Day 4-5.
We
rise bright and early in order to keep driving up to Boston, with a pit stop on
the way in a small town in Rhode Island for lunch and gas refill. While there,
the Safeway checker must have noticed our west coast accents as she asked us
where we were visiting from; a reply of “Washington State” immediately brought
the words “Oh Apples!” from her mouth. We continued towards Boston, only taking
approximately 4 wrong turns until we finally made it to the downtown area, and
providentially found parking right near Paul Revere’s house. The skies were
gorgeous, offering sunlight and warmth in a strong contraction to our New York
experience. First day discoveries include: Paul Revere’s house, the Old North
Church, Faneuil Hall, Quincy market, and the fresh salty air floating in from
the wharf where nautical modes of transportation sat anchored. We stuffed
ourselves with some great New England fare, including clam chowder, pizza, Boston
cream pie, and shrimp pasta. Once back in the car, we drove down to see a
famous old ship from revolutionary times, when suddenly Kate decides lunch is
better out than in and Mom would be the perfect recipient for regurgitated clam
chowder. Needless to say, the car smells wonderful.
By this time, not only is
Kate sick, but Nathan is constantly coughing like an annoying maniac setting
everyone on the edge of sanity. Arrival at the hotel doesn’t help the situation
much, seeing as it’s just about the nastiest excuse for a place of lodging one could find. And
this isn’t a cheap $50 Super 8. No. This is supposedly a nice, over $100 a night,
charming and welcoming inn, at least according to the Priceline Negotiator. William Shatner? I'd like a word. Non-smoking? I do believe their definition differs from ours on that
count, as it wouldn’t have been unwarranted for us all to don face masks in an attempt to breathe, even if it would have put the locals on edge with thoughts
of Bird Flu flitting through their minds. To top it off, the first night there Mom hears domestic disputes going on in the next room, yelling and sounds
of punching wafting through the wall, enough that we almost called the cops but
the sounds ceased and a semblance of peace returned.
Next morning,
we headed back into Boston where we finished taking in the sights found on the
historic Freedom Trail and the New England Aquarium. After dinner and a short
rest, we drive into historic downtown Lexington, the site of the first shot of
the American Revolutionary War. You’d be hard pressed to find
a little town as perfect as that one. Especially when visiting at dusk and the
statues of Minute Men are warmly glowing from the lights strategically placed
at the base in order to illuminate some of our first American heroes. 
A drive around Harvard marks the end of our inhabitance of Boston, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia looms on the horizon...
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