Day 8 - Lexington & Concord: The Shot Heard 'Round the World
Today we visited Lexington and Concord, MA and the Minute Man National Historical Park. Our first stop was the Visitor's Center where they showed an excellent 30 minute multi-media presentation detailing the events of April 19, 1775 when the first shots were fired. It was fascinating and with the presentation, books I've read and our stops throughout the day, the events really came to life for me. I think they started to for the kids too. Especially Kira and Isaac. They've both studied the Revolutionary War this year and have read books about it. It was amazing to hear Isaac rehearse the events of Paul Revere's ride for Grandma and Grandpa on the drive down. He remembers so much detail!
I had really wanted to rent bikes to ride the Battle Road Trail. I found a place in Concord but they would never answer their phone. Finally I got through and they told me unapologetically that they were all out of bikes for the day. Honestly, I was really disappointed. I knew that the kids would have way more stamina for the 5 mile trail on bikes and it sounded really fun. But when you're traveling you have to be adaptable so after a Dunkin' Donuts stop (along with the rest of New England. I can't believe how crowded DD is!) and a little sugar I decided to get over it and just go with the flow.
On the way we stopped by the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery just to tease the kids at first about the headless horsemen but it ended up being pretty interesting. Several famous authors are buried there, along with dozens and dozens of Civil War and WWI veterans. The kids tried to find the oldest dates on the tombstones (1788 was the oldest date we found) and we were intrigued by the old headstones and engravings.
Next we went to the Visitor's Center at the Old North Bridge where the Minute Man statue stands (sculpted by the same sculptor who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial). We walked the trails and learned more about the "shot heard 'round the world." Isaac was interested to learn that the first Colonist that was killed in the battle was Captain Isaac Davis.
Next we started the Battle Road Trail and walked the first 3 miles to Hartwell Tavern where rangers dressed in period clothing gave us a Militia Men talk and musket firing. The long walk and convenient benches in the shade meant the kids were quiet and attentive during the entire presentation! It was really cool walking along the trail with the original stone fences and old homes dotting the way. There were tall trees and it was mostly shady. We read the plaques and listened a little to the cell phone tour on speakerphone. You could really start to imagine some of what it must have been like for those soldiers and militia men that day!
On our way out I figured we were only 3 miles from Walden Pond so we should really go see it. I mean, it is famous ya know! Famous for Thoreau's book, Walden, or Life in the Woods. A book where Thoreau reflects on simple living in natural surroundings. He talks of self reliance and simplicity and according to Wikipedia is an autobiography combined with a "social critique of contemporary Western culture's consumerist and materialist attitudes and its distance from and destruction of nature." Thoreau went to Walden to escape what he considered, "over-civilization", and in search of the "raw" and "savage delight" of the wilderness. I have read about half of the book but never finished it. I probably need to now because I found Walden Pond almost the exact antithesis to Thoreau's experience. I was expecting a peaceful, tranquil, mostly untouched wilderness pond. Instead we found a beautiful pond lined with beaches, a snack shack, lifeguard chairs, roped off swimming areas and a huge wooded parking lot across the street. It was a pleasant and fun atmosphere but by far the most crowded area we had experienced all day! It was so ironic. If I'd known it was a fun swimming pond, I would have brought our swimsuits! We didn't have our reflective, quiet experience I thought we'd have but we embraced the moment. The little boys still swam anyway in their shorts and we spent an hour by the pond and on the beach while we waited out the looming rush hour traffic.
Probably the highlight of the day for the kids was Grandpa taking them to Taco Bell on the way home. They gorged on all sorts of Taco Bell fare that they never get because I kind of don't like Taco Bell...shhh! I can't even really say that out loud in the Davis family! ;) They were raving about how good it was. I guess I might have to give in to the Bell every now and then.
Jeff gave a great devotional tonight on Freedom. We talked about how Freedom isn't just an American thing, it's an eternal principle. How God's plan for us was freedom and agency. He wanted us to choose for ourselves and to learn through our own experiences. He read to us the beginning of Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" and how valuable our freedom is.
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.
It was really powerful given our family "field trip" today.
I had really wanted to rent bikes to ride the Battle Road Trail. I found a place in Concord but they would never answer their phone. Finally I got through and they told me unapologetically that they were all out of bikes for the day. Honestly, I was really disappointed. I knew that the kids would have way more stamina for the 5 mile trail on bikes and it sounded really fun. But when you're traveling you have to be adaptable so after a Dunkin' Donuts stop (along with the rest of New England. I can't believe how crowded DD is!) and a little sugar I decided to get over it and just go with the flow.
