Lexington and Concord

The OHR gang enjoyed a relatively low key day today.  We slept in after our LATE night at the ghost tour last night, and left camp after breakfast for the 45 minute drive north to Concord and Lexington, the birthplace of the Revolution. 

We started by stopping in Concord to walk around downtown and check out the shops and cafe's.  What a beautiful New England town!  We enjoyed some fine chowda at a local cafe, and then headed over to the Minuteman National Historical Park visitors center to begin our touring.  From there we walked to the North Bridge, the site where colonists first fired against the King's troops, igniting the fight for independence. 

At this site also stands the famous Minuteman statue, with the inscription by local poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

The girls had some fun climbing a few of the giant trees near the bridge.

Stella loved climbing trees!  Check out the look of joy on that face.

We then drove down the Battle Road, where colonial militia fired upon the retreating British soldiers as they tried to return to Boston.  Being here brings alive those days in 1775 when brave men and women began the struggle to free themselves from British tyranny.  After seeing the Old North Church where the two lanterns were hung, seeing Charlestown where Revere began his midnight ride, and now seeing where the events of that night and day culminated in the first shots of the war being fired, the famous "shot heard round the world", we have a better appreciation for the events leading to the Revolution. 

After returning to the campsite, Bud and Shirley started a fire and carried on with an intellectual and spirited discussion of our favorite patriot son...