Day 1 in Boston- Forest Hills Cemetery and the Freedom Trail

We took a red eye to Boston which left us with plenty of time on the day of our arrival to explore the city.  Sylvia (Fred's sister) and I started our Boston tour across the street from her condo in Jamaica Plain, at Forest Hills Cemetery.  

The 275 acre cemetery was founded in 1875 and is named one of the 1,000 greatest places in Massachusetts.  This cemetery is not a place of sadness, people enjoy the grounds with walks, concerts, and weddings.  

These are her pugs, Lyndon B Johnson (LBJ) and Lady Bird.  

We had fish and chips and a beer at the oldest tavern in Massachusetts, The Warren Tavern.  It is over 225 years old, and the food in delicious.   

It is apparent that we have a great tour guide.  Sylvia has lived here for 12 years and knows the city like the back of her hand.

After lunch we walked along the Freedom Trail, starting at Bunker Hill monument, and a great view of the city.  

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile trail through the city of Boston; it is marked with a red line (sometimes made of brick) on the sidewalk. The purpose of the trail is to preserve the history of the American Revolution.  

This is a dry dock used for ship repair. 

We are aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned war ship in the world.  It was first launched in 1797, and is owned and operated by the US Navy.  Since we were constantly being yelled at for touching things I felt like it was time to leave...

You can rent this "shinny house" on VRBO, it is an unofficial site on the Freedom Trail.  

The Old North church is the oldest standing church in Boston; it opened its doors in 1723.  In 1775 Paul Revere and Robert Newman established their code, which ignited the American Revolution.  Newman hung two lanterns in the steeple that year which meant that the British were coming by sea.  

The steeple is behind us but since there were no lanterns hanging I think this means that the British are not coming.  Phew.

Paul Revere lived in this house for thirty years.  It is an oldie but a goodie.  

The street that Paul Revere lived on is gorgeous.  

What an amazing first day in Boston... and an amazing anniversary!  

Children's Pool

Marla, my aunt Kathy and I took to the girls to the Children's Pool in La Jolla.  It was their first time, and on Marla's list of things to do this summer.

The seawall was built in the 30's for children to have a protected area to swim in.  But since its resurrection harbor seals and sea lions have found the protected area ideal for sunbathing and raising pups.  It has been a local controversy as far back as I can remember.  Some people think that the beach should be given back to the wildlife (there has been interesting theories of how to gett rid of the seals such as a recording of a barking dog) and there are some that believe that it should be saved for the seals.

I think it should be given to the seals.  We have so many beaches for swimming.  The Children's Pool brings in more tourists, and smiles, for seals than for swimming.  

Bell Trail and Wet Beaver Creek

Arizona is amazing. It is so much more than red rocks, cacti, and three digit temperatures. After a delicious breakfast with KC we stopped off on our way home for a last AZ hike.  Bell trail was chosen because it is just 2 miles off the I-17. 

We did part of the 6 mile trail that borders Wet Beaver creek. There were red rocks, cacti and three digit temperatures but there was also lots of water and small animals like butterflies, birds and lizards. 

We swam in the creek and then continued the drive home with a light coating of red rock silt. 

We love Arizona. 

Lockett Meadow hike

Fred's new hobby is tree identification, which means that he spends hikes with his nose in a book, which is ironic.  

My uncle KC suggested that we hike Lockett Meadow, which is basically the backside of Snowbowl (where we snowboard).  Unfortunately, due to monsoons and possible flash floods we had to hike 3 miles to get to the meadow when you can usually drive and hike from there.  It was a beautiful hike regardless.

We dragged my 16 year old, 6'1" cousin us. He is not a big fan of hiking but due to our limited time I would not take no for an answer.  He had fun though, or at least I told him that he did.  

Behind us is the Grand Canyon (but it is hard to see in the picture).

Wyatt, you are having fun.  

I love meadows because it means there will be wildflowers and butterflies.  We were not disappointed. 

Wyatt, you are having fun.  

Fording Sycamore Rim Trail

My aunt Kathy had suggested a hike that she did while her and my uncle were in Flagstaff earlier this summer, before monsoon season.  Since Fred and I had the whole day devoted to hiking we decided to take on the 11-mile Sycamore Rim Trail.  

The only issue was that Flagstaff had monsoon rains for two weeks leaving the trail rather undefined. Almost immediately into our hike Fred was waist deep in murky rain water.  

The Sycamore Rim trail was established in 1979, and according to the Forest Service website was "born of the idea that this environment of ponds, streams, cliffs, and deep canyons were unique, and worthy of preservation in as nearly an undisturbed condition as possible". 

The trail was under water practically the entire time. 

The river that was once at our feet feeds into a deep canyon, the creation of our planets topography at its finest.  

Fred wants you to hike and protect designated wilderness lands (he never stops working).  

The views of Ponderosa pines are spectacular and seemingly endless. 

I made new friends.

The last leg of the hike was spent with our legs in the river once again (this is how we knew we were almost back to the car).  The end of the hike was the most difficult to stay on the trail as it was not well marked but Fred set his compass and we eventually found our way.  

What a beautiful hike.