OTPWB Day 1: Part 2: Old North Church, Lexington & Concord, Walden's Pond, Harvard Campus

We didn't have time to do the entire Freedom Trail on our marathon day in Boston, but we were at the north end, so we had to make sure and stop at the "Old North Church". The "One if by land, and two if by sea" lantern signal is said to have been sent from here.

Once the signal was sent out, Paul Revere and a few other riders rode out to warn surrounding towns, including Lexington & Concord, which is where we headed next.

We toured Buckman Tavern, located on Lexington Green. This is where the minute men gathered awaiting the British.  When they arrived, the "shot heard round the world" was fired - by which side we still don't know - and the American Revolutionary War began.  (These pics are from a trip of Boston we took back in '09).  I loved the words on the monument...it was perfect to read again this week over the 4th of July.  If you have a minute, its worth reading:

"Sacred to Liberty & the Rights of mankind!!!

The Freedom & Independence of America,

Sealed & defended with the blood of her sons.

This Monument is erected

By the inhabitants of Lexington,

Under the patronage, & at the expense, of

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

To the memory of their Fellow Citizens,

Ensign Robert Munroe. Mess. Jonas Parker,

Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington Jun,

Issac Muzzy , Caleb Harrington, and John Brown

Of Lexington & Asahel Porter of Woburn,

Who fell on this field, the first Victims to the

Sword of British Tyranny & Oppression

On the morning of the ever memorable

Nineteenth of April. An. Dom. 1775.

The Die was cast!!!

The Blood of these Martyrs

In the cause of God & their Country,

Was the Cement of the Union of these States, then

Colonies: & gave the spring to the spirit, Firmness

And resolution of their Fellow Citizens.

They rose as one man to revenge their brethren’s

Blood and at the point of the sword to assert &

Defend their native Rights.

They nobly dar’d to be free!!

The contest was long, bloody & affecting

Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal;

Victory crowned their arms; and

The Peace, Liberty & Independence of the United

States of America, was their glorious Reward.

Built in the year 1799."

After the Battle at Lexington, the British found that John Hancock and Samuel Adams had escaped, so they  headed to Concord in search of ammunition.  On their way they ran into a group of militia men at Concord's North Bridge.  There was another fight, and the Minutemen came out victorious, and the British retreated.  By the end of the day, the British had lost 273 soldiers, while the Colonists lost only 94, 18 of which had died at the Battle at Lexington. 

Though it was a rainy day - (a rainy week, really) the scenery was just beautiful and so peaceful.  Ben got a little excited running down the bridge and took a tumble in a rain puddle.  He just sat there helpless, screaming for someone to come and lift him out.  

Our day wasn't done there though.  In Concord, we had to stop at Walden's pond (which is actually a lake) and view the replica of Henry David Thoreau's cabin. I was in the car warming up a cold, wet Ben, so these pics are from 2009, when it was a warmer day and we actually got to swim in the "pond".   

If you can believe it, afer all this, our visitors STILL weren't ready to go home, rain or no rain.  We hit Harvard Square and walked around beautiful Harvard Campus.   Then we finished our day warming up with some delicious pizza.  We drove home with tired, soggy feet and lots of miles under our belt!