New England Highlights

We spent the last several days in New England visiting Boston, Cape Cod, Plimouth Plantation, Lexington and Concord. The weather here has been terrific! We took the subway to downtown Boston and walked the 2 1/2 mile Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail includes sites and buildings of the critical events in Boston and the nation's struggle for freedom. Do you remember the history when the colonists were getting taxed and not being represented in the parliament? The colonists finally had enough and stood up to Great Britain. And most of the action happened in or around Boston... We saw the graves of John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. We took a harbor cruise out to the USS Constitution - Old Ironsides - which was one of the first American Navy ships. After that, we saw the Old North Church where they hung the famous lanterns (one if by land and two if by sea) and the house of the midnight rider Paul Revere. There were so many interesting things to see, but these were a few of our favorites...

We then went back in time, to the founding of our country, and met the English colonists and the Wampanoag Indians at Plimoth Plantation. They were all in full dress from the year 1627. The colonists stayed in character and talked and acted as if they lived in 1627. When we asked if they would take a picture with us, they would stare and ask us what a picture was. We asked them questions about what life was like back in 1627. We were able to look inside their homes and work places and see how they did things. We watched a blacksmith make a nail by fire and another do beautiful carving in wood with 17 century tools. The guy who did the woodworking used absolutely no power tools. We all really enjoyed the plantation and learned more about our Pilgrims. They worked very hard and endured so much to come to America for freedom of religion. We finished the day by going on the Mayflower II, which is a replica of the original ship that our first settlers traveled on. It was so amazing to visualize how these brave men and women traveled in a ship this small - there were 130 people on this small ship!! Small beds, tight quarters, little food, and livestock only a few feet away - WOW!

Another day was spent in Lexington and Concord where the first shots were fired between the colonists and the British. It was also the place that Paul Revere and two others rode at midnight to warn the Minute Men (farmers and other men of the town) that the British Regulars were coming. It was amazing how our forefathers left their homes, came out to fight for their freedom and to save their land. It was very heroic of these men to stand up against the well trained British Army. They were able to force the British back to Boston. It gave the colonists great encouragement to continue the fight for independence. One of our favorite places to see this day was the North Bridge, where "the first shot was heard around the world". There is also a beautiful statue commemorating the Minute Men.

We wrapped up the day by visiting "The Wayside". This home gained its fame in the 1800s through three literary families: Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Whitney. The home way pretty run down, but it was interesting to see where all of these great writers lived and created their literary works....

That's it for now. Thanks for checking in on us... Blessings, The Miners