Freedom Trail - part 3, day 2

Since we didn't make it onto the boats or to Bunkerhill yesterday, we returned to Boston today.

First up, climbing aboard the USS Constitution.

Listening to current Navy sailors tell stories of the Constitution's past.

Climbing all over the ship.

Looks like the galley on the pier is still serving sailors.

Now, climbing aboard the USS Cassin Young, a Navy destroyer used until the 1960s.

We thought we had missed the tour, but it turns out on Saturdays there are extra tours given by volunteers, in addition to the tours given by the National Park Service. Still, the tour we were about to go on had too many participants. So the guide at the back end of the tour volunteered to take just our family. Mr. Bradford, formerly of the US Coast Guard, gave us a really special 2hr tour!

Ky stumped him and Google by asking how much these weigh.

The boys got to climb on these guns and turn them and raise and lower them with these hand cranks.

We learned so much about this destroyer ship and military life on the ship thanks to our very kind and knowledgeable guide. I am consistently amazed at the special tours we get to go on. I know it is a blessing. I also think that people give tours really like it when you have time to listen and are interested in what they have to say. Some say the Freedom Trail can be done in 1 1/2hrs, but I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to take two days to do the trail and experience the special extras.

At the end of our tour, Mr. Bradford gave us a ship's coin, "as a gift from the volunteers on the USS Cassin Young to the Grubb family".