| Author | Message | ||
     Scott_in_nh |
So last Saturday, December 8th, 4 families worth of Badwebers visited the U.S.S. Constitution in Boston Harbor. It all started when a new member; Smack_doogle (Jack) posted over in Storm Fronts in both the NEBO (New England Buell Owners) and New Hampshire Thunder that he had moved to the area, was interested in getting a Buell, but wanted to learn about them 1st and he also said “I work on the U.S.S. Constitution" and “feel free to stop by for a tour”….. Well, I love visiting and learning about history and so do my kids and we're not alone as Firebolteric_ma (Eric) was equally excited about getting a tour with his family, Ducx1 (Greg) and his wife wanted in and Damnut (Jim) wanted to bring his 2 nephews too! So now we had the makings of a Buell Family Day aboard the U.S.S. Constitution! I wasn’t sure if Jack new what he got himself into, but he took it all in stride, in fact he was as excited about it as the rest of us! On the initial date Jack was having car trouble and had to cancel. He felt real bad about it but promised to make it up with “a little something extra for you guys". As the day got closer and we needed to pick a time, Jack let us know that “evening colors goes down at around 410 pm and we do fire one of our guns, I can get you front row seats for that if ya want". This was getting better and better - who doesn’t want a front row seat for the firing of a cannon that isn’t pointed at you? So meeting at 3:00 in the afternoon gave us time to tour the ship and finish it off with a big bang- sweet! Jack was not done with his surprises, when we started asking questions online about the ship he casually let us know that he is the Master Helmsman! Sorry that I keep ending sentences with exclamations, it is because it was one surprise after another and/or it just plain deserves it! We met at the selected times and got the complete VIP treatment, no metal detectors, but that was only the beginning. Jack gave us a tour that besides his great knowledge of the ship and ability to tell a story, included going behind ropes, touching things that said “do not touch" and going so far below deck that we got to see and touch the keel (the only original timbers)! Jack telling the story of "Old Ironsides" video (long): http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/scottskis/? action=view¤t=100_2802.flv   We were all in awe; my kids like this stuff but were fairly nonchalant about the whole thing beforehand. Now they were wide eyed, attentive and mentioned several times during the tour how awesome it was (and they are both teens)!  Now it was time to disembark the ship for the evening colors and cannon shot –watch the video is all I can say. It set off cars alarms for at least a block around us! Evening colors cannon fire video: http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a117/scottskis/? action=view¤t=000_0089.flv Last but not least, Jack gave us our “little something extra" – it is a souvenir cannon shell. Jack said that it wasn’t fired, but inspection of mine shows sign of high heat in the appropriate places so I do believe that these had been used on the Constitution and then recycled into souvenirs!  We all have adopted Jack as one of us and since he doesn’t have a bike at this time and a family at home, Jim offered to let him ride one of his. So when spring has sprung we will be taking Jack for a tour of our own – thanks again Jack and thanks for serving! Greg's pictures/video; http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/neveuxtwo http://uncutvideo.aol.com/videos/54ecd31c1f8b6e543 07925026e6cdb01?index=0 | ||
| Swampy |
I was just in Boston visiting my little sister, I hope to go back in the spring. I did take a DUK ride in the harbor while out there and saw the Ironsides from a distance. Boston is an incredible town and should be visited often. | ||
| Court |
That is really cool ! | ||
| Unibear12r |
Awesome!!! Someday I have to see her! | ||
| Ulywife |
Cool story! Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Blake |
Most excellent! I wanna go next time. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
+1 to all the positive feedback above - thx for posting, Scott. love the cannon shot video.  FB | ||
| Duck |
Jerry, Please contact me at your earliest opportunity. You could try PMing me through BWB or you could call me at work tomorrow. I work at Southside Harley and Buell in Virginia Beach. Just ask for Duck and if you can't remember my name...lol...just ask for the "Buell Guy" ....that has become my name at the shop! I love it....hope to hear from you soon. Work number is 757-499-8964 Sorry for hijacking the thread :>{ | ||
| Brinnutz |
She's a pretty neat site to see.. Man, I've got to do some cool things...Maybe I should go back in the military...seems where I got to do all the cool stuff!! |
