{"id":1789,"date":"2016-05-26T22:33:53","date_gmt":"2016-05-26T22:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1789"},"modified":"2016-06-03T14:52:07","modified_gmt":"2016-06-03T14:52:07","slug":"freedom-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/05\/26\/freedom-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Freedom Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/05\/25\/boston\/\">Yesterday<\/a> we were able to get about half of the Freedom Trail completed, so today we were targeting the 2nd half. \u00a0We knew what we were doing this time so before we left home I dismounted the truck&#8217;s antenna and we cruised on out to the Braintree station. \u00a0We go in to pay for parking but this time I&#8217;ll do it myself. \u00a0I insert the ticket and it says I owe $7. \u00a0I insert my credit card, it sucks it in then spits it out saying it can&#8217;t read it. \u00a0I try it again&#8230;sucks in, spits out, no read. \u00a0I carefully look at the diagram and realize that I had the stripe pointing the wrong direction. \u00a0I insert the card the correct way and after a bit it says &#8220;Rejected&#8221;. \u00a0It is then that I notice a separate card reader that is probably where I should have slid my card to make the payment. \u00a0 \u00a0Oh \u00a0crud, I think I just jammed my credit card into the ticket slot instead of the credit card slot and now its eaten my card!!<\/p>\n<p>I go to find an employee to help and there she is. \u00a0The same kind woman who helped us yesterday recognizes us and says &#8220;oh hi! \u00a0You&#8217;re back&#8230;can I help you?&#8221; \u00a0I explain to her that I put my credit card in the wrong slot but then she assures me I did it correct. \u00a0She presses the &#8220;Need assistance?&#8221; button on the machine and a crackly voice comes on &#8220;yeeees&#8221;. \u00a0She explains that the machine ate a card. \u00a0 It takes several calls to get someone to arrive and during our wait Carol asks about our day yesterday, and our trip\u00a0and\u00a0she talks to the kids. \u00a0Eventually someone comes and opens the machine to find&#8230;.no card. \u00a0She says &#8220;are you sure you don&#8217;t have your card?&#8221; \u00a0Come on, do you think I&#8217;m that dumb? \u00a0I humor her by pulling out my wallet (a rubberband around my cards) to prove that my Discover card is&#8230;.hey&#8230;wait a minute&#8230;.how did my Discover card get in my wallet? \u00a0Am I really that dumb? \u00a0My brother is a magician&#8230;.I have never had the skills to do any slight of hand until this moment. \u00a0I&#8217;m so good in fact that my hand was even quicker than my own eye!! \u00a0Seriously, I have no idea how that all went down. \u00a0But here is the cool part. \u00a0Carol was awesome!! \u00a0She was so much help both days. \u00a0She was so kind and genuine and interested in us that we just had to get a photo with her. \u00a0Thank you Carol for all your help!!<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Carol\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26756573243\/in\/album-72157666556977733\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c4.staticflickr.com\/8\/7419\/26756573243_88d2ca2ca8_n.jpg\" alt=\"Carol\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>After my little touron move we boarded the T for a ride into the city. \u00a0This time, instead of getting off at Park Street we transferred to\u00a0the green line to get us a little closer to where we left off yesterday near the Old North Church. \u00a0The unique thing about this church (at least unique from my experience) is the box pews. \u00a0They are like office cubicles in church. \u00a0Maybe Dilbert would like it. \u00a0But I don&#8217;t think I would like it&#8230;really seems like it would take away from the community part of worship. \u00a0In the old days you had to PAY for a box in order to be able to worship!! \u00a0Crazy!! \u00a0Now though, it is an open congregation and you need not\u00a0pay for the privilege to worship God in His house&#8230;.whew! \u00a0A tour group came in and we were able to hear a guide give some information on the church which we otherwise would not have heard so that was nice.<\/p>\n<p>We had our picnic lunch down in the little courtyard behind the church then checked out the printing press and the chocolate maker who gave out free samples of sipping chocolate! \u00a0Next we walked across the bridge to Bunker Hill. \u00a0We went into the visitor center and got our free tickets to walk up the stairs to the top of the memorial. \u00a0We also asked about ranger programs and learned there was to be one about the time we&#8217;d finish going up and back down the monument, BUT it was for a school group. \u00a0We were welcome to listen in if we wanted. \u00a0So, we hiked up the 249 stairs to the top and enjoyed the awesome view from the top. \u00a0When we came back down we did not see a school group and Ranger Eric said they didn&#8217;t show so he&#8217;d give the program to us! \u00a0We was an amazing story teller. \u00a0He was excited about the history of Bunker Hill and painted a picture in our minds as he walked us around the hill to show us different views and such. \u00a0Kudos to Ranger Eric!