Friday July 1st

 Happy Canada Day! Darren was up at the crack of dawn and had to go plug the meter with $4 in quarters at 8am and then grabbed some breakfast. The hotel has a nice full breakfast with an egg station on muffins covered in avocados as well as unlimited beverages, bread and fruit. 

After I got the family moving and fed, we were out the door and driving underground through the vast array of tunnels to arrive at Fenway Park where the Boston Red Sox play. 

We walked in and were blown away by the views from every level as we walked everywhere but the field and even up behind the big green monster left field wall. Nicholas was in awe of everything and this was a huge bucket list item to see the oldest ballpark in America built in 1912. 

The history revealed from the tour guide was remarkable and the completion of the tour in the rooms filled with memorabilia of championships from 1912-2018 was off the charts. 

After leaving Fenway, we went a few blocks and got a few chicken sandwiches from Chick Fil A. The temperature was well into the 90s and super humid. SO HOT!!! 

We jumped in the car and headed over to Harvard. We toured block after block of majestic buildings and schools before hitting the shops and picking up some shirts and hoodies. This place is amazing and a must see when in Boston. 

We drove to the harbour front and considered going for a ride on a tall ship but a certain female in our group was hesitant about getting seasick so we opted for a Duck Tour ride in the army vehicles that go on land and into the water. 

We ended up in Dottie - the pink one with polka dots of course. 

The tour guide narrator was extremely knowledgeable as we toured around the city Learning about John Fitzgerald - great grandfather of John F Kennedy, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Sam Adams and so so many more. Lots of buildings, parks and property. 

An hour later, into the water we went for another half an hour. 

Darren even got to drive for a minute! Fun! 

We weren’t able to extend our parking times through the app and were certain we were going to have a ticket but lucked out. 

We drove to north Boston for supper in Little Italy on Hanover street but all the parking was for residents only. We had to park 10 blocks away and walk. These aren’t some little sissy blocks either. Big city blocks that took almost half an hour to walk. Yes it’s still in the 90s. SO HOT!!! 

We ended up at Trattoria Il Panino. We each had a pasta and it was amazing. Darren’s was the best with tortellini smothered in truffle cream sauce. OMG GOOD! 

We walked a few doors down to Mike’s pastry and bought a couple connollis. Absolutely to die for. There were over a hundred people lined up for pastries. 

We went for yet another walk through downtown along the Freedom trail past Paul Reveres house, the church where he flashed the light signals to warn of the British ships coming, and the cemetery where he and so many other famous folks are buried. 

Another 10 blocks back to our car and then the usual crazy drive back to the hotel. This city is bananas for tunnels and parking insanity. 

30000 steps and a couple ibuprofen and calling it a night at 11pm. Headed down the coast tomorrow. 

A great day of adventures today!!