History Nerds and Taphophiles will LOVE This One

If you’ve been following us from winter to spring, you may have noticed a pattern:

So, can you guess where we ended up in April?? That’s right, our legendary kidney donor athlete had to go back to Boston to run the marathon. Have you ever wondered what the spouses of runners do after they kiss their person good bye? Why…we worry for their safety; pray for their success; and suffer anxiety while watching their progress on the course, of course! But this time, I added my own walking tour of the American revolution and some super interesting gravestones. History nerds and Taphophiles will LOVE this one!

The Cambridge House Share Experience

Though we go to Boston every year, we have yet to land on THE place to stay when we’re in town for the marathon. Why, you may ask? Well, mostly because the places we find that feel like a hidden gem, quickly catch on that they can charge WAY more for accommodations the weekend of the marathon and this steep increase in room rates causes us to re-evaluate the value of the stay. This year, we booked a hotel in Cambridge because it was a little less expensive than staying in town and just as convenient for our athlete because of the proximity to the train station.

And then…some Facebook magic happened! In one of the Boston runner groups, Stephen saw a post for someone who had rooms at their whole house VRBO they were willing to rent for way less than what we were paying. The upside – WAY less money. The downside – staying with people we never met before. After just a little debate, we decided to give it a go. After all, we LOVE an adventure and even a bad experience can make for a really good story.

Row houses in Cambridge painted gray, yellow and blue. — The Sargent Street House

Bottle of red wine on a kitchen table, sitting next to a glass. — The Sargent Street House

We shared half a home on Sargent Street. This tre-expensive bottle of wine was waiting for us in our room as a welcome gift from the hosts of the house share. And above there is a pic of Stephen and Patrick, talking running, on our way to the train station. This doesn’t take into account the hours of running they discussed at our house before we decided to head out to train. All in all, it was WONDERFUL and so where they. We so hope we get invited back. (Hint, hint…Patrick!)

Pre-Marathon Tour of Boston

First stop, Expo, of course. Stephen signed up for the Unicorn club this year so he had a separate pick up location for his bib, a ride to the race and some more fun things that we will share about later.

Stephen holding the Abbot World Marahon Majors medal, while pointing to his name on the finishers wall. — World Major Finisher, Stephen Liegghio!

Brunch consisting of eggs Benedict and pecan monkey bread — World Major Finisher, Stephen Liegghio!

The Big Day

After a low key evening with a pasta and chicken dinner, the big day finally arrived. All the planning, all the running and all the deprivation came down to this.

Man looking determined, leaning against a wall in running shoes, running cloths, and a bathrobe — Staying warm is a MUST

Two men smiling at the camera before leaving for the Boston Marahon — Staying warm is a MUST

Let the Walking Tour Begin!

After working on some art, I asked Google, what is there to see in Cambridge (besides Harvard). Folks from Cambridge, please forgive me! I had no idea HOW signficant your city was in the American revolution! I put on my running shoes and made my way over to Cambridge Common.

Granite monument to the men of Cambridge who lost their life in the Revolutionary War — Monument to the men of Cambridge who died in the Revolutionary War

British cannon abandoned at Castle William in 1774 — Monument to the men of Cambridge who died in the Revolutionary War

Christ Church

I also Googled “Old Cemetery” near me and ended up at Christ Church, the oldest church building in Cambridge, built in 1700 and occupied by the Continental Troops in 1775. George and Martha Washington worshipped here on December 31st of that year, as the troops under his command laid siege to Boston. Also, a few more fun facts – Teddy Roosevelt taught Sunday school here in late 1870’s while he was a student at Harvard and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr spoke here in 1967, encouraging those fighting for civil rights to join the movement for peace in Vietnam.