<br \/>\n <a title=\"Ranger Eric\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/27292576901\/in\/album-72157666556977733\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c6.staticflickr.com\/8\/7452\/27292576901_0b7bf15a79_n.jpg\" alt=\"Ranger Eric\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Next we made our way down to the USS Constitution. \u00a0There were tour guides\/storytellers on board who did a great job providing information as well as being entertaining. \u00a0The kids got their Jr Ranger badges and then we headed back to the T station once again right at rush hour. \u00a0Somebody had to go to the bathroom and when we asked at the station they said they didn&#8217;t have one but that there was one at Park Street. \u00a0When we transferred at Park Street we asked about the bathroom and the guy said, &#8220;NO BATHROOMS&#8221;. \u00a0We found a different employee, a woman, and asked her. \u00a0She almost said no but when she saw the kids she said, &#8220;follow me&#8221;. \u00a0Bless her heart, she took us to what I think was the employee bathroom. \u00a0It was way off in the corner and was locked but she let us in. \u00a0She asked if we could find our way back to our train or if we wanted her to wait. \u00a0I told her we could find it. \u00a0And we did. \u00a0So I have to say, I think Boston&#8217;s transit system gets an A+. \u00a0It is affordable, it&#8217;s clean and the employees (at least that we dealt with) were super nice and helpful (except I guess the NO BATHROOMS grouch we encountered).<br \/>\n<a title=\"Jr. Rangers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/27087683780\/in\/album-72157666556977733\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c5.staticflickr.com\/8\/7293\/27087683780_9a70c1a303_n.jpg\" alt=\"Jr. Rangers\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Ava&#8217;s leg had arrived at the UPS store near our campground. \u00a0It was NOT looking good for us to make it by 6:00 when they closed. \u00a0Once we got back to Braintree and in the truck I called to ask if I could pay the $5 over the phone and have them leave it outside for me. \u00a0They said they could not. \u00a0I confirmed that they closed at 6:00, but the guy said they actually close at 6:30! \u00a0&#8220;Ok, I can make it by 6:30 to pick up my package&#8230;.I&#8217;ll see you then&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; the guy on the phone said, &#8220;you have to be here by 6:15 to pick up the package.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But you are open until 6:30 right?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can walk in the store at 6:29 correct?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Will I be able to see the package in the store&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes sir, its sitting right here&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So I would even be able to touch it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But if I give you the $5 you will not let me take my package even though it is only 6:29 and you are still open&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That is correct sir&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Well, we put the hammer down to try to make it by 6:15. \u00a0We rolled up to the store about 6:17. \u00a0Steph told Dacen to go\u00a0in with me and if the guy wouldn&#8217;t give it to us directed him to start crying. \u00a0Well, it was a non-issue. \u00a0I handed over the $5 and the guy gave me the package.<\/p>\n<p>On the way back home we spotted a filling station that had diesel and pulled in. \u00a0It was full service! \u00a0Whoa, we don&#8217;t have these in CO. \u00a0I tell the guy to put in 10 gallons. \u00a0Steph whispers &#8220;I think you are supposed to tip him&#8221;. \u00a0I decide to chat with him and make sure he knows we&#8217;re not from here and not used to full service stations. \u00a0I give him my card, he runs it and when he comes back to the window Brielle says &#8220;are you going to tip him Papa?&#8221; \u00a0Jeepers!! \u00a0Luckily I don&#8217;t think he heard and there was no spot for a tip on the credit card ticket.<\/p>\n<p>What a day. \u00a0So many people contributed to making our day great. \u00a0We had fun and got some errands taken care of and are ready for our move to New Hampshire in the morning.<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157666556977733_1466\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7446\/26755693954_cac442c349.jpg\" title=\"Wompatuk site K001\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Wompatuk site K001<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7059\/27087693200_f29a7aedd3.jpg\" title=\"Ava and the Beast\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ava and the Beast<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7407\/27329781966_19bd37b7c2.jpg\" title=\"Pre battle\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Pre battle<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7281\/26755692664_7495d3b36e.jpg\" title=\"Aftermath\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Aftermath<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7684\/27292590121_8c976e151d.jpg\" title=\"Riding the T\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Riding the T<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7376\/26756577793_7f45d5b065.jpg\" title=\"Freedom Trail\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Freedom Trail<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7391\/27363088765_7ec1d41d92.jpg\" title=\"State House\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>State House<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7439\/26755691384_7b2277e3c8.jpg\" title=\"Granary burial ground\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Granary burial ground<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7335\/26755690774_6659fd289f.jpg\" title=\"Revere&#039;s