Day 14

We'd decided the day before to try to make the 8ish train into the city in hopes of missing most of the morning rush trains the hour before. We got up early and ended up making it into the city a bit early for the Boston Tea Party experience. I enjoy the clash of old and new in a big city.





Before long, we were ushered into a meeting room to somewhat reenact the events the night of the uprising. We were all given roles with Laney being the newspaper journalist, I was a young man who had just been released from prison, Ryan was my brother Nathaniel who was to look after me this night. Our sister Sarah, was one of the people who dressed and painted the men. Brayden was Ebenezzer, a Boston south end gang leader, and Grammie was the youngest person present at 14. She had broken out as her boss had locked her up in a room so she wouldn't participate.

Samuel Adams inspired us with his speech as we booed, hissed, and huzzah-ed with outrage against the tax on tea. Before long we were making the walk to the ship more angry than ever and ready to destroy more than 300 crates of East India Company tea.

                                                      
Although they will not admit it to you today, there were three children who were caught hefting the tea overboard in an act of treason. Should you see these children, please let the King or his men know.

     

   

After a quick tour of the ship we were led into the museum which was one of the best parts of the experience. Photography was not allowed unfortunately, but this was definitely my favorite part of the experience.

Next we made our way to Boston Common to check in for the Freedom Trail walk. Everyone was excited to hear a bit more history with an interpreter from the time period. Our guide was a former slave who lived next door to Paul Revere and worked in a local tavern. She did a great job connecting the different buildings we walked past and telling stories about John Hancock, Peter Faneuil, and Samuel Adams from the perspective as a woman of color in that time.

                                                          

After spending some time in the sites where those men are buried, we ended up at the King's House where the Boston Massacre took place. The kids were amazed to be standing in the spot and in awe as she told the story.

We made sure to get a good view of the North Church where the lanterns were hung for the midnight ride of Paul Revere.

After finding a quick lunch we headed to the only place Ryan wanted us to make sure we would stop on the trip - Paul Revere's House. She had developed an interest in him early in the year so we've read many books and studied him quite a bit. The kids all completed activity books while we were there learning about the house and the time period.


                          

Our last stop of the day in the city was the Sky Walk. The view was spectacular as we walked around the top of the "Pru" and heard about the buildings below us.

And of course I had to get a picture of Fenway Park.

We found a quaint spot back in our little town for dinner with absolutely delicious food. Ryan entertained the table with some of her best impressions, bringing me to tears at one point. The kids were delighted to have their own lava cake desserts. After all that sugar, I threatened to send them all to the campground while Grammie and I went to her cottage while she threatened to leave them with the waiter.

With full bellies, the kids with me almost fell asleep on the way home as they brushed their teeth in the car. We were completely wiped out and all fell into bed to rest up for another busy day tomorrow.