National Recreation Areas - Massachusetts

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

9/3/1999 Caught the 2:00 ferry out to George's Island in the Boston Harbor Islands (NPS). Passed Logan on the way out. Beautiful warm, sunny day made for a very enjoyable ride. On the island, took a stroll around, relaxed near the old civil war fort (Warren) watching the boats. Ferry back ...

A sign at the ticket booth

Me as we approach the island

George's Island

Maureen heading for the fort

8/10/2019 Hung out just a little, then walked over to the Greenway and checked in for our tour at the Boston Harbor Islands NRA NPS booth. At 12:45, walked with the group back to the docks near the Aquarium and boarded the boat, going up on top. Due to the gazillion boats of all sizes and stiff breezes the cruise out was a little rough but no problem. On this tour we saw Long Island Light (barely visible in the trees) and Fort Warren, where I was years ago. We then arrived at the reason we came - Boston Light. The current lighthouse dating from 1783 is the second oldest working lighthouse in the U.S. and is the only lighthouse to still be actively staffed by the United States Coast Guard. We hung out here listening to the Coast Guard and NPS info while checking out the very attractive lighthouse and island. We continued to the furthest lighthouse, Graves Light. Circling around this we headed back. Near the harbor area we paused to look at two similar lightships, both named Nantucket. One of them, LV-112, is an NHL, and we got a little history from the park ranger on it. Launched in 1936, she was the last serving lightship and served as the lightship for such notable vessels as SS United States, RMS Queen Mary, and SS Normandie.

Me at the NPS booth

Our ride ...

... with me and Mom

Beautiful day for sailing

Long Island Light hiding

Fort Warren

Me approaching ...

... Boston Light

Great day for sailing

Graves Light

Lightship Nantucket NHL

Returning to Boston