Day 7, July 4, Charles River Boston

Barely enough wind to sail off the anchor out of the bay on Peddock Island, and once we we're into the channel the tide caught us and negated any further attempt for wind power. So we motored to Spectacle Island, which is now a high hill (spoils from the Big Dig) and city park. They have water here and free dockage, so we tie up, fill our bladder tank, and take down the mast.

Newly configured as a motorboat, we continue up the harbor, through the lock and into the Charles River. But along the way, Old Ironsides/USS Constitution is being towed out for her annual turn-around cruise. We meet her (and throngs of other boats of every description) just as the tugs are turning her, adjacent to the fort. She fired several of her cannon, and the fort fired back. We could smell the cordite.

Up the Charles with many other boats, we continued past the Basin and up to Watertown, where Kristen borrows a car for a little shopping, before we return downriver for the Fourth of July festivities.

There must be a thousand kayaks/canoes/inflatables here. We anchor just upstream of the Mass Ave bridge. On the other side of the bridge, 'the Basin', it.s packed with power boats that got there early for prime spots. We're happier here with more space between boats.

The Boston Pops is simulcast on the radio, and they've packed in as many commercials as they can. There's a barge in the river where the fireworks will launch from; plus from the bridge, closed of course. The sun sets, the music plays, and we all ooh and aah at the pyrotechnic display. They really do a good job here, with well-coordinated displays of sight and sound.