On the way we stopped by the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery just to tease the kids at first about the headless horsemen but it ended up being pretty interesting. Several famous authors are buried there, along with dozens and dozens of Civil War and WWI veterans. The kids tried to find the oldest dates on the tombstones (1788 was the oldest date we found) and we were intrigued by the old headstones and engravings.
Next we went to the Visitor's Center at the Old North Bridge where the Minute Man statue stands (sculpted by the same sculptor who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial). We walked the trails and learned more about the "shot heard 'round the world." Isaac was interested to learn that the first Colonist that was killed in the battle was Captain Isaac Davis.
Next we started the Battle Road Trail and walked the first 3 miles to Hartwell Tavern where rangers dressed in period clothing gave us a Militia Men talk and musket firing. The long walk and convenient benches in the shade meant the kids were quiet and attentive during the entire presentation! It was really cool walking along the trail with the original stone fences and old homes dotting the way. There were tall trees and it was mostly shady. We read the plaques and listened a little to the cell phone tour on speakerphone. You could really start to imagine some of what it must have been like for those soldiers and militia men that day!
On our way out I figured we were only 3 miles from Walden Pond so we should really go see it. I mean, it is famous ya know! Famous for Thoreau's book, Walden, or Life in the Woods. A book where Thoreau reflects on simple living in natural surroundings. He talks of self reliance and simplicity and according to Wikipedia is an autobiography combined with a "social critique of contemporary Western culture's consumerist and materialist attitudes and its distance from and destruction of nature." Thoreau went to Walden to escape what he considered, "over-civilization", and in search of the "raw" and "savage delight" of the wilderness. I have read about half of the book but never finished it. I probably need to now because I found Walden Pond almost the exact antithesis to Thoreau's experience. I was expecting a peaceful, tranquil, mostly untouched wilderness pond. Instead we found a beautiful pond lined with beaches, a snack shack, lifeguard chairs, roped off swimming areas and a huge wooded parking lot across the street. It was a pleasant and fun atmosphere but by far the most crowded area we had experienced all day! It was so ironic. If I'd known it was a fun swimming pond, I would have brought our swimsuits! We didn't have our reflective, quiet experience I thought we'd have but we embraced the moment. The little boys still swam anyway in their shorts and we spent an hour by the pond and on the beach while we waited out the looming rush hour traffic.
Probably the highlight of the day for the kids was Grandpa taking them to Taco Bell on the way home. They gorged on all sorts of Taco Bell fare that they never get because I kind of don't like Taco Bell...shhh! I can't even really say that out loud in the Davis family! ;) They were raving about how good it was. I guess I might have to give in to the Bell every now and then.
Jeff gave a great devotional tonight on Freedom. We talked about how Freedom isn't just an American thing, it's an eternal principle. How God's plan for us was freedom and agency. He wanted us to choose for ourselves and to learn through our own experiences. He read to us the beginning of Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" and how valuable our freedom is.
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.
It was really powerful given our family "field trip" today.
Isaac ready to be a Minute Man.
Becoming "Junior Rangers"
Henry David Thoreau's headstone in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Just as it should be. So simple.
Calvin at Ralph Waldo Emerson's grave.
Isaac with the actual Hancock cannon. 1 of 4, I think, that the Patriot's stole in Boston from the British.
The Old North Bridge.
Jeff and Clint on the Old North Bridge. The monument at the end is for the British soldiers who died there on April 19, 1775.
Below the Old North Bridge.
Mikey walking an old stone wall fence in front of the Old Manse, where Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson once lived. Emerson's grandfather lived in the home during 1775 and they could see the Old North Bridge and watched the battle unfold from this home.
In front of the Minute Man Statue.
The beginning of the Battle Road Trail.
The kids had a few wild moments during the long day. Kira caught one of Mikey's. Half crazy, half silly but you never know which half you've got and if he's running at you with a stick, you'd better play it safe and put some distance between you!
Waiting for the musket firing.
Hartwell Tavern
Hartwell Tavern.
Isaac sporting his new souvenir!
Always lookin' for a laugh.
At Walden Pond.
Walden Pond.
This only shows about 1/3 of the beach. Not crazy crowded but still seemed ironic for "Walden."
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