Goodbye, Ted: Kennedy's Boston Journey

Massachusetts began to say goodbye to Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Thursday afternoon. Kennedy left his home in Hyannis Port on Thursday, carried in a flag-draped casket to lead a motorcade that traveled from Cape Cod to Boston, wound through the city and finally reached the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Dorchester shortly before 5 pm.

This farewell tour, the kickoff to three days of solemnity and celebration, gave thousands the opportunity to say goodbye to the Senator with tears, cheers and ample applause.

Crowds at City Hall broke into applause as the motorcade traveled past the first time, with passersby waving to Kennedy family members, many of whom waved back with smiles. When the motorcade took a second pass several moments later, Kennedy's hearse was welcomed with a roar of cheers.

Later in the evening, more than 12,000 people were working their way through a line that wound through the parking lot of the JFK Library before turning onto a waterfront path that looped back toward the library. Visiting hours were initially expected to end at 11 pm, but the massive turnout prompted the Kennedy family to change those plans: the library will remain open as long as people were waiting to pay their respects and say goodbye. Those looking to visit Kennedy's casket on Friday, however, should be advised that they must be in line by 1 pm.

Bostonist spent about two and a half hours waiting in line Thursday evening and found the proceedings to reflect a class and composure that was trademark Kennedy. Bottles of water were distributed to those waiting in line in the parking lot, staff and volunteers were friendly and respectful.

In a touching gesture, many members of the mourning family worked their way through the lines of well-wishers waiting to view the casket within the library, including Kerry Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Kennedy's widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy. Each offered her hand, smile and message of appreciation, making a point to thank each and every person she saw.