2018 Sept 2 Boston

US Constitution with Bunker Hill monument in the background.  Launched in 1797 in Boston.  Named by George Washington.  She is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat.  Was instrumental in the war of 1812 against Britain.  Nicknamed Old Ironsides.  Navy shipmen can serve for 3 years on this ship.  

Below, we drove by as a photo shoot was taking place.  If you look close, a binder clip is holding her skirt tight in the back.

Below is Faneuil Hall.  Built in 1742 by Peter Faneuil, Boston's wealthiest merchant, as a gift to the city.  Samuel Adams rallied the citizens of Boston to the cause of independence from Great Britain in this hall, and George Washington toasted the nation there on its first birthday.

Paul Revere's home.

Interior of Old North Church.  Made famous by Paul Revere's midnight ride and , "one if by land and  two if by sea."  The evening of April 18, 1775, the church sexton climbed the steeple and held high 2 lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea.

Massachusetts state capitol.

The bar that was used for the sitcom Cheers.  The actual filming was done in a studio in Los Angeles, but some outside scenes were filmed here.  The owner was given the rights to market Cheers memorabilia.  He became very wealthy selling Cheers shirts.

Below a mix of old and new.  The modern sky scraper is the tallest in New England.

Below is Harvard University.  We drove around Massachusetts Institute of Technology also.  These 2 universities are just a few miles apart in Cambridge.  Both universities cost about $60,000 a year, and are very difficult to get into.

A very wealthy Bostonian woman donated the funds to build this Harvard library, but insisted that it never be changed.  When the building ran out of space, they dug out below the building to expand.

Small sail boats lined up for a race as we crossed from Cambridge back to Boston over the Charles River on our way back to our RV park.

Plane landing at Boston's Logan Airport while we were taking the Boston Harbor tour.

Below is John Henry's $90 million yacht.  He's the owner of the Red Sox.

2018 Sept 1 Montecello & Luray

Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Original plantation had 5000 acres.  At his death at 83, Jefferson was in deep debt.  Plantation along with all of the 200 slaves were sold to pay off the debt.  Jefferson had a black slave as a mistress, Sally Hemings.  Below are Jefferson's and Sally's descendants at a reunion at Monticello.

Jefferson's grave.  At the base are thousands of nickels that people have thrown through the gate.

Luray is in Northern, Virginia.  Absolutely spectacular.  Discovered in 1878.  They've done a great job with walk ways and lights.  There is also an organ that sounds off of the stalactites and the sound is amazing.

Coins are collected once a year from this wishing pool and donated to local charities.  Almost $2 million has been collected.

Randolph Macon Military Academy in Front Royal, Virginia.  Cliff attended his Sophomore year in High School here in 1958.  60 years later this school is still going strong with 300 students.

Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts near our campground. Home of the New England Patriots.

Our Historic East Coast RV tour starts in Boston.  The first day was visiting Lexington Green where the Revolutionary War began on April 19th, 1775.   Above the famous Minuteman statute.  

Couldn't help but take a picture of this church, built soon after the fight that took place on Lexington Green.

North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts.  Major battle between the British and Colonialists was here.  They "fired the shot heard round the world."  Colonialists won.  Yea!!

Louisa May Alcott's home in Concord.  She wrote Little Women.  Her family was very poor until she published her book in 1868, then they did very well.

Cliff and I took a side trip to Fall River, Massachusetts.  On Battleship Cove, the US Massachusetts is docked.  Launched in 1941.  Served in both the Atlantic and Pacific during WW II.  Decommissioned in 1947.  In an effort to spare the battleship from scrapping, citizens of Massachusetts pooled resources to raise money to save the ship.

Captains dining hall above.  Sleeping quarters below.

Above the Lionfish submarine.  Launched in 1943.  Served in the Pacific during WWII.  Below showing the missile torpedo tubes.

Cliff is asking me how he's suppose to crawl through this opening in this submarine.