John and Kylee: Boston Days 1

This Boston trip was amazing! I loved it so much. Maybe my favorite trip of the year? I loved it so much more than I thought it would. When MCO announced this tour I wasn't that thrilled. Going to Boston sounded interesting, but it wasn't especially high on my list. I was much more interested in going to Costa Rica in September. Plus the Boston trip was just seeming expensive. And it was. Our flights got cancelled right before our trip, and we ended up having more convenient flights but a more expensive rental car. It all worked out, but it definitely wasn't cheap.

John did the heavy lifting for this trip. He did so much research and planning, which takes so much longer than you'd think. It was a lot of work for him, but I have to say he did a great job.

We left Utah on Darcy's birthday! It was so weird to leave not first thing in the morning, but it was nice to get things cleaned up and packed up nicely. Our flights went well, and the rental car pick up was easy. Darcy told me that day, "If you knew how much I loved you, your heart would explode with laughing."

Darcy got Poppy the Penguin for her birthday so she brought it on the trip to be her special snuggle buddy.

The next day was a our first real day in Boston. We went to church first at a nearish chapel. We ended up showing up for some kind of special ward (Jamaican?) so we went to another ward's Sunday School and then just to the first part of Sacrament meeting. It was fun to listen to these members of this ward. There was an older lady that said a comment I don't think I'll ever forget. She said that she is scared of getting older and losing her filter. So then every mean or petty thing will come out of her mouth. She is trying to purify herself on the inside so that only nice and righteous things will come out when she is older. Yikes, I don't want to know all of terrible things I am going to thing and then say when I am older.

Afterwards, we went to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. It was cool to be on Harvard Campus. It seems very grand and matchy matchy. The Natural History Museum was so fun. We love those kinds of museums. It was funny that they didn't have a proper parking lot. We just had to drive around until we found street parking. I guess they are mainly expecting visitors to be students?

We really loved the mineral and gem collection. It was just case after case of startling cool rocks. You could glance quickly at them, but the longer you looked at each one, the cooler it was. It was a progression from "that's a lot of interesting shaped and colored rocks" to "wow, every single one of these is pretty dang cool." The naturally occurring shapes, patterns, and colors are truly astounding if you take time to notice them. We spent way too long looking at case after case of minerals and gems.

According to their website they have thousands of minerals and gems. They have some of Earth’s oldest minerals such as zircon crystals that have survived intact for 4.3 billion years! Some of the stones date back to the beginning of the solar system.

Of course the giant amethyst was a hit. It is over 1,600 lbs.

Harvard has a fantastic collection of Maine's famous tourmaline. The different colors are so fun.

Like this triangle really occurred in nature??!

It was hard to take decent photos of these cases without shadowing them, but everyone really liked this case of birthstones. It showed them in there more natural state and after polished and set in jewelry.

In addition to the fun minerals and gems, there were lots of other exhibits. There was a whole room of Cenozoic mammals.

This skeleton is the world’s only mounted Kronosaurus, a 42-foot-long prehistoric marine reptile

This is one of the first triceratops skulls ever found.

These little girls have really been into The Lion King. So seeing a little Simba was so much fun.

The Great Mammal Hall was so much fun. We saw a full-sized giraffe, a bison, a narwhal, and three whale skeletons suspended from the rafters. Some creatures on display here, such as the Steller’s sea cow, have now become extinct.

One of the most noteworthy exhibits is the the internationally acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, better known as the “Glass Flowers." This unique collection was made by Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolf Blaschka (1857-1939), a father and son team of Czech glass artists. Over fifty years, from 1886 through 1936, the Blaschkas produced 4,300 glass models that represent 780 plant species. It was astounding. I couldn't believe that they were all made of glass. The intricate models were truly fantastic. It was interesting to see not only because of the beauty but also because of the scientific models of the different parts of the plants. It was truly an effort in science not just art.

After the natural history museum, we went to Costco to get groceries for the trip. This is a nice money saving hack that works well for us. Ready made food at Costco is so fast and much cheaper than eating out every meal. Particularly their salad kits are always a hit with our family. That first night we ate pot stickers which seemed fun because we never eat those at home.

