Sightseeing in Boston at Night

Monday, May 27, 2013 *Part 3!*

We were so busy this day! Seriously. After Salem, and after Quincy, we went back to Boston and we toured the city. I feel like because Kjersten and Jake were there, we were able to see things that normal tourists may not see.

Kjersten was really excited to show us the view of the city from a Rapunzel-like tower in the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Remember how I said that places out in Massachusetts like to be known for being the first or the oldest of something. Well the Mount Auburn Cemetery sign boasts the fact that it is "America's First Landscaped Cemetery Consecrated in 1831." So don't go giving that honor to any other cemetery.

The popular tower's name is "The Washington Tower" or "The Tower on the Hill." It was constructed on the highest summit in the cemetery and is a monument to George Washington, who had assumed command of the Revolutionary Army at Cambridge in 1775 and who served as our country's first president.

Construction on the tower began in 1852, "skilled craftsmen hammered the Quincy granite blocks smooth on both sides so that each forms a part of the inside and outside walls." I always love structures that have so much history, that were built before machines, and that people had to shape, smooth, and construct by hand. That's also my fascination with so many of the LDS Temples in Utah. Anyway, the Washington Tower was completed in 1854, stands sixty-two feet tall and "reminds new generations to honor all who helped create our nation through ideas, enterprise, or sacrifice."

Walking to the top, passing the beautiful architecture that made me feel as if I was in Rapunzel's tower ;). The tower was designed to resemble a popular romantic image of the time, hence where all the character comes from.

Our incredible view from the top:

I feel like you can see all of Boston from this tower; the skyscrapers, the countryside, the "mountains" far off in the distance, and the gold dome of the State House. It was perfect.

Mike beneath the tower:

 Around the Mount Auburn Cemetery:

It really is such a beautiful cemetery. I believe everything on the east coast is more beautiful because it's so green. The same beauty and fascination is what we find on tropical islands and jungles. Green life just makes everything better somehow. More peaceful, somehow more secluded, more personal, more tranquil.

The headstones, while not as old as those found in other cemeteries throughout Boston, were unique as well. It's sad visiting cemeteries knowing all these lives were lost, some long before 'their time' but at the same time, cemeteries seem to hold peaceful feelings. These headstones marked with "daughter, mother, sister, loved, our guardian angel" etc. all had someone who loved them and has sweet memories with them. I am grateful for the peace that we can receive through the trial of death of knowing that families can be together forever. That we will see them again one day. I think that's a huge factor in making cemeteries a place of peace and comfort rather than a place of sorrow and grief.

We wanted to have a BBQ for Memorial Day - but apparently not everyone in Boston celebrates Memorial Day with a BBQ. So while we were waiting to meet Jake, we all decided what sounded good to us for dinner. I wanted Indian Food, Mike wanted Italian Food, Kjersten wanted Thai Food, and Jake ended up picking up some Japanese on his way to meet us. Thank goodness for the diversity of America where all these foods are available when we want them (and in Boston, all within walking distance).

Honestly, we would have been completely content staying in for the night and doing nothing. But Jake had brainstormed a number of things for us to do around Boston and was so excited to take us to all these places that we couldn't turn him down. We were tired. Actually, we were exhausted. I didn't know if we could stay awake. It ended up being AMAZING!!!! I am so glad that we kept our butts up for another couple of hours because it was a blast. So pretty to see the city at night and to see so many things we wouldn't have otherwise been able to see.

We started at the South Boston Dry Dock where they fix ships. The South Boston Dry Dock dates back to at least the 40's. I looked up some pictures of it online when I was trying to find some more info (there is like no info anywhere to be found) and saw some pictures of the USS Constitution getting fixed up here. Pretty awesome.

The picture below shows more of how it all works. All of the boats/ships comes in with a whole lot of water (you can see the hole within the yellow fence). Then they drain the water and complete the repairs on the vessel. This particular boat may not look "that big" but we drove along side of it, and let me tell you, we were driving and driving and driving and driving before we finally hit its tail end. I couldn't believe the size!

The tail end of the boat sitting along the water:

We sat across from Boston's Logan International Airport and watched the planes land. There weren't really any taking off but there was a good number of them flying in. I tried to get some pictures of them, but I obviously don't know how to take photos of moving objects far in the distance while it's dark. So as you can see in the photo below, they all turned out blurry!

There is an aquarium in Boston called the New England Aquarium. Although it was closed when we visited, they keep the sea lions out front of the aquarium in an open glass home. We were able to visit and even though there was a sheet of glass between us, it was awesome how close we really were to them. They are large animals and have such fun features. Their faces looked like cats, their front fins almost look like they have fingers, and they were interacting with us like they really understood what was going on. If you can't tell, I had so much fun. I think I wanted to stay the longest and keep watching their every moves.

Super close to the wharf, about a block away from the aquarium, is the Rings Fountain. I loved the picturesque scene of the fountains with the Marriott Custom House Hotel Clock Tower in the back. The clock tower, although it has been owned by Marriott since 1997, used to be a Custom House Tower and was authorized by President Andrew Jackson. So it does have some historical value. Either way though, it sure is gorgeous at night.

The moon on our night of Boston adventure:

Another awesome shot of the Boston Skyline:

The USS Constitution Ship:

The USS Constitution, named by President George Washington (after the Constitution of the United States) is a wooden ship used by the United States Navy back in 1797. The USS Constitution is "the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat." The ship is most well-known for being used in the War of 1812 against Great Britain. Those manning this ship were able to "capture numerous merchant ships and defeat five British Warships." Very awesome that it is still afloat and a museum for people to now visit. I really hope one day I can climb aboard and learn more about the ship's history.

 Driving through the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge on our way home:

What a day right? Starting early in the morning and ending late at night. That's the way we sometimes roll. We had a blast and enjoyed the sightseeing so much! Boston really is an incredible place!