Massachusetts offers a wealth of history, beauty, and culture. With the arrival of the first Pilgrims in the Mayflower in 1620, Plymouth Rock is where modern day U.S. history as we know it all began. Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and one of the oldest cities in the country. Home to well over a half a million residences, Boston is the New England’s mecca of culture, history, education, economic activity and technology. Students come from all over the world to attend some the countries top-rated colleges such as Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University. Those seeking the best medical care available are attracted to Mass General, Brigham and Women’s, and the Children’s Hospital. If its history you want, Boston has lots of that. Visit the Boston Aquarium, The Museum of Science, or the Museum of Fine Arts. To really get an insight on early American history takes a walk on the Freedom Trail. A few of the landmarks you’ll see are the Boston Common, one of the countries oldest public parks, the Granary Burring Ground, the Old North Church, and the USS Constitution. “Old Ironside”. And of course, Boston is home to Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox’s (I’m a Yankees fan myself). Enjoy a frank and some popcorn in one of the smallest and oldest ballparks in the U.S. Finding a place to stay won’t be an issue as there are many hotels through out the city. Take a cab or travel the T, America’s first subway, to experience some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment Boston has to offer.

In My Footsteps: Hingham, Ma

abe-lincoln-statue On these travel trips I tend to have a pretty good idea of what I am going to see when I visit a certain place. It is not often that I am totally surprised by something that I come across. This is exactly what happened when I visited the town of Hingham and came face to face with Abraham Lincoln.

Hingham’s Main Street was nicknamed ‘The Main Street of America’ by Eleanor Roosevelt during World War II because of her belief that it embodied the typical American town during wartime. To celebrate its 375th anniversary as a town Hingham painted the center line on Main Street red, white, and blue. It was something so simple but it helped add to the ‘American town’ ideal that Mrs. Roosevelt had alluded to.

Despite the plethora of historical sites to visit I began my visit to Hingham along the water. With a great view of Hull, the Hingham Bathing Beach and Town Landing provided a relaxing walk and a cool breeze. There is a great view out toward Boston Harbor and a green area to the east which is home to a cool statue of a barefoot man on a horse on top of a hill. I have been trying to find out whom the person on the horse is but it has been to no avail thus far. The Bathing Beach on Otis Street is very popular for those trying to escape the rush of Boston, but folks from any neighboring town make it a point to partake in its relaxing beauty.

In My Footsteps: Gloucester, Mass.

Even better than the first time, if it was humanly possible. This is how I sum up my second visit to the amazing fishing port of Gloucester. My initial visit in late winter was magnificent as I was able to see all of the sites the town is known for. This time, a mid-summer jaunt, was even better thanks to the warm sunny weather and the fact that I was able to visit even more spots I did not have the chance to see before.

For those who did not read my previous article Gloucester is America’s oldest seaport. Fishing is as synonymous with this town as the famous Witch Trials are to Salem. Located so close to Boston there is really no reason not to make the trip up here and see what in my opinion is the shining example of what a fishing village should be.

In My Footsteps: Cape Cod Lighthouses

race-point-lighthouse Lighthouses. Their defined purpose is that of steering ships from the treacherous coasts that they inhabit. These guardian angel structures do their job and yet have also gained stature as historic landmarks wherever they stand. For me, any of my trips that have included coastlines have to include at least one lighthouse; they make the trip. Luckily for me there are many of these amazing beacons located such a short drive away all over Cape Cod.

Incredibly the first lighthouse was not built in America, nor was it even built in the last thousand years. No, the first example of a structure built to aid in navigation for sailors was the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Built between 280 and 247 B.C. on the island of Pharos at Alexandria, Egypt the lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It used fire and reflective mirrors to produce a visible light and was said to be visible from up to twenty-nine miles away due to its incredible height of between 393-450 feet. Two earthquakes in 1303 and 1323 damaged the lighthouse so much that it was rendered useless; its remains are able to be seen during diving expeditions.

Cape Cod’s lighthouses can be divided into three categories: easy access, difficult access, and inaccessible. Obviously the easily accessible lighthouses are the most popular as well.

In My Footsteps: Brockton, Massachusetts

brockton fire station Brockton, nicknamed the City of Champions for its connection to boxing legend Rocky Marciano.It may be all of that to the average visitor but to me it is a lot more than that. To me Brockton is where a large part of my family lived and came from. This trip was just as much about seeing where my mother and grandparents lived and spent time as it was to see the historical sites and some natural beauty that lies within the city’s limits. Originally called part of Bridgewater, and then North Bridgewater, until 1874 Brockton got its name from Isaac Brock. Brock was a British soldier nicknamed the ‘Hero of Upper Canada.’ He fought and died during the War of 1812 at the Battle of Queenston Heights in present-day Ontario, Canada.

In My Footsteps: Hingham, Ma

In My Footsteps: Gloucester, Mass.

In My Footsteps: Cape Cod Lighthouses

In My Footsteps: Brockton, Massachusetts

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