So, after letting the idea sit, we decided against the fireworks. Instead, we opted for an activity-filled day. The big news in Boston has been the ‘Tall Ships‘ which are a bunch of boats visiting for the holiday. OpSail 2012 is bringing thousands of sailors in to join the celebration – and this means, their ships are here too! So, what better way to celebrate our Independence Day than visit the ships docked in Boston to celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.
As a plane & ship enthusiast, Vinay brought me along with him to see New York City’s Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum complex when we were dating. So, the Bicentennial event was right up our alley.
We packed up early and were waiting in line at noon when the gates opened…
And man was it hot!!! Avery is under that hat keeping cool.
There were a bunch of naval ships from the US, Germany, Canada, and England docked, awaiting the masses of curious visitors. They were huge!!!
Avery & I are so tiny next to the big ships! (and yes, I’m feeding him a bottle-gotta keep hydrated on a hot day!)
We first toured the Canadian ship – Here were are on bow…
I think the ships behind us are German & American.
We wandered around and saw a dummy they throw into the water for training, and their work-out area, and here’s Vinay (and our friend & his son) on the deck…
And when we asked a gentleman on the ship (carrying a BIG gun!) about the ship, he told us it’s main purpose was refueling other ships out in the water. They most recently brought fuel (and beer) to the ship docked next to them. Who could need anything else at sea? Fuel and beer.
And Avery loved the rope railings… he held on and looked down into the water for a while…
Then it was off to the American ship, which had a HUGE line. By the time we got on the ship (in a tour group) we had been baking in the sun for way too long and we still had to wait in a group to see parts of the ship, so we ducked out and headed to Castle Island (a beach/park) for some lunch… and ice cream!
Yum! So, no fireworks, but lots of fun! We still have plans to do something on the 4th.. so the holiday fun isn’t over yet.
What are you doing to Celebrate the 4th of July?
We say the tall ships here in Baltimore. They are very cool. I was much less ambitious than you and Vinay tho. I just took Mac down to the water to watch them parade in and out of the harbor – we didn’t brave any tours.