Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Adams Family, Textiles, Canals & Minute Men

Boston Minuteman Campground
Littleton, Massachusetts



On Sunday we spent the day in Quincy visiting the Adams family sites (not the creepy Adams Family from TV but the presidential one).  The Park Service runs a trolley that takes you to the sites for guided tours.









The birthplace of John Adams is on the original foundation, but now the land is a narrow plot with heavily traveled roads on each side.

John Quincy Adams was born in the house adjacent to this one.








This is "Peace Field"  where the Adams families lived in later years.

















Under all the foliage is the stone library built by John Quincy Adams' son to house the books and papers of his father and grandfather.




We shared the road with this turkey family.  This area hasn't had much rain so the grass is really dry.














Yesterday we went to Lowell to see the restored textile district.  The Park Service has rebuilt over 400 structures since this area became a national historic site.










I wasn't too keen on the canal tour when I saw how many people were squeezed into that tiny boat but we were pleasantly surprised to find out that we were the only ones signed up for the noon tour.  Sure was nice having a private tour.











We  got caught up in the current when the boat was turning into this canal and we hit the block wall very hard.  The ranger was thrown from her seat and fell to the floor.  Seat belts, anyone?








The structure on the left controls the gates that allow the proper amount of water for the mills.  On the right is the lock for river traffic.

The best part of the day was the Greek restaurant we found for lunch.




 


Today we explored Minute Man Park.  Looks like someone got a little too close to the sign when turning the corner.



 







Hartwell Tavern








Minute Man statute

Notice the musket in one hand and the plow in the other.
















North Bridge - where the "shot heard around the world" was fired.





 





The rangers warned everyone about the necessity of staying hydrated in the 90 degree heat.  If they thought today was hot, they should try Arizona in July.































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