Most of my international friends know of course that the date we in the USA celebrate our Independence, is the 4th of July. They may not know that Boston was at the heart of the independence movement in what were the British Colonies in North America. Boston resembles a European city in the way it was laid out. It was founded in 1630, and history is everywhere !
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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So, my wife and I used some airline miles and hotel-points and headed up to Boston for the July 4th weekend, hoping to see some fireworks and tour through one of the principal places where our founding fathers made independence happen.
One of the things you notice first about Boston, is water, the city is surrounded by it, from Boston Harbor to the East to the Charles River to the West.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Lots of folks take various harbor cruises, on sail or powered boats. Last weekend the weather was great, and the harbor was very busy.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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We took a sunset cruise on Friday evening. Very nice...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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As the sun sank low, our tour boat headed North to the Charlestown Navy Yard, home to the USS Constitution, one of the most famous of US ships. She was among the first ships commissioned by the fledgling USA in the late 1700's. She saw great success against Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean, and against the British in 1812.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Every evening, just at sunset, a canon is fired aboard the USS Constitution, a historical practice in the US and other navies. Only now, the Constitution is undergoing a thorough refurbishment in a dry dock, just a few yards north of her usual berth. So now, a canon is housed in a small shelter, off the ship...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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...since all the Constitution's canon are waiting patiently on the dock...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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...along with the masts and yardarms.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Back outside the Old State House, we encountered the remains of a 4th of July Celebration...
...red, white and blue confetti.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Later on Saturday evening, we headed over to the Charles River for the fireworks display.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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The river was as smooth as glass, with the city as back drop...all sorts of boats were anchored, listening to the Boston Pops program on the radio and waiting for the fireworks to begin. And then...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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"Boom!!" Followed by another "Boom, boom, boom..."
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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When you're watching fireworks...
...glance around and check out the faces...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Lots of booms, and smoke, and occasional cheers...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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...and more faces...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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I love this one. Completely unretouched.
(anybody remember Mystery Science Theater 3000 ?)
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Walking through the neighborhood, we saw the many period houses...
...and some great knockers.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Try Boston. It's pretty cool !
-Mark
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