The next day was a BUSY one. We started out with the the first section of the Freedom Trail. We went from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail is 2.5 miles long which doesn't sound too bad, but it was hot when we were there. The heat and humidity was no joke. We started in Boston Common, which is the oldest park in the US. It was established in 1634. It is about 50 acres which has been used for many purposes over the years. Originally the Puritan colonists bought the land from William Blackstone, the first European settler in Boston. The Common was originally a pasture for local livestock. Eventually it was also used for public hangings, militia formations, and other executions In the 19th century, Bostonians added trees, fountains, and statuary. The Common's original hills and ponds were leveled, and cows were banned. They used the soil from the hills in Boston common to extend the land out into the bay. The Common's western edge was filled and transformed into the Boston Public Garden by 1836

Uses throughout history:

Revolution: The Colonial militia mustered for the Revolution on the Common

Civil War: The Common was used for Civil War recruitment and anti-slavery meetings

World War I: Victory gardens were planted on the Common

World War II: The Common gave away most of its iron fencing for scrap metal

Civil rights: The Common was the site of anti-Vietnam War and civil rights rallies, including one led by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Such old cemeteries.

This is the Embrace Sculpture which commemorates the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King who met and went to school in Boston.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is dedicated to soldiers and sailors of Massachusetts who died in the Civil War.

One of the images on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

The Freedom Trail starts in Boston Common. It was so fun to see the actual trail in the sidewalk to follow. It is just a path two bricks laid side by side that leads you along this journey through history.

The Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial commemorates one of the first Black fighting units to serve in the American Civil War. Through their bravery at Fort Wagner, the 54th helped erode northern public opposition to the use of Black soldiers and inspired the enlistment of nearly 200,000 African Americans during the war.

Massachusetts State house is one of the oldest capitol buildings in the country. It was completed in 1798 and cost $133,333 to build. Ha, if only our little house only cost that much to build. Although, in todays money that would be close to 3.5 million dollars, which to be honest still seems like a good deal.

How on earth did they get bricks inside this tree to close it up to damage?

Park Street Church. The church was founded in 1809, at the corner of Park and Tremont Streets, atop the site of Boston’s town grain storage building, or granary. Designed by Peter Banner, the 217 ft. steeple of Park Street Church was once the first landmark travelers saw when approaching Boston. A number of "firsts" promoting American freedom, human rights, and social justice took place in this historic Downtown Boston landmark, including William Lloyd Garrison's first major speech in Boston against slavery in 1829.

Old Granary Burying Ground, one of Boston's earliest historic sites, dates from 1660. Due to all the famous patriots and Revolutionary War heroes buried here, it is sometimes called the "Westminster Abbey" of Boston. The graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and the Boston Massacre victims are here.

In the month or so leading up to going to Boston, we watched an old TV series on Youtube called Liberty's Kids. It was a fun, kid-friendly way to learn about the Revolutionary War. Plus that song at the start is real catchy. :) It was nice for me to have a refresher on who all these people were and how things happened.

For example, in the Old Granary Burying Ground is buried Samuel Adams. Samuel Adams was an influential player in this area. He was a political revolutionary and wrote fiery protests to the different taxes being placed on the colonies. When the Boston Tea Party happened, Adams wrote, "You cannot imagine the height of joy that sparkles in the eyes and animates the countenances as well as the hearts of all we meet on this occasion." Samuel Adams signed the Declaration of Independence, and even nominated George Washington to be the position of Commander and Chief in the Continental Army. After the revolution Adams became governor of Massachusetts. It makes you wonder what the stories are of all of the people are that are buried there.

John Hancock's grave

M. Margaret Lock 1736

Paul Revere's Grave. The little stone next to it says "Revere's Tomb." I guess back then they just cut to the chase.

Paul Revere died in 1818 so this is over 200 years old.

Some of these old gravestones are so ornate. The weirdest thing to me is the skull and crossbones decorations. Were they pirates? Are they trying to make sure it is forefront in our brains that the person is dead, and there is a skeleton? So weird.

The biggest monument has "Frankin" on it, which is not for Benjamin Franklin. It is for his parents, which is kind of sweet.

Samuel Adams

Boston Massacre Victims Grave

Next to the Old Granary Burying Ground is the King's Chapel and Burying Ground. It was established 1686 as the first Anglican church in New England. It houses the oldest pulpit still in continuous use (completed in 1754). The bell which was forged in England in 1772, cracked in 1814. It was recast by Paul Revere in 1816, and that bell still rings today.

King's Chapel Burying Ground was Boston Proper's first burying ground. It's residents include John Winthrop (he lived from 1588 - 1649 and was first Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony) and Mary Chilton (the first woman to step off the Mayflower). According to custom, the first interment in King’s Chapel Burying Ground was that of the land’s original owner, Isaac Johnson.

Joseph Tapping’s stone in the front of the burying ground, where a skeleton and Father Time battle over the eventuality of death, may be Boston’s most beautiful headstone!

The next stop was Boston Latin School, founded on April 23, 1635. It the oldest public school in America. It offered free education to boys - rich or poor - while girls attended private schools at home. Until the completion of the schoolhouse in 1645, classes were held in the home of the first headmaster, Philemon Pormont. A mosaic and a statue of former student Benjamin Franklin currently marks the location of the original schoolhouse. Ironically, Benjamin Franklin dropped out. Thankfully the modern iteration of this school now admits girls also.

