October 27, 2010

Four Days in Boston (Day 2)

Coming off an awesome Day One, Day Two started with a taxi ride (Caleb’s first) to Charlestown Navy Yard where we planned on seeing the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Launched in 1797, she fought the Barbary Pirates off the coast of Tripoli, and is probably most famous for role in the War of 1812. Sailors aboard “Old Ironsides” witnessed British cannonballs bouncing off her wooden sides.

During the cab ride, we heard on the radio that it was the ship’s 213th birthday, and the Navy had taken her out for a sail. We were worried that we wouldn’t get to see the ship, but it worked out perfectly. She came back while we were there.

Upon entering the harbor, she fired her canons multiple times. It was crazy loud. After it docked and we toured the museum, we got to go aboard Old Ironsides. She’s an absolutely gorgeous ship.

That afternoon we took a Duck boat ride with Wes and Kayla. The Duck boats are the old amphibious landing vehicles from WW2 that have been repurposed to offer tourists a quicker overview of Boston’s historical sites.

Caleb volunteered to drive it in the Charles River, then he volunteered me to drive it too. I did it for the kids.

After a relaxing dinner, we all slept well after a busy day with lots of walking.