Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775

Yesterday, my final day of vacation out East, Hans, Josiah, Annika and I drove to Lexington, Massachusetts, to tour the Minute Man National Park. This park includes: Lexington's Battle Green where on April 19, 1775 the famous "shot heard 'round the world" occurred during the very first battle of the Revolutionary War. The Green is also where the Minuteman Statue by H. H. Kitson is located. Concord's Old North Bridge where on April 19, 1775 Colonial militia men turned back British troops after the Battle of Lexington. This site includes Daniel Chester French's well-known Minute Man Statue. The five-mile "Battle Road Trail" between Lexington and Concord, including a restored colonial landscape approximating the path of the running skirmishes between British troops and Colonial militia, the site at which Paul Revere was captured during his midnight ride, and the Hartwell's Tavern, a restored 18th-century tavern on Battle Road. The Wayside, home in turn to authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney.

I won't attempt to give a review of this historical time of the birth of our nation, but tell you in my words that it meant a lot to see the area and made me appreciate the difficult struggle our forefathers had. Freedom always comes with a price. It's easy for us to forget that price they paid.

Touring this area with Hans was fun because he is so knowledgeable. I can ask him just about anything, and he knows the answer. It was also fun having the kids along. Though they didn't understand what went on here, they loved seeing a duck in the pond. Annika got so excited and waved at it with both hands. She loves saying, "Quack, quack, quack" whenever she sees a duck or a chicken. It is adorable. Josiah was intrigued with the big rocks here and there and wanted to climb to the top of most of them.

At the conclusion of our visit to this area, Hans drove me to the Logan airport terminal in Boston for my flight home. It was such a great time. I miss all of them.

Thank you, Hans, Rachel, Josiah and Annika!!