"Free at last!" (The Freedom Trail and then some)

Saturday morning began bright and early....minus the bright.  In actuality, the day began with lots of clouds and a steady drizzle, but it turned out to be somewhat advantageous.  We had the city almost entirely to ourselves and were able to take in the sights without almost no distractions....it's the only way to see a historic graveyard!  We walked the entire Freedom Trail, and then some, and it was by far one the the most memorable parts of my time in Boston.  For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of experiencing it, the Freedom Trail is essentially a fool-proof avenue to see most of the great historic sights. I say it's fool-proof because it is marked by a big red line on the sidewalk that snakes through the city.  You literally just follow the red line! How great is that? 

 

We wrapped up the morning and our expedition with a heavenly brunch--I had some of the best eggs Benedict of my life--and then headed to the Copley Square and the exquisite Boston Public Library. (More pictures soon to follow!!)  Hope you enjoy the bits of the Freedom Trail I was fortunate enough to capture, and let me know what you think!

 

 

Shelby is quite the fan of mac n' cheese.

 

Quick, Whitney!  Look like a lobster!

 

 

 

Ship ahoy! 
Our explorations brought us to the USS Constitution, Old Ironside.

The above gravestone belongs to the woman thought to have inspired Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter".

 

Shelby and our cousin Katie, who lives in Boston--LUCKY!!

 

Memorial for the men and women who have died in the war in Iraq. So many dog tags. So grateful for their sacrifice.

 

Captured this in honor of my amazing mama, whose name just happens to be Kitty!

How's it going, Harvard?

One of the many perks of my job is that along with traveling to some amazing places myself, I am able to bring someone out to visit me over the weekend, rather than flying home.  Obviously, I wasn't going to pass that up when it came to my trip to Boston.  Spending the weekend with my sister was an experience I doubt I'll ever forget, and I'm so blessed to have shared that time with her.

We started early on Friday, taking the train into town from the airport.  I am one of those absurd individuals who loves public transportation, for all of the interesting people watching it affords me :)






After dropping off our bags at the hotel and throwing on some more comfortable shoes, we had a late lunch at Petit Robert Bistro, which we completed with this heavenly popover filled with ice cream and drenched with hot fudge.....Mmmmmm!!

Next, we were off to Caimbridge and the illustrious Harvard University campus!  I am not quite sure what I anticipated it to be like, but I found it to possess a comfortable familiarity that I can only attribute to it being a place of higher learning.  It made me miss the ease of the collegiate lifestyle....

John Harvard--Founder of Harvard University

 These doors looked like they might lead to Middle Earth....






 I have the best sister ever!  Always acting silly to make me laugh :)

 Since I had quite a few pictures of a fire hydrant from Arizona, I thought I might try to find one everywhere I go!

Memorial Hall.  I am pretty sure the building was supposed to be closed, but the random side door I pulled on was open, so in we went!  It was gorgeous.

 Center for European Studies

Yep.  I am a dork.

 Tiramisu and Cannolis at the famous Mike's Bakery. Yum!!

Harvard bookstore.  Felt a little like Hogwarts with the different houses' banners.