Boston: July 4th Before Fireworks

Well, I think Shari was still working on this, but since she hasn't touched it since August, it is probably not going to change. I thought you would like the pictures, so if we get around to updating this, we will let you know. Enjoy!

We started off the morning thinking we were going to be late for the train, but a few pictures later show that we waited and waited. At first we thought that we had missed it, but then two other girls waiting said they had been waiting for a while. The train came an hour late. Apparently there was a car stuck on the tracks. The ticket person was even nice enough to give us a free ride for the inconvenience.
Do you think Oliver actually looked before crossing?

Aunt Kaye and the Boys! (waiting for the train)
Is it coming? Guess not.
We finally made it into Boston. Aren't they cute?
Ammon, Aunt Kaye and I decided to get breakfast while the rest of the crew watched the 4th of July Parade. Apparently the parade wasn't very long or exciting. However, they did see the Mayor place a wreath on the headstone of Samuel Adams in the Granary Cemetery.

While waiting in line to order our bagel breakfast, we were mesmerized by the automatic bagel slicer! This is the second video I took of the operation. A big fat guy walked right in front of the first one!


After breakfast we decided to walk the Freedom Trail from where it starts in Boston Common to the Old North Church. The Freedom Trail is a red trail-sometimes painted, sometimes red bricks in the pavement-that take you to many of the historical sites throughout Boston. The seal below is found throughout the trail.
Here we are, walking through the Boston Common to get to the first historical building on the trail.

The Boys climbed trees while Mike told us about the first building on the trail.

First stop: the State House. Not the greatest picture, but you can see Adrianne's family trying to take a family picture as well as a trolley up on the street, which is one of the many ways to tour Boston!
A little about the State House from the Freedom Trail web-site: Designed by Charles Bulfinch, the State House was completed on January 11, 1798, and widely acclaimed as one of the more magnificent and well-suited buildings in the country. The land for the building was originally used as John Hancock's cow pasture. The State House's golden dome, its most distinct feature, once made of wood was later overlaid with copper by Paul Revere. It was covered with 23 karat gold leaf for the first time in 1874 and painted black during World War II to protect the city from bombing attacks. The State House dome was most recently gilded in 1997.
In the court yard of Old City Hall, a statue of Benjamin Franklin stands as a reminder of his contributions to our early history. Interesting fact: this courtyard also serves as the entrance to a steak house...yum!


Here is King's Chapel. I like this picture because it looks like there is only "One way" to salvation . . . through church!