Trippin’ Around North America

The British, historical enemy of Bostonians

October 20

Early morning rain woke us from an otherwise restful sleep after our Lobster Feast the night before. We left a bit early to get out of the pelting rain in the trailer. Within minutes we are in Salem, where we are a bit early for the museums and points of interest. The small city looks very ominous in the early morning mist and drizzle. It is very tourist friendly and would be a neat place to walk about on a sunny day.

Rather than linger till opening times we pushed on to Boston, wanting to stay north of Boston itself and stop in the area of the Navy Yard where the USS Constitution is moored. Unfortunately we found ourselves on a terrible route through less than desirable neighbourhoods that seemed to go on forever on dreadful roads.

To our utter horror we soon found ourselves irreversibly caught up in the early morning traffic heading into the gut of Boston! You do not want to drive in Boston. After going in every conceivable direction and going over the same bridge in both directions then going through a toll both that was restricted to pass holders only, we sought sanctuary in a Dunkin Donuts drive in because I needed to use the toilet! It turned out to be the drive through line! I eased out and looked for a place to park, finally going into a private company lot, risking the wrath of the owners as I trotted to Dunkin's, leaving Fellette with nothing but a smile to explain our situation.

Inside Dunkin's, after using the facilities I decided at least we had to have a reason to come to Boston so I ordered coffee and three donuts. A very nice woman in there explained where we were on the map I was clutching. Back to the car to get reorganised. Fellette and I were both ready to go back and read in the trailer when we pulled into Dunkin's. We had been two hours in the rain and had gone about 50 Ks, [30 miles]!

Apparently we were five minutes away from our intended destination. In ten minutes we were parked and in the Naval Dockyard Information Centre.

The rest of the day was great, the rain eased and we settled down and thoroughly enjoyed our visit of USS Constitution, the museum, dockyard and the Trolley Trip we took to beautiful downtown Boston. We strolled and had lunch, then continued our History lesson. I never realised how much of the build up to the Revolutionary War took place in Boston. We could spend days here, even though we are not patriotic Americans, it is like walking through history.






The English portion of my blood flowing through my system did shudder somewhat as the 19 year old US Navy black female guide on the Constitution told of numerous naval victories over the British in the war of 1812. There were many school buses visiting the dockyard and the Boston Common when we were there. I can see why in many cases some Americans are so knowledgeable on American History, but in some cases lacking on world history. In the case of local residents I can completely understand it, it took place in Downtown Boston!

The return to our camp was not as unpleasant as the run in, but I got a refresher course on why we don't go into big cities.

After a decent night's sleep I felt that I could write the blog with an unbiased mind, [it was fogged by the driving conditions]. I hope I did. Boston is a great city, a must-see for history buffs. Just don't drive in it. The streets look like they were laid out 300 years ago, which they were!

Not a good day for photos folks.

posted by Doug and Fellette @ 1:13 PM