Friday, May 13, 2016

Hingham Bound: The Crew Visits Boston

One of the challenges for crew members is making reservations for the return flight to their home. Wylie was headed for Chicago while Tom was headed for Michigan. Both made reservations for Wednesday, May 11. Wylie made his well before our voyage started. When I pointed out he was, perhaps, a bit optimistic (i.e., we might have to lay up a day or two for bad weather), he informed me that it was changeable with a $42 fee. Problem solved. Tom made his reservation enroute once we had a reasonable expectation of reaching Hingham as predicted (on May 9).

So, on Tuesday morning we awoke to a spectacular sunny day with a predicted 68 degree high temperature. Diana proposed a trip to Boston. I proposed we wash the boat. Diana's proposal carried the day.

The crew was amazed at the 12 foot tides as shown by the two photos below.

At 8:23 AM we were at dead low tide

Photo of the pilings at low tide
We have an 8 foot margin for a tidal surge
At 10:00 AM we walked to the east side of the marina and caught the ferry to Boston, arriving there just before 11:00 AM after a stop at Logan Airport. Note: Hingham to Boston non-stop is 35 minutes.

Low tide revealing the WWII ways where warships were built 

South Boston viewed from the ferry
Fort Independence at the tip of Castle Island

Boston container port

View of The world trade Center, Fan Pier and Rowes Wharf (Note the arch)

South Boston waterfront looking toward Prudential Center

Logan International Airport

Rowes Wharf complex with its defining arch.
We then took a 6 mile walk through Boston where we visited a number of famous landmarks. Join us on our walk through the city with Tom's photos.

Leaving the ferry dock you walk by a lovely park

Lester, Diana and the Furry Kid (Kodi) in her Southeastern Guide Dog Ambassador Cape at historic Faneuil Hall

Old South Meeting House






Grave of Benjamin Franklin, signer of the Declaration of Independence at Granary Burying Ground


Tour guide in costume telling the story of Mother Goose


Historic Granary Burying Ground

Wylie, Diana and Kodi


Paul revere's grave

John Hancock's grave

Massachusetts State House with gold dome

Entering the Boston Common

Boston Common with the posh Beacon Hill neighborhood to the right

Beacon Hill

Boston Common

Beacon Hill residences

We walk into the Boston Public Garden just across the street from the Boston Common


Kodi, Les, Wylie and Diana strolling through the Boston Common


Monument to Robert McCloskey's famous children's book, Make Way for Ducklings
I read it to Lesley as a child. Now, she and I read it to Amelia (3/1/2)
Shortly Amelia will read it to us.

View of the one of the Garden's famous swan boats


A swan boat loaded with passengers on a beautiful day
The views are spectacular

Spring is busting out all over

Ditto



Old State House

Art in the Union Oyster House depicting historical sites on the Freedom Trail




We stop for lunch at the Union Oyster House, billed as America's oldest restaurant

A street in the North End

Hanover Street in the North End
Lot's of great Italian restaurants

Statute of Paul Revere with the Old North Church in the background

Wylie, Tom, Les, Diana and the Kodi Dog
Arriving back in Hingham at 4:00 PM the crew helped me wash the boat. A six hour job, when I do it alone, took a little over two hours. We did a spectacular job.

Thank you Tom and Wylie for helping me bring Guided Discovery north for the summer. Your efforts, your congeniality and your friendship are greatly appreciated.

That's it folks. The Hingham Bound series is complete. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed telling it.

Written by Les.

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