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Another Boston Trip in the Books

July 3, 2024 By D'Ann Mateer

You might notice this post has gone up later in the day than usual for me. That’s because we are heading home from another great trip to Boston and it was a late night last night! But more about that later. 

Last year, one arm of my husband’s company began offering historical tours to their supporters. These tours focus on things through the lens of our religious freedom, which is the focus of my husband’s job. This was our second such trip to Boston. And Boston, for us never gets old. Likely part of that is due to getting to see our daughter, but truly, we’ve come to love the city as well. 

Almond babka

Our first morning, which was a day prior to tour participants arriving, Jeff got us babka at Bakey, which is across the street from Boston Commons. Their almond babka is the stuff or sweet-and-carb-laden dreams. After some time with our daughter, including yummy pizza, we decided the 73 degree day begged to be experienced, so we each took a book to the Boston Public Gardens and read as we enjoyed the weather. 

One of the highlights of this Boston tour is always a baseball game at Fenway. This year they weren’t playing our Rangers, so we became Red Sox fans for a day. It wasn’t hard after overhearing a conversation in the row behind us on the airplane about a Texas boy just called up to the Red Sox as a relief pitcher. Even if he still hasn’t officially made his MLB debut on the mound, it was fun to know he could have. 

Italian food and seafood are two of our favorite things here, and we especially love eating in the North End, where there are a million Italian restaurants and bakeries to choose from—along with the history of the Old North church and Paul Revere’s house, among other things. Cannoli at Mike’s is always a must for us. 

I was so excited to get to tour the USS Constitution for the first time in about ten years. I enjoy imagining what it was like to sail the seas on those old boats, but the most fun thing was walking into the visitors center and seeing Sarah Sundin’s books on prominent display!

We ended our time with a dinner cruise on the Charles River capped off by fireworks. 

It will be good to be home but also hard to return to temperatures near triple digits! The 70s and low 80s here have been a dream. But I never mind leaving Boston too much because I always know I’ll be back. 

Have a Happy 4th, y’all!

Have you visited Boston before? What is your favorite activity there? Favorite food? 

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D'Ann Mateer

Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

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Filed Under: History Tagged With: 4th of July, Boston, US history

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Comments

  1. Deborah Raney says

    July 3, 2024 at 6:40 am

    Loved hearing about your trip, D’Ann! Ken and I hope to explore some of the same places in Boston this fall. I might have to pick your brain for not-to-be-missed places since you’ve been several times!

    • D'Ann Mateer says

      July 3, 2024 at 11:47 am

      Of course! And I have restaurant recommendations too!

  2. Karen Witemeyer says

    July 3, 2024 at 7:34 am

    What a wonderful trip, D’Ann! I’ve never been to Boston but would love to visit one day. So much US history there to discover! I visited Baltimore once with my husband over a decade ago, but that’s as close as I’ve come.

    • D'Ann Mateer says

      July 3, 2024 at 11:48 am

      You definitely need to get up there one day! It has such a different feel from other East Coast places.

  3. Becky Wade says

    July 3, 2024 at 9:45 am

    I traveled to Boston two years ago and LOVED it!It was fun to read your post because I visited many of the spots you mention.

    • D'Ann Mateer says

      July 3, 2024 at 11:48 am

      So glad you enjoyed it! I think it’s such a fun trip!

  4. Traci Winyard says

    July 3, 2024 at 11:12 am

    What company does your husband do historical tours with? Have you heard of Landmark Events with Bill Potter?

    • D'Ann Mateer says

      July 3, 2024 at 2:09 pm

      I had not heard of them but just now looked it up! Very cool! We do our tours “in-house” led by a historian/former pastor who is on staff. We tailor it so that it helps give participants a more complete picture of how and why First Liberty Institute defends religious freedom in the courts.

  5. Carole Lehr Johnson says

    July 5, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    I loved your post about Boston. I’ve been several times as my son went to college at BU. It’s such a wonderful city!

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