I wasn’t sure what all one does when visiting New England besides go to the coast and eat seafood, but there was one place I definitely needed to visit. And that was where this fabulous country all started when the settlers landed in Plymouth. I can imagine the natives weren’t really all that thrilled to see a ship like the Mayflower on the horizon, but we’re thankful they did because what a great place America is! Plymouth isn’t at all what I anticipated. It’s a pretty small place with the majority of excitement happening on the main road that runs along the shoreline. You have to park about three blocks or so away from the main street to find parking that isn’t metered. It’s a downhill walk most of the way to the shore so it’s not that bad until you come back up. The roads are filled with potholes (thanks to harsh winters) and the small roads always have traffic. But there’s lots to offer down by the water.
First thing I saw was the Mayflower 2, a replica of the original Mayflower. I took one look at it and immediately understood why people got so sick. I’d rather be on a cruise liner to cross the ocean any day. That thing is small. You have to have a serious love for adventure to get on that thing.
The change in tide is so drastic there that the boats stay out further in the bay area.
Plymouth Rock (and my shadow). The stone which marks the place of disembarkment by William Bradford and the Pilgrims. It’s been moved a couple of times over the years which is why it’s cracked but whether it’s real or not–it’s a symbol of where the country came from and that’s cool.
As with all good memorials here in the US, we put a roof over Plymouth Rock and columns around it. Hard to miss.
The view of Plymouth from the rock walkway. See that black dot in the air? That’s my husband flying the plane. (No, I’m not kidding.)
This neat walkway is composed of flat rocks that you can walk on all the way out. It seems like it would be a quick easy walk but there are large cracks and uneven stones which make it necessary to go slowly and choose your next step carefully. The stones extend past what you see on the right side of the picture.
National Monument to the Forefathers “erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labor, sacrifices, and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.”
The first church established by the Pilgrims. Still going today.
The sign on the church telling of its history.
You know you’ve always wanted to see where William Brewster was buried, right? Well, here it is. Thankful these sites have been preserved for us although I can’t imagine that was his original grave marker.
Burial Hill where a good many Pilgrims were buried
Now on to Cape Cod. It rained the day we went to see Cape Cod, so we didn’t venture out to see Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket Island. We’ll see those another time when the weather is nicer. Here are the few pictures we took before driving up to Boston.
The houses connected are private property where the lighthouse keeper used to live.
The view from the bottom of the lighthouse
Another view from the bottom of the lighthouse
The best places are the ones you have to walk on dirt and through bushes to get to.
Our reward was a walkway along the coastline… with sharp rocks at the bottom. Bring it on.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out our tourist time in Boston.
Plymouth Plantation is probably more interesting (set in 1627, the 7th year of the colony) though I am told the emphasis has changed and is warped now — little emphasis on religion.