Cemetery with raised headstones next to Christ Church — Christ Church

Harvard and the Spanish American War Monument

Since I was on a bit of a deadline (to the finish line), I had to run back to the house to head to the race. On my way, I found a quiet moment at Harvard, a monument to the Spanish War Veterans, and for whatever reason, a turkey, just walking along the sidewalk. This does not happen in Michigan – ANY of it.

Red chair, on a green lawn, looking at the buildings at Harvard — Harvard green

Monument of a soldier holding a rifle — Harvard green

The Search for Ben Franklin

After grabbing a quick shower, I set out to Boston to meet my runner AND to find the statue of Ben Franklin I’ve heard so much about. I was told it was by City Hall. What I didn’t know is that Boston has a current city hall and an OLD city hall. Ben was by the Old Hall, which I never happened upon before. Not only did I find Ben, I found President Kennedy, and a representation of the US Political system – a donkey and a pair of shoes, stamped with elephants, to stand in opposition.

Statue of President John F Kennedy — President John F Kennedy

Statue of Benjamin Franklin — President John F Kennedy

Boston Common and the CEMETERY There

I had to walk through Boston Common to make my way over to the viewing area by the library. Since I still had about an hour, I decided to visit “Make Way for the Ducklings”. This time, they were dressed for a baseball game. I also then discovered that there is a CEMETERY in Boston Common. Those from Boston, I’m sure, know this. But I never noticed it in the 10+ times I’ve been there. And I checked, these weren’t just installed!

Bronze sculptures of ducks in decking in size, in Boston Common — Ducklings at the Commons

Bronze ducking statue, dressed as a baseball player — Ducklings at the Commons

Granary Burial Ground

And I couldn’t help but notice how close I was to the Granary Burial Ground. Seemed a shame not to go see the Franklins (Ben’s parents) and Paul Revere. There were also some very fun takes on the memento mori on the head stones there.

Mostly buried headstone, showing just the skull with wings — Just the skull and wings remain

Plaque on the gate of the Granary burial ground, stating that within these grounds ar the victims of the Boston Massacre, Josiah Franklin and his wife, Peter Faneuil, Paul Revere and John Phillips first mayor of Boston — Just the skull and wings remain

The Unexpected POE Sighting

It was about time to end the tour to focus again on the race and runners when I found this plaque. I had NO IDEA that Edgar Allen Poe was born here in Boston. I had visited his statue before but thought it was part of the Literary District not something about his actual life. This means, I’ve seen where he was born, where he lived and wrote, where he was found ill on the streets, where he died and where he was buried. (I think this may have to become one of my haunted travel articles in October!)

Plaque stating that Edgar Allen Poe was born here in 1809 — Poe was here!

Bronze statue of Edgar Allen Poe walking down the street, holding a briefcase with a raven flying out of it — Poe was here!

The Unicorn Club

The history walk over, it was time to focus on the real reason I was out that day – to meet Stephen at the finish line and to cheer him in. I made my way to the Westin Copley to watch the lead men and women cross the finish line, grab a little lunch and head to the bleachers to watch the runners. Now, I’m not saying we had good seats, but Meb Keflezighi came over to say “hello” after he was done. I was so happy to see Stephen at the finish that day. The BEST thing I saw in all the hours I was walking around Boston.

Sign that reads “unicorn club” with an arrow pointing to the right — Unicorns, this way

Meb Keflezighi waving at the spectators at the Boston Marathon — Unicorns, this way

The Post Race Relief

After the race, we got to meet up with our dear friend, Ron Rasing, for a hug and medal pic. We went back to our shared home in Cambridge to toast with Patrick and his cheer team. And the next day, we visited the Black Rose for a pint.

Two men in running gear holding their Boston Marathon Medals — Ron and Stephen, all hail the finishers!

People toasting with wine — Ron and Stephen, all hail the finishers!

I’m sure you want to hear more about the actual race, so join us again next time for Stephen’s race report. If you haven’t already, join our tribe for free! You’ll get our latest articles and some content curated just for travel lovers, like us! And you can always follow us in real time on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle.