Boston

Wednesday, July 31, we made the trip into the city of Boston.  All 26 of us got on a train and rode for nearly an hour making stops in the towns on the way.

Little A took a nap on the train.

Once we arrived in Boston, we split up into groups.  Seth had his own plans so he was going to wander Boston on his own.  8 of us wanted to walk the Freedom Trail.  The rest went to the Children's Museum.

I chose to go on the Freedom Trail.  The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walk around Boston, seeing the places where our Independence began.  I had walked the trail 21 years before, but at the age of 14, I didn't care.  Now that I'm a little older and I am teaching these historic events and people to my children, I wanted to see it and read about it again.  J came with me, but my girls went to the museum.  I asked my mom to take pics, but I haven't seen them yet and I don't have any to share with you.  But, I did take a few of the Freedom Trail.

We didn't do the entire trail as we wouldn't have enough time and we didn't want to see everything since most of us had seen it already.  My 13-year-old nephew was on a mission for his 6th grade social studies teacher.  My son just wanted to walk.

Off we went from the train station.  While others took the subway to their destination, we just started walking.  We decided to walk the trail backwards since there was more we wanted to see at the end than at the beginning.  Our first stop was Bunker Hill.

We arrived at this monument full of energy and excited about the day.  6 of us decided to take a trip up the tower.  Ron and June opted out of that and sat and waited for us.  It stands 221 feet tall.  There is no elevator.  We took the 294 steps to the top.

TWO HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR!!!

Yeah, if I had a heart problem, I was going to find out then.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely!  We looked out 4 windows and saw the city of Boston on all sides.  I love heights, I love looking down, I loved the sight from the tower.  My brothers-in-law Nate and Andy as well as my dad joined us on the trail.  We all had jelly legs and coming down seemed a tad dangerous when I felt like my legs were going to collapse under me.  But, we made it down all 294 steps.

Andy and Nate read more about the monument.

After visiting Bunker Hill, we saw the USS Constitution.  It was run by military so we went through security similar to that in an airport.  Emptying pockets, removing belts, placing purses and wallets and keys in plastic tubs.  Walking through the sensor where J and I both got beeped.  We got through ok.

J next to the ship.  We then walked around the deck.

Next, we went on to Copp's Hill Burial Ground.  We didn't spend a lot of time there.  I read a few of the grave markers and couple of signs.  We looked at the stones that were shot where we could still see the bullet indentations.  I read how the rich were treated better than the poor and that pirates were hanged there.

We later walked through the Old North Church and then visited Paul Revere's house.

Taking pictures in Paul Revere's house was not allowed.  Here is his statue.

We walked around Feneuil Hall.  This is where men like Samuel Adams made speeches on getting our independence from Great Britain.  Several people were trying to earn a little money by showing off various talents.  Crowds of people stood and watched them.  We stopped and watched a couple.

We walked right passed the site of the Boston Massacre without realizing it.  Thankfully my nephew saw it and got a picture.  Since "learning" about this with my kids this year, I found it interesting that 5 people killed was considered a massacre.  However, it was 5 civilians the British killed, not soldiers.  It is a part of our history leading to our freedom.

Our final stop was at the Benjamin Franklin statue.  It is also the site of the first public school.  From that point, we decided we needed to head back to the train station so we could catch the 5:30 train back to Rockport.

J and I.  We were a little worn out.

Nate and Andy

Ron and Papa

My nephew and June

Seth was already at the station when the 8 of us arrived.  We knew that Tim, Sara, 2 of her kids, and both of my girls decided to go to the Aquarium and take the 8:30 train.  We were just waiting on the rest of the group.  Instead of taking the subway, they decided to walk back to the station.  My grandma, mom, Bob, Lou, Lisa, and Amanda lead the 4 kids and the baby in a stroller back to the station a few minutes before we could board our train.  There were now 20 of us on the train headed back to Rockport.

It was nearly 10:00 when the Piearsons dropped off my girls at Bob and Lou's house.  I heard all about their day, the things they saw, the things they did....I think everyone had a good time in Boston.

A day in Rockport coming soon...

A Whale of a Trip

We made it!

(One little detail I forgot about on the trip out - it rained on us the 2nd night.  A couple of the tents leaked.  Ours did not.)

My sister Lisa and her family stayed with Bob and Lou.  My family stayed in the apartment they rent out on the lower level of their house.  The rest stayed in a hotel not too far away.

Tuesday, July 30, we slept in a little but we had to get ready for a trip out on the ocean to see whales and other ocean life.  Amanda and Ron chose not to go so 24 of us headed out for the whale watch.

K and her cousin

J enjoying the view from the back of the boat

Little A and her cousin at the front of the boat with Seth

My dad and his sister, June

If you look closely you can see the tail of a humpback whale.

I made several picture attempts, but my camera was just not quick enough.  My son, however, captured a lot of great shots on his iPod.

Little A on the upper deck

K on the upper deck.  She was the most afraid of seeing a shark.  When I told my aunt Lou, she said it was not likely that we would see a shark.  Guess what?  We did!  I didn't see it well enough to get a picture, but a blue shark swam next to the boat.  I wasn't with K at the time so I asked her about it later.  She said she was a little scared but she did get a good look at it.  That's my girl.

Another shot of a humpback whale.  She stayed around and showed off quite a bit.

After a couple hours on the ocean, we headed back in.  Here sits my brother-in-law Andy, my aunt Lou, and aunt June.

My grandma who was enjoying a nap.

My uncle Bob

Me with my brother-in-law Tim

J with his cousin

Little A with her cousin

My sister Sara read a few books to some of the kids.  K is lying on the floor.

My dad and my sister Lisa holding her little one.

My mom

Another niece reading

2 of my nephews

2 more nephews

Seth and me

My brother-in-law Nate

We could view this lighthouse on the way out and in

We had left shore around 1:30 and the boat finally docked around 5:30.  We were to meet Amanda and Ron at the Lobster Pool for supper.  As we arrived, I saw Amanda waving and a blonde woman standing next to her waving as well.  I was very confused.  "Who's the girl with Amanda?"  Seth was too busy finding a place to park (which was nearly impossible!) to notice.  One of my kids thought Amanda had made a new friend.  I found that odd.  We drove by again (still looking for a parking space) and I looked harder and thought to myself, "That looks like Barb but she wouldn't be here..."  I was still just so very confused.

We finally parked and I realize it WAS Barb!  What a surprise!!!

She and her husband, Alan, and their son were also on vacation and decided to meet us all out here.  They are long-time family friends from Greenfield who later became family when Alan's mom married my grandpa.

29 people eating together.  The food wasn't too bad.  Seth and I shared a platter of various seafoods.

We also got to see this beautiful sunset as we ate.

We returned to Bob and Lou's house where they had a surprise for all 11 kids.  He turned on the ceiling fan and stuffed animals flew everywhere.  The kids quickly grabbed a few and picked out their favorites, then ran off to play while we adults discussed the next day's plans.

A trip into Boston coming up...

5 car caravan and 9 states

Destination: Rockport, MA

With most of my family in Iowa, my sister and I who live in Kansas drove up to Iowa on Friday, July 26, so we could start the big trip together.

We had heard earlier in the week that my grandma decided to come.  That makes a total of 22 leaving from Greenfield, and 24 by the time we picked up my aunt and uncle in Davenport, IA.

We arrived in Iowa around 6:30 and enjoyed supper with my family.  After nearly a year or so in planning, we could hardly believe the trip was finally here.

Saturday, July 27, we set out for our trip in 5 different vehicles.  My dad lead the way.  The Robleses were number 2, we were 3rd, Piearsons 4th, and the Hilpipres picked up the rear.  Did I mention that *I* was the one driving?  Not Seth.  Me.  Yep, I took the wheel for most of the trip.  Seth hates to drive and I like the long drives.

We left around 9:30 after asking the Lord's blessing on our trip and safety as we travel.  We stopped for lunch but realized we had forgotten the bread so we took the exit at Coralville and ate at Hy-Vee and purchased forgotten supplies.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, a miscommunication lead to me getting lost.  Papa and Andy had taken a left on the frontage road while I pulled out onto the actual road followed by Tim and Nate.  Sara called to give me directions from Tim.  Andy called Seth to let him know what they were doing.  I got confused and pulled into another parking lot.  I only need one person telling me what to do and 2 people with 2 different ideas was too confusing so I decided to pull off the road and figure out exactly what I needed to do.  Finally, I got back on the road 2 miles behind everyone else.  Amanda called from Davenport to check on me.  We arrived in Davenport to pick up my aunt and uncle, Ron and June.  Then, straight into Illinois.

As we arrived in Chicago, I lost Papa and Andy in a toll booth.  I was now in the lead with Tim and Nate behind me.  No problem.  I knew to stay on I-80 East.  After a bit, Mom called Seth to let him know the exit to continue on I-80 comes up fast.  I was keeping my eyes on the signs.  As the exit grew closer, Amanda tried to call me but I couldn't answer in time.  I took the exit for I-80 while my daughter K and niece were repeating to me what the GPS  was saying.  Then, as I'm taking this long, sharp curve, I receive a call from Sara...which I couldn't answer either.  Stupid phone.  It was a little hectic.  We made it onto the main road for I-80 and continued to drive East out of Chicago and into Indiana.  Come to find out, Amanda called to see if I wanted Nate to take the lead who did not realize we needed to take an exit to stay on I-80.  Sara called to ask what on earth I was doing because Tim did not realize we needed to take an exit to stay on I-80.  That's right, boys.  This girl knows how to read road signs!  ;)

We arrived at our campsite in Indiana around 10:45 EST.  We all set up our tents in the dark.  Ron and June stayed in a hotel.  Grandma slept in my parents' tent.  It was an exciting first day, for sure!  We were thankful that God watched over us and got us through the difficult areas and we were safe at our first destination, ready for bed.

Sunday, July 28, we left the campground around 8:30.  We drove through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and into New York.  We arrived at our campground around 6:00, set up the tents, and ate supper.  Then, we went to see Niagara Falls.

This was my 3rd or 4th time at Niagara Falls.

But for my kids and some others, this was the first.

Here is the youngest traveler at 2 1/2 months old.  She was a trooper!

My dad is helping Little A look through the viewer.

My grandma, the last-minute traveler and the oldest traveler was quite the trooper, too.

We stayed late enough to see the colored lights shine on the falls.

Grandma decided she had enough tenting and joined Ron and June in the hotel.  We all enjoyed a good sleep in our tents, not knowing this would be the last time we slept in tents on this trip.

We left around 10:30 on Monday, July 29.  As we headed into Albany, the GPS took us in different directions.  Papa, Andy, and I continued on I-90 through the toll booth while Tim and Nate passed us by on a different interstate around Albany.  Again, I lost Papa and Andy at the toll booth.  We later figure out where Tim and Nate are.  My mom ended up being really sick so Papa found a place in downtown Albany and Andy just followed.  Since they were out of my sight, I had no idea that they had pulled off, so I continued on, all alone.

We entered Massachusetts and reconnected with Tim and Nate at a rest area on the toll road.  Andy and Lisa decided to leave Papa in Albany and join us so we waited for them there and ate supper.  Mom was really sick and they were considering staying in Albany.  It was just us sisters and our families.  Tim and Nate had been to my aunt and uncle's house in Rockport more recently than Lisa or I had been.  In fact, the last time we were there was 21 years ago.  I was 14.  Sure, we could rely on the GPS, but Bob and Lou's driveway was hidden and could be easily missed.  Tim took the lead, I took 2nd, Andy 3rd, and Nate continued in the last spot.  On we went.

Those stupid toll booths.  I lost Tim as we headed into Boston.  Andy and Nate were nowhere to be seen behind me.  I was alone again.  This time in the dark.  I was forced to rely on the GPS (which I hate doing!).  Eventually, Andy and Nate caught up to us.  Amanda called to see if we were ok or if I wanted Nate to take the lead.  I let Nate go ahead of me because I simply do not trust the GPS.  Tim was still too far ahead of us.  We made it into Rockport and arrived at Bob and Lou's around 10:00, shortly after Tim.  My parents were already making their way here.  Mom still wasn't feeling well, but she was doing ok enough to travel.  They arrived about an hour later.

Whew!  We all arrived safely.  A few mishaps, a bit of panic, but all under God's protection and care.  God is good.

More to come...

It's coming...

My family just returned from a big trip to Boston.  Well, actually, Rockport, MA.  My aunt and uncle were celebrating 40 years of marriage and wanted all of the family to come out to celebrate with them.  So we did.  It's been a year or so of planning and 24 of us drove out to Massachusetts from Iowa.

I will have plenty to blog about once I am ready to upload my pics.  This is just a teaser blog so stay tuned!  :)