Headin' to Boston

Monday, October 15
We packed up on a wet, cool morning and headed out of our campground. We really enjoyed our two-week stay in New Brunswick. As with most areas we visit, there was lots left to see so a return trip is not out of the question. but it was time to move on. We are heading down the East Coast of the US and today we begin that journey.

The sun came out and the forecast winds stayed within reason so the trip south to the border was pleasant. We crossed at St Stephen NB / Calais, Maine. The friendly border guard asked to see inside the trailer. He had a quick 2 minute look around and then wished us a good trip. He actually never asked any questions regarding fresh fruits, veggies, meat, or booze. We had purged ourselves of all that anyway so it was almost disappointing that he didn't ask!

Just one more fall view around Sussex!

The reversing Rapids in Saint John were about the same height and direction as they were the last time we were in town. This is about mid-tide.

The road to Maine

The road in Maine. Nice fall colours here too!

We stopped for cheaper diesel fuel just inside Maine then headed toward Bangor on Hwy 9. A pretty good road, just a bit narrow and hilly in places but overall a nice scenic drive through a new state for us.

We joined up with I95 South at Bangor and drove another hour or so south to Augusta. We stopped to shop at Walmart and spent a very rainy night in their lot.

Tuesday, October 16
I checked with our campground near Boston and check in was not until 3 PM which they seemed to enforce. So we didn't leave too early from Augusta. We had a choice of no toll Hwy 295 or stay on I95 and pay about a $10 dollar toll that took us all the way to Massachusetts. It was pretty windy and thought staying on the Interstate protected by forests on both sides was preferable to the more open coast along Hwy 295 so we made a toll donation to the State of Maine and stayed on I95.

We checked into our campground, Normandy Farms Family Campground about 2:30. No issues checking in, but at $60 USD/night it had better be perfect!

Wednesday, October 17
We headed into downtown Boston today. The campground advised us to drive to a Metro station, then take the train into Downtown. That was good advice. It took about a half hour to drive to the Metro, then another 30 minutes on the train to get us right into the heart of Boston. Truck parking was $6/day, and the Metro was $2.75 each one way. That is a great deal and sure saves stress!

So much history in Boston it was impossible to see it all in a day, but we tried to catch the highlights. We decided to take a self-guided walking tour. We had hoped to take a hop-on/hop-off bus but all the tickets for two days were snapped up by the cruise lines for their passengers. Anyway, we walked the Freedom Trail. It is easy to follow as the trail is marked on all the sidewalks with red bricks. Although all you really had to do was follow the crowds.

The Massachusetts State Government house

Lots of these folks taking groups on walking tours.

Boston is a city of contrasts. Beautiful historic buildings and modern high rises side by side.

Park Street Church with its 217 foot steeple. The chimes play on the hour.

We took a walk through the burying grounds (or cemetery as we would call them today). Paul Revere is buried here, among others.

This is the Granary Burying Grounds. There are 2,345 grave markers but they estimate over 5,000 people are buried here.

Samuel Adams grave

A mass grave for the victims of the Boston Massacre in 1770. This was one of the flash points for the Revolution.

Boston is full of beautiful architecture.

A close up of the balcony.

Some buildings have not survived but monuments are sometimes placed in the sidewalk. This was the site of the Boston Latin School. Benjamin Franklin was a student here.

Benjamin Franklin

Statue commemorating the Irish Potato Famine 

The Old South Meeting House where plans for the Boston Tea Party were formulated, as well as many other important historical meetings.

The Old South Meeting House

Site of the Boston Massacre is emblazoned on the sidewalk. Five residents were killed by British troops. Another spark to fuel discontent with the British.

The Old State House. Built in 1713 it was the scene of many meetings and confrontations between colonists and royalists.

Samuel Adams, the organizer of the Revolution.

One of the buildings that make up the Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Remember the Cheers TV show? So there are two Cheers locations. This one, which is a mockup located in the Feneuil Marketplace and the real one which is a few miles from here. 

Merri-go-round near the wharf. It had some interesting animals like hawks, owls, rabbits and puppies to ride on.

The waterfront.

Nice to have toilets provide.....but really....coin operated and Out of Order!!

Musical entertainment in the Marketplace

Part of the Faneuil Marketplace. There were dozens of shops and restaurants.

The Metro

By late afternoon we had seen enough so we headed out on the Metro back to our parking lot. We were right in the middle of rush hour and our 30 minute drive this morning stretched into well over an hour. Lots of stop and go. We did get out of the traffic to buy some groceries on the way home and pick up some supper. It was well after dark when we got back to the trailer.

......and that was Our View From Here!