The Old Corner Bookstore is a Chipotle these days, which is just befuddling to me. How is Massachusetts State Park department not all over this as a historical monument? I don't get it. Constructed in 1718, the Old Corner Bookstore is downtown Boston’s oldest commercial building and was home to the 19th-century publishing giant Ticknor and Fields, producer of many venerable American titles including Thoreau’s Walden, Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Longfellow's Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, and the Atlantic Monthly including Ward Howe's Battle Hymn of the Republic. Saved from demolition in 1960, the building’s leases help subsidize important historic preservation projects in Boston’s neighborhoods. Well, there you go, the lease is helping pay for other historic preservations.

Kiddie corner to the Old Corner Bookstore is the the Old South Meeting House. (Don't you like how so many of these historic sites have the word "Old" in the title.) The Old South Meeting House was the largest building in colonial Boston. It was the stage for some of the most dramatic events leading up to the American Revolution.

During the colonial period, members of Old South’s congregation included African-American poet Phillis Wheatley who published a book in 1773 while she was enslaved; patriot leaders Samuel Adams and William Otis; William Dawes, who rode with Paul Revere to Lexington in 1775; and the young Benjamin Franklin and his family.

Old South became the center for massive public protest meetings against British actions in colonial Boston from 1768-75. Patriots and Loyalists alike met to argue and inform, to protest the impressment of sailors into the King’s navy, and to commemorate the bloody Boston Massacre of 1770. Yet it was the series of meetings that culminated on December 16, 1773 that sealed Old South’s fate as one of this country’s most significant buildings. On that day, over 5,000 men crowded into the meeting house to hotly debate the controversial tea tax. When the final attempt at compromise failed, Samuel Adams gave the signal that started the Boston Tea Party. The Sons of Liberty led the way to Griffin’s Wharf, where they dumped 342 chests of tea into the frigid harbor.

Next was the Old State House. Through Massacre, Revolution, and fire, the Old State House stands as the oldest surviving public building in Boston. Built in 1713, the building served as the center of civic, political, and business life.

Directly in front of the state house is the site of the Boston Massacre. On March 5, 1770, after months of tensions due to occupation and taxation, Bostonians and Redcoats clashed in the streets of Boston. What ended with five civilians killed by gunfire, Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr, led to the rallying of Bostonians against the Crown and the evacuation of troops in Boston. They would not return until 1774. The British soldiers were tried for murder and were defended by John Adams, and they were found not guilty.

One thing about Boston that we found fascinating was the changing geography over time. It used to have hills around the harbor, but over time that dirt was pulled down to extend the land. The shallow water around the bay made the loading and unloading of ships difficult. So they extended their shores to increase their shipping capabilities. This also helped with drainage and other things.

Last for the Freedom Trail this day was Faneuil Hall, which apparently I didn't get a photo of. I thought this synopsis of Faneuil Hall was interesting though:

Built as a center of commerce in 1741, Faneuil Hall is where the Sons of Liberty proclaimed their dissent against Royal oppression. Faneuil Hall has served as an open forum meeting hall and marketplace for more than 270 years and has continued to provide a stage for debate on the most consequential issues of the day. It was at Faneuil Hall in 1764 that Americans first protested against the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, setting the doctrine that would come to be known as "no taxation without representation." Gatherings to protest the Townshend Acts, the Redcoat occupation, and the Tea Act would follow. The most famous weathervane in Boston is Faneuil Hall’s golden grasshopper created by acclaimed craftsman Shem Drowne, whose weathervane also tops the Old North Church. Tradition has it that the weathervane was used during the War of 1812 to spot spies. Anyone who did not know the answer to the question "What is on top of Faneuil Hall?" in those days invited suspicion. Frequent naturalization ceremonies are held in the Great Hall at Faneuil Hall to swear in between 300 to 500 new citizens as they take the Oath of Allegiance. Quincy Center and Faneuil Hall Marketplace are located adjacent to historic Faneuil Hall and offers popular shopping and dining destinations in restored 19th-century buildings.

Next we went on a Boston Harbor City Cruise. This was so much fun. We got to enjoy the breeze, scenery, hear jokes and interesting facts, and we even ate lunch. :) I am trying to remember some of the things we heard. This is where we heard about how much they manually changed the shoreline of Boston. We also heard a lot about warfs and piers, which is funny because I just googled it, and what I am reading is definitely not ringing a bell with what we were told. What I remember is that wharf and pier are most often used incorrectly, or maybe they are named incorrectly in Boston? A wharf is built more sturdily I think? Like maybe it is built on dirt or concrete, and a pier is built on wooden posts?

