As of July 21, 2008 at 7:00 AM
Steps: 4,068,105
Miles: 1706.23
Miles to New Hampshire: 38.77
The Virtual Walker is leaving Boston today and will be in New Hampshire before the week is over weather permitting. The Real World Walker has been struggling with tired legs, the heat and the humidity. I've enjoyed my "stay" in Boston - its my favorite city on the east coast.
Alix Porras' Impressionistic Swan Boat - Source
The Swan Boats are as much a part of Boston as the bean and the cod. They are the harbinger of Spring to native Bostonians. The Swan Boats are the only boats of their kind in the world. To the delight of the young and old each April for over 120 years, the Swan Boats have appeared in the Public Garden Lagoon. Pedal powered by their driver, they were "green" long before being green was "in".
The Public Garden, established in 1837, was the first public botanical garden in the United States. Today, with plants chosen for "ornamental excellence as well as its botanical diversity", it forms a green and flowering oasis in the heart of Boston. No visit to Boston would be complete without a relaxing stroll in the Garden and a ride on a Swan Boat.
The gardens, consisting of 24 acres, were developed from what was once marsh land, by George V. Meacham. Through the years, modifications to accommodate increasing traffic and availability of new plants have been made. Flower beds provide "glorious color from early April until the frosts of October," and thousands of plants are grown in city greenhouses are used to maintain a continuous ever-refreshing variety on display.
In 1859, by an Act of the Massachusetts Legislature, the Public Garden was preserved forever as an open space for the citizens of Boston.
Source
Boston Duck Tours operates a fleet of restored World War II era DUKWs. These amphibious vehicles played an important role in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. General Motors built 21,000 DUKWs during the war.
...the fun begins as soon as you board your "DUCK", a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle. First, you'll be greeted by one of their legendary ConDUCKtors, who'll be narrating your tour and be given quacking lessons so you can quack at passers-by to say "hello!" in the finest of style.
The tour route includes a loop around the Boston Public Gardens and Lagoon, Boston Commons, Faneuil Hall (and City Hall), a ride up to the north end (along the Freedom Trail) past the USS Constitution and around Breed's Hill (often confused with Bunker Hill), the Museum of Science and a ride in the Charles River under the Longfellow Bridge.
It will quack you up.
Source
7 comments:
I've read about those Boston Duck Tours before. I've always thought they were kinda cute. (it sure quacked me up) :)
*adds another stop to her ever growing list of places to go*
*looks at the duck boats* wow! They got those in Hot Springs Arkansas...long tour they give you..eh?
Is quacking up since they have them in Branson, MO too. After years of passing them up as a tourist trap we couldn't afford, Jim and I rode the ducks a few years ago. It was just ducky!
I like your new page header Iggy. You are definitely a keeper.
Can't wait to see where in New Hampshire you are going to visit.
There are also Duck Tours here in Chicago. I think one of the best ways to see any city, that is bordered by water, is by boat.
*Makes a note to make sure to go there if I ever find myself near or in Boston*
:)
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