Yesterday the kids woke up in a little better mood than that in which they went to bed the night before. After getting ready for the day, we loaded up the van and headed to the Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park. We walked around the lighthouse and took the self-guided tour. Maggie made Jll ask the woman who sold us our tickets whether we could go up to the top of the lighthouse. The woman confirmed Jll's suspicion that we could not. Maggie was disappointed. 
We walked across the park to Fort Williams, an old military installation, where the kids became intrigued by a small concrete tunnel through one of the bunkers. The tunnel made two turns, and the back side of it was pitch black. After walking through once with adults, the kids started making loops around the tunnel, having quite a time. There was a nice picnic area near Fort Williams, and we were joined for lunch by Uncle Rick and Kyle, Victoria and Sascha, Elizabeth, Isabel, and Sophie, Tricia, Rosemary, and Molly. It started to rain on us pretty heavily, right after being joined by Les and Patty, so everyone had to run back to their cars. Not knowing where else to go, we decided to make our way to Beal's Ice Cream in Old Port. The kids did not object.
After a trip to the grocery store, we headed to Victoria's for dinner. After the big family gatherings we've enjoyed, it seemed like a small group for dinner, including Uncle Rick and Kyle, Daniel, Tricia, Rosemary, and Molly, Victoria and Sascha. Not wanting to crush the kids again, we said our goodbyes and made our way to the RV to get the kids to bed.
This morning we woke to rain, again. Allen and I spent some time packing everything up, including the tent Heather and Lauren left behind. Uncle Rick and Kyle stopped by to see us off and we had a nice chat until the kids started fighting and causing chaos. We said goodbye to Uncle Rick and Kyle and were on the road again.
We made the drive to Massachusetts and set up camp in Littleton, MA. Once we got everything set up and the tent dried out, we went to the Minute Man National Historical Park. We watched the multi-media presentation at the visitors' center to give the kids a primer on the battles at Lexington and Concord, then we went to see the Lexington Common and the North Bridge in Concord. I can't remember the last time I visited these sites, but I truly find it inspiring to be here. Concord Hymn
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare,
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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