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Boston/Lexington Family Life Bus Trip, Oct 2006
Many, many thanks to Brothers Richard Denno and Gerry Mamaclay for contributing photos to this story...
On Sunday, October 8, 2006, a sunny and crisp early autumn day, the Valley of Hartford took their long anticipated Boston/Lexington tour. The trip, part of the Valley's Family Life program, had been in the planning stages for some months, and was the culmination of efforts by the Family Life committe, the Valley Secretary, and the Executive Council.
The group of brothers, family and friends, 36-strong, left the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Newington at 7:30 a.m., bound for Boston. Coffee and bagels, as well as other refreshment were provided on the way up. A short bathroom break was provided at the Charlton rest area on the Massaschusetts turnpike, and we were soon on our way again into Beantown.
Arriving at the Science Museum (the departure point for our Boston Duck Tour), we departed our coach and boarded our Duck. Our group was fortunate in that the Boston Duck Tour folks had provided a "stretch" Duck that day, which held all 36 passengers.... Because of the rainbow stripe on its side, we dubbed it the "Rainbow Duck":
Shortly after this picture was taken, our con-DUCK-tor (driver/tourguide), the notorious "Jailbird George", buttoned up the back of our Duck and we prepared to depart for a tour of the city of Boston.
Before leaving the departure point, Jailbird George gave us the rules of the trip, including the obligatory answer to a question he would ask us many times during the next eighty minutes:
George:
Can I get a quack-quack?
Us:Quack-Quack!!!
By the way, more information can be found on these very interesting amphibious vehicles on the duck history page.
Jailbird George, still dressed in his prisoner uniform (he told us he had just broken out of the city jail),prepares to take us on our ride around Boston.
In spite of his stern look, he was non-stop funny throughout the entire trip, and even managed to give us a complete history lesson on the ctiy of Boston.
"Can I get a quack-quack?"
The Duck Tour begins...
The first portion of the tour took place on the streets of Boston. Jailbird George kept up a non-stop tour description filled with more interesting facts about the city of Boston, the history of the city of Boston, and other anectdotal stories than any one person could possibly seem to remember, all punctuated with the trademark "Can I get a quack-quack?"
As you can see from the picture, we all couldn't wait for the tour to start. This picture was taken while Jailbird George, our con-DUCK-tor, was giving us the rules for the trip..... (note the many life jackets above our heads that were available to us -- but NOT needed!)
Say, aren't those the same all-American girls from the baseball game photos????
Some points of interest included the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the Hancock Tower (with the Rainbow Duck reflected in its mirror-like windows), the State House (notice its trademark gold dome), Fanueil Hall, and a quick peek at the steeple of the Old North Church ("One if by land, two if by sea").
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on Tremont Street in Boston. We did not get to stop and go inside, but you can learn more about it by visiting the Massachusetts Grand Lodge website.
Our Rainbow Duck reflected in the windows of the John Hancock Tower....
The Massachusetts State House, where their State Legislature meets. Again, we did not stop our tour to go inside, and thus we missed the nearly 5-foot long wooden codfish that hangs over their lesiglative chamber. See Statehouse Cod Fish article to learn more....
Fanueil Hall (with Quincy Market behind) where we would later stop for lunch....
Saving Money on Postcards...
During our tour, Jailbird George would often say something like, "Cameras ready on the left side of the duck, there's the Old North Church steeple, if you take a picture now you can save yourself $2.50 on the postcard."
"One if by land, two if by..hey, where'd it go?"
Of course, the duck never stopped moving, so sometimes you got just a peek at what you'd find on the postcard......