grave\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Revere's grave<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7483\/27265517512_121e76699a.jpg\" title=\"PITA\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>PITA<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7605\/27292588121_de11e02525.jpg\" title=\"Hrmmm\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Hrmmm<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7139\/26756575583_043482e6d3.jpg\" title=\"Ice cream\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ice cream<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7292\/27329775746_4c422de1e6.jpg\" title=\"On guard\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>On guard<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7577\/26756574673_1b5bb63e7d.jpg\" title=\"Sardines\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Sardines<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7419\/26756573243_88d2ca2ca8.jpg\" title=\"Carol\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Carol<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7060\/27292586361_f57a9f3132.jpg\" title=\"Old North Church\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Old North Church<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7305\/27292586131_a3d76e681e.jpg\" title=\"Pipe organ\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Pipe organ<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7413\/27329772596_7f19717204.jpg\" title=\"Listening in church\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Listening in church<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7435\/27087691450_0a421de32b.jpg\" title=\"Time for lunch\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Time for lunch<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7403\/26755683814_13afe3c0a5.jpg\" title=\"Lunch time\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lunch time<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7736\/27265513392_36dc3a385c.jpg\" title=\"Photo bomb\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Photo bomb<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7032\/27087689180_3841d1f9ce.jpg\" title=\"Printing press\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Printing press<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7368\/27265512592_8e46f93713.jpg\" title=\"Chocolate maker\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Chocolate maker<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7465\/26755681864_834e28663b.jpg\" title=\"Making chocolate\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Making chocolate<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7288\/27265511862_5fba8d13ae.jpg\" title=\"Charlestown bridge\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Charlestown bridge<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7393\/27292578891_e4c82d0895.jpg\" title=\"At Bunker Hill\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>At Bunker Hill<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7654\/27265510702_d304885aa1.jpg\" title=\"View from the top\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>View from the top<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7735\/27087686530_90e2679f0d.jpg\" title=\"Checking out the view\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Checking out the view<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7452\/27292576901_0b7bf15a79.jpg\" title=\"Ranger Eric\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ranger Eric<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7043\/27292576071_d9c98dbd3c.jpg\" title=\"Bunker Hill Monument\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Bunker Hill Monument<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7553\/27292575791_7b04d598db.jpg\" title=\"USS Constitution\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>USS Constitution<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7384\/27265506782_b834818979.jpg\" title=\"Sailor Dude\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Sailor Dude<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7102\/27363071715_1f251c98f2.jpg\" title=\"Checking out USS Cassin\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Checking out USS Cassin<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7293\/27087683780_9a70c1a303.jpg\" title=\"Jr. Rangers\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Jr. Rangers<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7338\/26756563893_a92dba0f18.jpg\" title=\"Cool Bridge\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cool Bridge<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7665\/27329783136_97689df6e1.jpg\" title=\"Commuters\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Commuters<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157666556977733_1466\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday we were able to get about half of the Freedom Trail completed, so today we were targeting the 2nd half. \u00a0We knew what we were doing this time so before we left home I dismounted the truck&#8217;s antenna and we cruised on out to the Braintree station. \u00a0We go in to pay for parking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[57,58],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1789"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1789"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1803,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1789\/revisions\/1803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}