We arrived at the Hanscom Air Force Base, near Bedford, MA, late Wednesday afternoon (August 31) with plenty of time to set up before dark. The park has two distinct sections—one with no shade, but 50 amp hook-ups for electricity (which means everything can be powdered at once and no worries about using the hair dryer when the TV and A/C are running) and another with larger sites with trees but only 30 amp power. When checking in they ask if we want full hook-up, which to me means electricity, water and sewer hook-up. To them it meant 50 amp electricity, water and sewer so they assigned us to the open area. We came out of the office, looked at all the nice shady sites, realized that ours was in total sunshine, and returned to the office. Needless to say, we have a 30 amp site, we can turn off the A/C when Pat needs to use the hair dryer!

Thursday was a relaxing day with a pleasant bike ride into Lexington (rest stop was at the village green where the Red Coats met the Colonials in the first battle of the Revolutionary War) and a trip to the base exchange for some groceries. Late afternoon saw us at Boston Logan Airport to pick up Elisabeth coming in from Raleigh, NC.

There was nothing relaxing about the next three days but we reviewed a lot of history! Friday included more Revolutionary War history with a hike along Battle Road Trail near Concord—site of Paul Revere’s capture, Hartwell Tavern and North Bridge among other places. We visited Louisa May Alcott’s home (where she wrote Little Women) and Walden Pond (of Ralph Waldo Emerson fame). Saturday and Sunday were days spent in Boston walking the Freedom Trail, climbing to the top of the Bunker Hill monument (294 steps), touring the USS Constitution and cruising Boston Harbor. We also ate some delicious Boston food! And had sore feet every evening! But we all enjoyed it and the time with Elisabeth was great! Unfortunately we had to leave her at the airport Sunday evening—the time was all too short.

Militia Drill at Hartwell Tavern

Concord Bridge

USS Constitution

Faneuil Hall

Old North Church & Paul Revere Monument

Monday we woke up full of energy again—must be all that healthy Boston Food, so we rode our bikes back out to North Bridge in Concord and to the Fruit Market not far from the campground. Our total mileage was about 19 miles and we were back in time for lunch! I think the hit of the ride was when we had to stop to let a woman cross the bike path with her FIVE GOATS ON LEASHES!  Now that was a first!  The rest of the day was relaxing (at least for Pat, Bob had to pack) and then we had a campground picnic in the evening. It was a nice chance to meet more of our neighbors here. Some of them spend many of the winter months in Key West at the military campground so maybe we’ll see them there if we make it there in February/March.

Concord Bridge & the Minuteman Monument