DUCK TOUR

Hmmm, can't remember what DUKW stands for (something like Defense Utility Kcar ?) Anyway, these are the actual amphibious transport vehicles used in WWII that now take tourists on land and water all through Boston. It was FUN! Our guide was fabulous - and we had two assistant drivers (Cooper and Maia) who kept us on track. Once again, the big boy is missing from the pictures because this outing was "cool" enough. We'll get him to come with us one of these days.

Dancing in the subway while waiting for the train. The underground entertainer was actually pretty good - and not a bit drunk.

On the subway. She was mad her dad took the picture.

Waiting for the DUCK

McKenna and her friend Allison (whose dad is a fellow with Richard) waiting outside our DUCK for the tour to begin.

Waiting to start. They came prepared with blankets - the weather was gorgeous but a bit chilly on the water. The conDUCKtor said the kids in the back had the "cheap" seats and that they'd find out soon enough why.

Beginning the ride. Ivy (the little bit of head next to me) leaned out the window most of the time and was MAD that her mom was holding on to her! Cooper sat behind me, so of course my blood pressure went up when we got on the water. But he sat down the whole time and his biggest sister was nearby.

A view of the inside. The roof, windows, and seats were added since WWII. Thank goodness. The flip open windshield still operates, and the base for the 50 caliber gun was still there. The conDUCKtor said he's lobbying to get it reinstalled to help with traffic issues.

Another picture of the cutie. A lesson in lip reading: "NO!" Again, she was MAD I took her picture. Ornery little thing.

Some sights we saw. I can't remember what everything was - but beautiful architecture and lots of interesting history. The conDUCKtor was fabulous - a former Navy officer and history buff. And a comedian! It was very entertaining.

Many beautiful churches. We learned details from how many pilings below (most of downtown Boston is the "back bay" - literally built on the filled-in bay) to who did the stained glass etc. The windows in this church were done by the master (of whom I can't remember the name) who trained Tiffany!

The pond (a lake to us) in Boston Commons. Look carefully through the taken-from-a-moving-vehicle fuzz and you'll see the famous swan boats. That's on our list to do soon before the weather turns too cold.

Not our DUCK, but one that was passing below as we were waiting for the drawbridge to lower. There are about 24 in the fleet - in all different colors.

Entering the Charles River. The conDUCKtor turned on James Bond music for us as he shifted to neutral and put down the propeller.

The water of the Charles is not polluted, but is green from tanic (?- or something like that) acid that is given off by plants upriver. It's the same acid that turns tea brown, however this acid is not left over from the Boston Tea Party.

On the water.

A darn cute driver on the water.

She can barely see over the wheel (but you can see her in the rear view mirror).

Another awesome driver. He actually got a couple of turns because he volunteered every time the driver asked. Ivy refused when asked, but as we pulled out of the water wanted a turn. For some reason they don't let the children drive on land!

Another view from the DUCK. -- There's a sailing school for children that has three requirements. #1) You must be between the ages of 10 and 18. #2) You must demonstrate that you can swim. #3) You must pay $1. (Yep! ONE DOLLAR). It's privately funded and teaches unlimited sailing classes throughout the summer. It's aimed at keeping children off the streets (putting them in the water instead). We're hoping to get Austin, McKenna, and Tessa down there a couple of times. What an experience!

Such a beautiful city.

The reason for the former orneriness!

The USS Constitution. Another tour on our list.

After we debarked.

I handed the kids a snack before we headed back toward the subway. Ivy decided to make her cheese and cracker sandwich on the FILTHY CONCRETE before I caught her!

The trip home. Ivy's standard mode of transportation.