Boston, MA

New York to Boston via Connecticut is about 3.5 to 4 hour drive, but just as we crossed the Massachusetts  border we went and visited Bluey's buddy Joey, and his family. While at Joey's we met his Chickens, Goats, Ducks, Dogs, Cats and Pigs! After that, we went and had an early dinner with them. Later that night, after an hours drive to our hotel - that turned into a 2 hour drive with the Boston traffic -  Bailey, Bluey and I went to Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in baseball (it turned 100 this year) with Joey and his daughter to see the Boston Red Sox play the NY Yankees.

The historic Fenway Park

Celebrating it's 100th Birthday this year

Fenway Park was definitely one of the best ballparks we have been to for nostalgia but short on the glitz & glamour of the newer stadiums. Fortunately for us, the Red Sox came out with a win in the 9th innings.

Our seats overlooked the Boston Bullpen

Bluey with his mate, Joey

Jacoby Ellsbury getting the game winning hit in the bottom of the 9th innings

Yesterday was pretty cruisy, we took the subway into Boston, got off and walked to the original bar out of the old TV show 'Cheers' and had lunch there.

....where everybody knows your name

We then walked the 'Freedom Trail' through Boston, which takes you to the 16 main historic sites of the city from the period of this cities fight for independence from the British. Nearing the end of the trail, I wasn't feeling good, so we stopped off in the area of the City Hall. As we were looking around there we spotted stairs down to a cool looking bar. The plan was to stay for 1 beer but we ended staying for 4! We had a great waitress, Emily that Genna got chatting with. Genna was so impressed with the bar, she even got a picture of Emily behind the bar of 'The Hideout'.

Emily behind the bar of The Hideout

When we got back we tried to go bowling only to find every lane in the joint was booked out! We ended up having dinner in their before going home.

Unfortunately I am stuck in the hotel room today as I was too sick to go out with everyone. Hopefully I'll be better by tomorrow! Whilst I was laid up for the day, Genna, Bluey & Bailey headed into down town Boston for a tour of the sights. They hopped on a trolley which had 9 stops around the city with commentary from experienced locals who were able to give an insight into historical events and folklore from the oldest part of this country. They were enjoying the commentary that much, that they decided they would do the complete circuit before starting to get on & off the trolley to take a closer look around. Their first stop was at the oldest building still standing in Boston. It was the house where Paul Revere lived. Paul Revere was everything in Boston - there wasn't a job he didn't do and anything going on in Boston in and around the time of the Revolutionary War, that he wasn't involved in. Although it will always be his midnight ride that most will remember him for.

The Paul Revere house sits in a typical Boston street - it's just a few hundred years older

Built in 1680, Revere's house has been turned into a Museum (first one of those we have seen). From there, they ventured into Little Italy (Boston's North end) for a great lunch, before continuing on the tour. They went to the site where the historic Boston Tea Party took place as well as The Boston Massacre (all amazing stories as well).

The highlight without doubt was a visit and tour aboard 'Old Ironsides' - the USS Constitution. So named because her wooden hull was made from a rare type of wood (only found in the USA) that was so dense, cannon balls could not penetrate it's sides. It was 33-0 in conflicts and despite being commissioned in 1797, she is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and last month sailed under her own power for only the second time since 1881.

Bailey & Bluey on the Gun Deck of the USS Constitution

War Ships certainly looked different 325 years ago

The Bunker Hill Monument and the story behind the reasons it was built back in 1842 is another remarkable story in this cities storied past.

This Monument was built to celebrate a war that was actually lost

Just to put a modern touch to the tour, a walk past the Boston Gardens. Not a flower in sight, it is home of the Boston Celtics NBA team and the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Apparently Bailey & Bluey booed as they went past - lunatic Lakers fans.

When they got back to the hotel, I was feeling a little better - at least I was up for a couple of games of tenpin bowling at the Bowling alley just up the road. Everyone got a bowling lesson from Bluey, who was looking sharp in his Charlie Sheen style bowling shirt.

 ~Riley.