On the 4th of July we took the Number One bus north on Massachusetts Avenue for the twenty minute trip to Cambridge and the fable Harvard University. If you recall, about a month ago when I started blogging about our Boston trip I mentioned that the "unofficial" tour of the Freedom Trail was not the best way to go. That was true, but the "unofficial" tour of Harvard - run by the same bunch - is definitely the was to see Harvard. Due to "licensing" issues with the university - which I think involved Harvard getting a cut of the fees - this tour is technically free. That right - free! However, the "suggested" gratuity at the end of the tour is $10 per person or $20 per family. Being that there were two of us we had the option of paying $10 twice or $20 once. If you're ever in the neighborhood make it a point to stop by the Harvard campus and hang out with the "unofficial" tour kids. They were funny and informative. However, I did notice that one of them - although a Harvard student - did not know the correct usage of the word "set" vs. "sit".
After Harvard we took the Red Line subway out of Cambridge and headed for Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox do battle with the last-place Baltimore Orioles. Of course the Orioles killed the Bosox, but the trip to Fenway was fantastic! Walking from the subway stop to the Park was an experience that resembled a carnival. Once inside the sight of the Green Monster looming in left field gave me chills (well, considering it was almost 100 degrees maybe not actual chills). We were particularly impressed with the Boston fans, who sang God Bless America in the 7th inning at the top of their lungs. In addition, their enthusiastic rendition of Sweet Caroline was something to behold, as was the fact that nobody left early even though the Sox were losing 6-0 in the 9th inning. They eventually lost 6-1.
After the baseball game we went back to the North End for some more Italian food before heading down to the Esplanade along the Charles River for the gigantic Boston fireworks display. Or so we thought. Once we got into the throng of at least 500,000 people crammed into every square inch of space along the river we decided that between searching vainly for a spot to watch, probably not being able so see anything anyway, and the prospect of spending several hours escaping through the overwhelming sea of surging humanity after the show that we'd pass on the fireworks this time around. As we struggled through the throngs on our way back to the subway we were amazed by the thousands of people who were on their way down to the Esplanade, knowing that there was not a single blade of exposed grass remaining to be claimed.
On Tuesday we headed out of town to visit Salem, home of the famous witch trials in the 17th century. The witch thing turned out to be a bust - there was a cheesy witch museum that we skipped. But we did hit the Salem Customs House where Nathanial Hawthorne was employed as a customs officer when he came up with the idea for The Scarlet Letter. We also checked out some of the other historical buildings, the docks, and the large restored sailing ship that was docked near the Customs House. The problem that we eventually succumbed to was the heat, which actually hit 99 degrees. Our solution was to head north to the seaside town of Gloucester, where we managed to attached ourselves to a whale watching tour that was leaving just as we arrived. As whale watching tours go, this was a top ten experience. We saw at least 30 whales, some of them 70 feet long. Vicki got lots of pictures, all of which looking strangely the same - vast expanse of blue water with a black dot near the center.
On Wednesday we went north to Plymouth, home of the famous Plymouth Rock, which the truth be told could just as aptly be called Plymouth Stone. As famous rock go, it's not exactly the Rock of Gibraltar. It more like something that would fit inside one of those plastic kiddy swimming pools. Near the rock is a rebuilt replica of the Mayflower, which is only 102 feet long. Standing on it you get a sense for just how bad the Pilgrims wanted to leave their former digs for the New World. Anyone who would get on such a small boat to sail across the Atlantic Ocean must have had nothing to lose, except breakfast, lunch and dinner when they got seasick.
After the rock and the boat we headed for Plimoth Plantation (yes, its spelled differently). The Plantation is a recreation of the original town site that the the Pilgrims built on land that they stole from the locals when they arrived. It was a fascinating place, even though air-conditioning was not available. After Plymouth/Plimoth we drove up the coast for some sight-seeing, stopping at the town of Rockport for one last taste of lobster. Rockport is a quaint little town with the ruins of an old colonial fort in its harbor and a guy playing the violin for tips.
Well, that's about it. On Wednesday we headed home. All in all it was a great trip. We would highly recommend Boston as a vacation destination. Pictures below . . .
One last note that you need to know. In Massachusetts there is no sales tax on clothes. It was weird buying a $15 shirt and actually paying $15 for it.
Vicki and I in Rockport at sunset.
The citizens of Plimoth Plantation.
Plymouth Rock (note the "1620")
The tale of a whale.
Rockport Harbor (below)
Vicki and one of the witches in Salem.
Aboard the whale watching boat.Fenway.
Vicki at Harvard (below)
