My husband and I had a trip booked to Ireland in June 2020. Due to Covid, the trip never happened. For a myriad of reasons, it’s a trip that likely won’t happen any time soon, so I want to virtually go on the trip that we were supposed to go on two years ago.
I’ve pulled up my old itinerary, and I’m going to explore as much of this holiday as virtually as I can. I don’t intend to burn through this, but take my time and go rather slowly. I will post this trip in “daily” installments (for I am finding out that doing virtual tours takes a whole lot of time!). Come join me on my virtual vacation! (note: click on red hyper-links to take a virtual tour yourself!)
DAY 1: fly Phoenix to Boston redeye (10p-6a).
Rent a car, drive to LEXINGTON / CONCORD
ABOUT: The towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts mark the site where American colonists fought the British Army in a bid to retain their rights as British subjects (circa 1775) in a series of skirmishes which would escalate into a war of independence lasting for eight years.
BUCKMAN TAVERN: Built in 1710, this central tavern on the Green was a gathering place for both locals and travelers alike, and is the site of many important town meetings. Captain Parker and his militia gathered in this tavern in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775, to await the oncoming British Redcoat troops. (scroll through photos below)
HANCOCK-CLARKE HOUSE: Built in 1737, this house was the parsonage for the town of Lexington during the 18th century. Visit the home of Reverend Jonas Clarke where patriot guests John Hancock and Samuel Adams were awakened by Paul Revere and his famous warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775. (scroll through photos below)
MUNROE TAVERN: Built in 1735, this important tavern was taken over and used by the British Redcoat troops on their retreat back to Boston in the afternoon of April 19, 1775 (one photo below)
MINUTEMAN NATIONAL PARK VIRTUAL TOUR-ISH VIDEO:
CONCORD VIRTUAL TOURS: NATURAL LANDS: HIGHLIGHTS: I had fun taking these “hiking” tours on my desktop! So, so pretty!!! (scroll through photos below)
I tried finding virtual tours for several Concord area sites, but came up empty handed. (The Old Manse, Orchard House, Concord Museum, got close with the Ralph Waldo Emerson House, though) I did buzz through one walking tour.
In my search, I came across this fantastic video about a lady named Elizabeth Freeman who lived in Sheffield, Mass (which was nowhere near Concord):
I took a nice little virtual walk around WALDEN POND
Both Emerson and Thoreau are buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery:
Some Emerson Quotes:
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
It is not length of life, but depth of life.
The years teach much which the days never know.
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.
Some Thoreau Quotes:
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.
CONCLUSION: This was supposed to be a day immersed in history. It was also to be a pilgrimage to the site of my philosophical hero. I wanted to walk where Thoreau once walked, see the trees that Thoreau once saw, and listen to the birds that Thoreau enjoyed hearing. Alas, maybe someday this pilgrimage will happen. It is a promise that I have made to myself.
And no trip to Boston would have been complete without a bowl of Clam Chowder and Lobster Rolls!
These are some recipes that I will be making at home in the very near future:
1- Clam Chowder, 2-Lobster Rolls, 3-Boston Baked Beans 4-Roast Beef Sandwich
I will do follow up posts of the foodie results. I’m not always the best cook, so this will be a fun challenge for me!
all screenshots are copyright of the websites.
Next up: Red-eye flight BOSTON-DUBLIN 1044P-950A. Take a bus to BELFAST.
Krista Marson 
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