Shot Heard Round the World

[NOTSMC]

Remember that from history? April 18th Paul Revere and April 19th the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord to start the American Revolutionary War.

It's also the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and the end of the Waco standoff.

On a sadder note, it's the anniversary of my dad's passing. I had already said my goodbye's and took my son on a well-deserved break from the hospital to the movies (Ghost in a Shell - it was awful). For some reason all I could think of was April 19th - shot heard round the world.

 

[glhs837]

Easy top remember if you grew up in Waltham just south of Lexington. Between the ages of 10-12 (1974-1978) we would ride our bicycles from Waltham up into Lexington to the Battle Green, read all the plaques, and spend a lot of time studying the awesome diorama in the Tavern on the Green. Then we would head up the road to the bridge at Concord. Hand out there for an hour so so, then ride home. We'd be gone from 8am til 2-3pm. Had a few buck for snacks and drinks. Parents, I think we just told them generically where were going, but nothing like exact routes.....

 

[NOTSMC]

Easy top remember if you grew up in Waltham just south of Lexington. Between the ages of 10-12 (1974-1978) we would ride our bicycles from Waltham up into Lexington to the Battle Green, read all the plaques, and spend a lot of time studying the awesome diorama in the Tavern on the Green. Then we would head up the road to the bridge at Concord. Hand out there for an hour so so, then ride home. We'd be gone from 8am til 2-3pm. Had a few buck for snacks and drinks. Parents, I think we just told them generically where were going, but nothing like exact routes.....

You're so lucky - that sounds like such an idyllic thing to do back in the day. We lived in Yorktown VA at one time and were able to do something similar on the Yorktown battlefield and Williamsburg. I only vaguely remember going to the North Church and the areas surrounding growing up - dad was at Groton and it was a camping trip if I recall correctly. I asked my kids if they knew what this day in history was and neither had a clue.

I'm stupid too though. I actually asked Alexa what state Lexington and Concord were in in 1775. I'm surprised she didn't say duhhhhh.

 

[glhs837]

You're so lucky - that sounds like such an idyllic thing to do back in the day. We lived in Yorktown VA at one time and were able to do something similar on the Yorktown battlefield and Williamsburg. I only vaguely remember going to the North Church and the areas surrounding growing up - dad was at Groton and it was a camping trip if I recall correctly. I asked my kids if they knew what this day in history was and neither had a clue.

I'm stupid too though. I actually asked Alexa what state Lexington and Concord were in in 1775. I'm surprised she didn't say duhhhhh.

It certainly was. Summers we lived in a family campground just south of Nashua. There was a lake with two beaches, one for us regular campers, one for the day visitors. The same group of kids every summer from age 5 til I left for the Navy at 18. Lots of forests. We'd leave the campsite after breakfast in cutoff shorts and the day would be spent swimming, riding bikes, playing. Lunch we'd go to one kids site or another, the Mom would make us PB&Js and soda or bug juice. Might check in with the parents might not, they might not see us til dinner time. All the parents kept an eye on the wandering crews of kids. Taking trails through the woods to giant rocks.