We also learned that Boston shoreline is still changing. There are new buildings being built into the bay. I wonder how that works as far as the homeowners that previously had a waterfront location now has a building in front of it. Seems a little sketchy.

Another interesting story was about Spectacle Island out in the bay that Bostonians used as a dump from 1921 to 1959. 350 tons of waste was brought to the island daily. In this time, the island grew by almost 36-acres. The dump on Spectacle Island sat exposed, with trash seeping into the harbor. Apparently the water became very polluted. The abandoned island produced so much methane gas by the 1960s that underground fires broke out and burned for many years. In 1992 the "Big Dig" began in Boston. The Central Artery/Tunnel Project brought sediment to Spectacle Island to cap off the landfill and turn the island from an abandoned garbage dump to a park.

The Big Dig was interesting to learn about. The project had two main goals: to alleviate traffic on an overburdened, elevated highway that had begun deteriorating, and to extend I-90 from south of downtown Boston. To achieve these goals, engineers planned to create an underground highway mostly consisting of tunnels. The project quickly became one of the most expensive and complicated in the world. Construction began in 1991 and finished in 2006, eight years behind schedule. The project cost nearly 15 billion dollars when finished, instead of the projected 2.6 billion.

Once finished, the tunnels did alleviate congestion. Carbon emissions in Boston dropped by 12% because cars were moving instead of idling in traffic. The project also included the Zakim Bridge—which has become an iconic part of the Boston skyline—and the Ted Williams Tunnel, which runs under Boston Harbor and connects Downtown Boston to Logan Airport.

The Big Dig also created 300 acres of green spaces. The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway replaced the old highway with its lush vegetation and park spaces. Spectacle Island, Millennium Park, and Memorial Stadium Park received soil from the Big Dig, which excavated more than 16 million cubic yards of soil. Almost a quarter of that dirt went to Spectacle Island. This influx of soil transformed the landscape of the island into what visitors see today.

Fort Independence on Castle Island

USS Constitution "Old Ironsides"

It was interesting to hear about Long Wharf that extended out into the harbor from Faneuil Hall for a 1/2 a mile. In this photo we are standing near the end of the wharf, and you can see the golden top of Faneuil Hall above our heads.

Next on the agenda on this busy was to go the the Aquarium which was right next to where the harbor cruise let us off. John did such a good job planning this trip! We kind of threw this activity on as just a bonus, but it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the trip. This was because of these penguins. Right when you walk into the aquarium there is a huge Penguin exhibit that you see first. These African Penguins were just so fun to watch. The aquarium workers had placed mats on these rocks for some reason (traction? stimulation? soft nesting?), but these African Penguins just used them as toys. They carted them around and tried to make a big pile. But they weren't 100% successful with it, which was so funny to watch. They tried to pick up the mats with their beaks but would be standing on top of it. This was especially fun because Darcy has a thing for penguins because of the stories I tell her about Poppy the Penguin. We loved it!

The giant aquarium pillar in the middle of the building was so fun. It was several stories tall and quite large around.

The giant green sea turtles were the main attraction in the main pillar. There were two, and they were both so massive.

The other smaller exhibits like the sea horses were fun too.

Octopi are so weird, but cool.

We love the sea anemones.

Once we got to the top of the pillar, we heard a fun presentation about the different animals. I loved to hear about the sea turtles. The bigger of the sea turtles is named Myrtle, and she is 530 lbs. Whoa. They told us that they don’t know how old sea turtles can get. Some have been documented living as long as 150 years. They are the longest living vertebrates on Earth.

North Atlantic right whale skeleton. There are only about 430 individuals of this species still around. In the past they were hunted nearly to extinction for their meat and oil. In fact, the name right whale comes from the fact that they were considered the right whale to hunt, due to their slow movements and the fact that they float after they’re killed. Fortunately, they are now protected from whaling worldwide.

The ray touching tank was a little scary but fun. The rays are leathery to the touch!

Boston Customs House. This iconic 492-foot structure has been a central part of the Boston skyline for over 100 years.

After the aquarium we headed back next to Faneuil Hall to Quincy Market. This was such a tourist destination, but was so fun. We tried a bunch of local, iconic, fancy foods: lobster roll, clam chowder, fish and chips, and a dessert waffle. The girls got a smoothie and chocolate ice cream. Right outside we also bought matching Boston shirts which I have zero regrets about. :)

And last for the day was the View Boston Observation Deck. This felt like such a posh place to go. Red carpet and everything. There were so many cool exhibits. I loved the holographic room where they showed different facts about different sites in Boston. We stayed there a while and enjoyed the sunset.