Boston Trip – Day Four: Boston, Lexington, and Concord

Unlike yesterday, where it was cold and windy, today we woke up to tropical conditions, which would soon soar to almost ninety degrees before 11am. Unfortunately, today was mostly spent outside, and not many were aware of the conditions outdoors, which made for a rather hot bunch.

After an on-your-own breakfast, we were piled onto the bus and introduced to a nice old man who was described as a "veritable encyclopedia of the Boston and New England area", which indeed turned out to be true. Mr. Kelly, an 86-year-old tour-guide, told us more things about monster-sized lobsters, Quincy Market, and Boston in general that many of us did not know.

Most of the day, however, was spent reviewing the Revolutionary history of Boston and the surrounding area, focusing on the Battle of Bunker Hill, the "shot heard ‘round the world" at Lexington and Concord, and the famous Ride of Paul Revere. Also, we visited "Old Ironsides", also known as the USS Constitution.

The most fascinating part, to me at least, was visiting a very old graveyard. While that seems morbid, seeing the old tombstones, a tangible part of history from so many years – almost 200 years ago – was amazing to me. We were walked around the green where the battle of Lexington was fought, and did a very silly reenactment of it, aided by Mr. Maxson.

Then not too much later, after briefly visiting Christ Church, where the famous lanterns were lit, and also to Harvard and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s home, we were in Concord, and traveled the route of the militiamen as they bravely warded off the British from their families, and for freedom. There, a group of us "met" Mr. Henry David Thoreau, and a few of us girls gave our opinions on his book, at the same time asking him why he wrote what he did.

It was really very hilarious.

We attempted to go to Walden Pond, but because of it’s popularity, and the day’s hot weather, too many people were attempting to visit and go swimming, so we had to turn the bus around before we could get close enough to even see the pond itself. We returned to the hotel, and were given a sizable amount of time to be on our own, with a small group headed to the Hard Rock Café, others to the Cheesecake Factory, but many to the Prudential Center, and the mall there.

Later tonight, we’ll attend a performance of Shear Madness, which we hope will be as good as the Pops last night.

~The Emilys