Bean Town, USA

 Well, food poisoning has a way of putting a heavy damper on any trip. Was sick as a dog and then some last night. Good thing the girls are big enough to forage for their own dinner and that the campground had an actual flush toilet and hot running water. Feeling not so great today, too, but at least the system’s entirely purged. DON’T get the steamed clams at Sprague’s in Wiscansett!

Started our day at the Salem Witch Museum for a look at that terrible part in our nation’s history. The girls and I had talked about it before we got into town, and E read a bit about it. The history was well and fairly, I think, told. The presentation that followed in the museum talked about periods in history where fear ruled the day.

Boston certainly got the short shrift today with me not feeling entirely up to par, the rain drizzling all day and our plan of attack not very well planned at all. We DID take the commuter train in to town, which was a life saver given these roads, traffic and drivers. Kids under 12 ride free, too, so it was a good deal at $10 round trip for the 30-minute (each way) ride right into TD Gardens.

We made our way onto the Freedom Trail where we toured Faneuil (sp?) Hall; stopped by Oyster House (but certainly didn’t stop in…ugh!); ate lunch of Boston Beans, N/E Clam Chowder and Nachos (go figure); checked out Old State House; then hopped on a harbor tour and bus tour of the city for a good look before dark. Had the last bus tour, so the driver went off the route to show us some more of his favorite spots before turning us all loose.

The streets of Boston were clearly laid out to emulate London streets (or at least the English model). Very convoluted, and tough to navigate, even on foot. SO glad we took light rail.

Tonight, back at Winter Island, a great find for urban camping. Sure, it’s next to a power plant which, I’m sure, at some time wasn’t nearly as clean as it seems to be now. The site is on a spit (formerly an island I’m sure) that has been home to Fort Pickering (now abandoned but a fun place to explore), a sandy beach, a rocky beach, a playground, picnic areas and marina. Hot showers. Friendly people. And relatively inexpensive given its proximity to city.