We started the day at the Hammond Castle in Gloucester. John Hays Hammond, Jr. built his medieval-style castle between the years 1926 and 1929 to serve both as his home and as a backdrop for his collection of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts. In addition, the building housed the Hammond Research Corporation, from which Dr. Hammond produced over 400 patents and the ideas for over 800 inventions. Second only to Thomas Alva Edison in number of patents, John Hammond was one of America's premier inventors. His most important work was the development of remote control via radio waves, which earned him the title, "The Father of Remote Control."
As we began our tour through the castle, we climbed about 85 steps up into a turret, stopping to see the sights along the way. As we wound our way up we would find more sections of the castle off to the side that we would have to detour to explore. The castle was massive and filled with some very interesting antiques. It was a self guided tour that took us about 2 hours to complete. The boys had a terrific time letting their imaginations run wild as they searched out all the secret hatches that might cause you to disappear into the dungeon or another room. There was a BEAUTIFUL atrium that housed a pool and many different plants and fountains. The rooms that surrounded this had windows on three different floors that allowed us to hear the running water. The landscape was so full of color and variety. (And although I saw a chipmunk, Mom, they still managed to keep their plants. I should have found the groundskeeper and asked his secret!) An 8600 pipe organ was what had initially attracted us to this sight, but there was much more to be offered besides. We were sad to learn that we would not be able to hear this astounding organ, but they are cautious about playing it because of the instability of the roof which will begin restoration this week. I was glad, however, to find a sampling on YouTube.
From Gloucester it was just down the road to Salem - a 45 minute drive. We have been there now, seen it, and didn't like it; so we moved on.
The rest of our day has been spent in Boston. We decided it would be wise to try to go ahead and get a room early. Nathan got us a room at Boston Hotel Buckminster which was built in 1897 - one of the first in the Boston area. It sits on a triangular intersection. At the time it was built it was the largest building in the Kenmore Square area. We grabbed a quick bite and headed for the Charles River. After camping out for a bit on a ramp by the Harvard Bridge, a whole group of us was cleared off and told we would not be able to stay there, but fortunately we were able to find a little grassy spot between that bridge and the Longfellow bridge. We were able to hear Boston Pops/Toby Keith off and on initially. We were also being serenaded by a little blues music offered up by some college kids near us. (Found it ironic that we have traveled 2000 miles from the home of the blues, yet that is what we were hearing in Boston!) Just before the fireworks kicked off, the Boston Pops kicked it up a notch and we were able to hear the patriotic favorites quite well. Our rumps were a bit numb from sitting on the banks for 4 hours, but we sure did enjoy the view once it all got underway. What a privilege to get to be here to celebrate. The lights were spectacular and the sound shook us to the core. We even felt it move our hair a few times. Happy Birthday, America!! What a celebration!!
We finally made it back safely to our room, but the masses of people were unlike anything we have ever been in! We were literally elbow to elbow for blocks. I read somewhere that they were expecting 800,000 people to be here tonight. Things finally started to thin; then we had to watch for those that had made it back to their cars and were now making their ways into the crowds. With all three boys hand in hand, we flowed through the current and finally found a small stream that poured to our hotel. Ahhh, to be in the room and be able to breathe and stretch. Night all!
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