With this trip we have visited 102 of the current 401 National Park Service units, including all of the ones in Massachusetts and Rhode Island (with the exception of the Appalachian NST). Well, technically, R is only at 101 since I'm counting a childhood visit to Gettysburg, and the boys are only up to 98 since they were only a twinkle when R and I went to Haleakala, USS Arizona, and Mt. Rainier. But their Jr. Ranger badges and patches now number 84!
And now for one of my favorite parts of keeping this blog -- getting the family's opinions on our most recent adventure...
And now for one of my favorite parts of keeping this blog -- getting the family's opinions on our most recent adventure...
What were the best places that we visited or things that we did (top 5, in order)?
J: Basketball Hall of Fame, Fenway Park / watching the Red Sox, Museum of Science, Georges Island, John F. Kennedy NHS
M: Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Armory, Fenway Park, USS Constitution, Six Flags New England
Me: Adams NHP, Georges Island, Minute Man NHP, USS Constitution, Fenway Park
R: Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Armory, Minute Man NHP, Fenway Park, USS Constitution
Me: Cape Cod - maybe we could actually see the sun next time!
J: Hall of Fame - because we could spend so much more time there... like, watching the Michael Jordan movie or I could win the free throw contest next time and keep working on dunking. Also, I'd want to spend more time at the Museum of Science and the USS Constitution Museum - there was a lot of hands-on stuff at both museums!
M: Hall of Fame - it was a lot of fun!
R: Lowell NHP - there was a lot of stuff that we didn't have time to see or do
Fill in the blank. Visiting ____________ one time is more than enough!
R / J / Me: Roger Williams Memorial in Providence, RI - not much to see here
J: Cape Cod, because of all the mosquitoes
M: Boston - there were too many people smoking on the street, so the air quality wasn't good; crowded subway (I'm guessing he won't ever be a city guy!)
What was the best thing you ate?
M / J / Me: Cannoli from Modern Pastry and pizza from Santarpio's
R: Cannoli from Modern Pastry and lobster roll at Arnold's
Which hotel was your least favorite?
R / J: Best Western in Quincy - the room was dated (R); the pool was closed (J)
M: Sheraton Four Points in Eastham - the pool was really gross
Me: Marriott in Boston - Who wants to pay $13/day for internet access?! Not me, that's for sure! Why do you get less at the places that charge so much more?!
R: Any hotel when it's your turn to share a bed with M!
Which ranger-led activity or tour did you enjoy?
M: The tour of Fort Warren on Georges Island and the tour of the USS Constitution.
R / J: Fort Warren
Me: The tour of Adams National Historical Park (birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams and their home, Peacefield)
What is one thing you learned?
R: That Springfield Armory was one of two armories (Harpers Ferry was the other) established by George Washington during his presidency.
J: They used different kinds of wood to build the USS Constitution. Because one kind of wood was so dense, when the other ship fired on her, the cannonballs just bounced off the sides. That is why it's called "Old Ironsides".
Me: That sperm whales were hunted for spermaceti, the waxy liquid located in a large cavity contained within their skulls. The oil had many uses, such as in lighthouses, oil lamps, and candles.
M: The pilgrims landed on a really small rock.
What was your most memorable moment?
M: In Cape Cod, being trapped in the car by huge mosquitoes and having to make a run for it to avoid getting bit.
Me: Haggling with the ticket scalper outside of Fenway Park and then worrying until the gates opened that we had just thrown away $100 on fake tickets!
R: Six Flags New England - it was pouring down rain and everyone was leaving the park. We were the only ones going in!
J: Lasting longer than Dad and M in the free throw shooting contest at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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