When the idea
for this run was conceived, it was to recognize and remember police and law
enforcement offers who had fallen in the line of duty. Over time, veteran's were also part of the
remembrance. For me, our itinerary made
it easy to include many others. We rode
and walked through sites forever tied to the American revolution and the birth
of our nation. The greens at Lexington
and Concord; the roads along which the Massachusetts militia clashed with the
British and blood was first shed in the fledging cause; the road ridden by Paul
Revere and his associates as they set out to warn the communities that the
British were on their way; and even some of the homes that still stand and
where the seeds of the revolution were planted and took root. History comes alive when walking the ground
where it took place - and such was the case in the Boston area for this
trip. We also had the good fortune of
having an excellent guide accompany us.
On the day we visited many of these sites, we met Camille Bennett Foster
(Brad's sister and someone I knew very well in my youth and have stayed in
touch with over the years), who has lived in the area for probably 30
years. She was very familiar with the
area and the history and took us to some great sites and gave us some excellent
insights. We also visited the Minutemen
National Historical Park where exhibits and information enhanced the experience
and gave us renewed appreciation for those who paved the way for future
generations. In addition to the
Revolutionary War experience, Camille took us to several other sites we would
never have known about on our own - indeed a cradle of early American
literature, to include the home of Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne (a
literary tradition for several generations in this home), Henry David Thoreau,
and Walden's Pond, to include his small shanty where he lived "off the
land" for several years. It was
both interesting and enlightening - definitely time well-spent.
As for the
run, itself, it showcased much of Boston and was a race with both an urban and
an historical flavor. It started
downtown on the waterfront at the Seaport World Trade Center, but then snaked
through the city between glitzy, modern skyscrapers and past old quarters where
taverns have stood for three centuries.
It also followed the Charles River past MIT to Harvard Square with its
Ivy League history. It was a very good
run, with good support along the way, and lots of spectators. After the race we
made a special stop - courtesy of Karen's particular interest - which you will
immediately recognize. We visited the
birthplace and first home of John F. Kennedy.
When we arrived we learned it was his birthday! The Park Service was celebrating with free
admission to the home and birthday cake in the back. It was actually a worthwhile stop.
One other
note concerning the race and our visit; we had exceptional Rachel care. She stayed with Amy Eyring, who is Pres.
Eyring's daughter-in-law, and had a great time. After the race, we went to church with them, visited the Boston Temple
and were her guests for a wonderful Sunday evening and dinner to cap off the
day (it was also Amy's birthday), with Camille and her husband Dave joining us. Amy's husband, Matt, was in Utah with his son
at a Jimmer Fredette basketball camp, so we didn't meet him, but it was a
delightful family and visit.
I think it is
safe to say that history - of any kind - was not one of my favorite subjects as
I went through school. However, over the
years I have come to enjoy reading books on history - and every once in awhile
- have had the good fortune and remarkable experience of it coming alive. The academic then becomes much more than
pages in a book - the people more real - and the places indeed hallowed
ground. Such was our experience as we
visited Massachusetts for Boston's Run to Remember - and the chance to give
Revolutionary Running a whole new meaning.
Pick up a
book and read something about our history.
Better yet, follow it up with a visit.
You might find it amazing where and how our history was made and our
futures shaped.
4 comments:
that sounds like a really neat trip Daddy. that would be really cool to visit all those historic places and get that feel for our history like that. I'm glad you guys had such a good time and had a knowledgeable guide. :) congrats on another race finished! you guys are awesome. love you!
Another great recap, sweetie! Boston is such a great city, and we met some wonderful people in the process. Thanks for recording it to memory. I love you!
Sounds like a great race and what a fun trip with all the historical tid bits here and there. So fun for you guys!! I would love to head back to Boston someday and now you will be the perfect tour guide. ;)
:) Glad it went well. It looks like you learned quite a bit and now maybe you don't hate your high school history teacher quite as much!
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