Despite having an afternoon flight back to reality, I once again had to wake before the crack of dawn to reach the airport in order for my mom to catch her flight. We arrived punctually and said our goodbyes, thankful for the week together. My flight was still many hours away though, so rather than boringly examine the inside of the terminal, I embarked on a whirlwind tour of Boston. After checking my bags, I hopped on the T, hoping to see the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.

I did exactly not know how to reach my desired destination, but after extendedly staring at a large system map, an attendant offered assistance. With a thick Boston accent, he told me the necessary trains to take and assured me the way there was "wicked easy." My theory is that the T intentionally employs Bostonians with heavy inflections spouting New England colloquialisms just to entertain and impress the tourists. Even more of a novelty though, was a city worker actually being useful, especially on a Sunday.

USS Constitution

USS Constitution

I rode to Boston College as prescribed and after disembarking the train, it was not very obvious where to proceed. Wandering around the strange city though, I quickly found street signs pointing in the right direction. I arrived at Charlestown Navy Yard and immediately saw Old Ironsides floating in the harbor. Such a historical, yet powerful ship was something to behold, with its masts towering into the air and canons pointing outward. I skipped actually venturing onboard though, as I was pressed for time and preferred to avoid the worse-than-airport-security check required before boarding.

USS Cassin Young

Anyway, the WWII and Korean era destroy USS Cassin Young stood just across the dock, allowing unfettered access to all. The boat permitted its visitors up close and personal interaction with its inner workings. The weaponry, gallery, sickbay, operations center, and more could be extensively examined. National Park Service rangers onboard also answered questions and provided even more detailed information.

The USS Constitution Museum also sat along the docks. It contained many artifacts and other exhibits detailing colonial naval history and the life of the USS Constitution, especially highlighting the battles in which it fought. As always though the clock ticked, and I quickly, but adequately surveyed as much as possible before scampering off to find the Bunk Hill Monument.

Bunker Hill

The Bunker Hill Memorial

The Freedom Trail's red line easily led the way to the top of Breeds Hill and its obelisk monument. I climbed the structure’s 294 steps (which would have been impossible a couple days prior just after the marathon) and found an excellent, unobstructed view of Boston. I gazed down at the harbor and tried to image the scene 225 years earlier when the most advanced warships of the world’s most powerful navy stood by as thousands of Red Coats advanced up the slope. Those historic events were nearly incomprehensible in the now peaceful suburban setting.

View from atop the Memorial

After descending the hundreds of steps (which would have been an even more impossible task directly after the marathon), I perused the adjacent Bunker Hill Museum . This institute’s exhibits detailed the battle, painting a great timeline of the events on this soil and their far reaching implications. Among other display, a 360-degree panorama depicted a snapshot of what one might have seen atop the hill as the battle raged.

Very satisfied with my impromptu sightseeing tour and my daily historic knowledge filled to capacity, I headed back to the airport for my flight. I deciphered the T one final time to arrive at Logan. The trip home was peaceful and uneventful, just as air travel should be, and I returned to Cedar Rapids in time to enjoy cooking and consuming some delicious banana bread.