We drove all of 84 miles to Plymouth, MA and stayed in the parking lot of the local Elks. There aren’t any hook-ups and the donation we gave for two nights was put in the purple pig. The lodge is close to a big shopping center. We were going to stay another day, but the parking lot was going to be resurfaced the next day and Dixie didn’t want to have to get up and leave early!
Our first afternoon we drove to Old Town Plymouth right on the harbor. We visited Plymouth Rock and walked around the area a little. We also found out about doing the tour of Plimouth Plantation and the Mayflower II.
This is the sign about the rock. If you look behind the rock you will see the pavilion that the rock has been placed in. The rock has been moved three times and was broken once. It has quite a story besides being the rock where the first pilgrims stepped on land.
Me, Dixie, with Plymouth Harbor in the far background and the rock below the fence.
Plymouth Harbor on a beautiful afternoon.
What a nice Bed and Breakfast, right across the street from the harbor and the pavilion where Plymouth Rock sits.
I love the cross walks here in Plymouth. You really can’t miss seeing them—unless you are red/green color blind!
Here we are at the Plimouth Plantation (spelling is correct). First we are introduced to the Wampanoag Homesite. These are the natives that the Pilgrims first encountered.
A winter home for the Wampanoag.
A summer home for them
A descendent of the Wampanoag doing bead work inside the winter home.
This is how they taught the Pilgrims to grow their corn.
A short walk along the Eel River to the Pilgrims settlement.
The settlement as viewed from the fort.
Home was usually one room. The bed separated by the curtains you see above. The floors were hard packed dirt and the older children slept on the floor on straw filled mats. The baby had a cradle.
The fireplace was at one end of the room, and that is where the meal were cooked. It was also the only source of heat.
The table was up against the wall and was used for sewing, and cooking and eating. It was moved out when the main meal was served and pushed back when it was time to sleep. Much of the furniture was brought over on the ships, or traded for when the merchant ships landed in the harbor. Other furniture was hand made.
The Pilgrims doing their daily work. All the “actors” spoke in old English and knew nothing about any thing after the 17th century.
Building a warehouse to store grain, food and straw harvested throughout the summer.
An outdoor oven.
This is the inside of the fort, also used for meetings and church services.
A peaceful setting now, but it must have been frightful to be so far away from everything that was familiar. The Wampanoag people were helpful and they did celebrate the harvest feast, which we now call Thanksgiving, together.
We left the 17th century settlement and drove our 20th century car about 7 miles back to Plymouth Harbor where we boarded the 1950’s Mayflower II which was built just like the original Mayflower. There we encountered 17th century sailors!
A couple of Old Salts and a modern tourist!
Cooking facilities aboard the Mayflower II.
Sleeping facilities for the passengers.
Sleeping facilities for the crew.
Protection from Pirates?
The boat that brought the Pilgrims from the ship to land.
The Mayflower II tied up to the dock.
Good by Plymouth, we are headed about 35 miles away to the Weymouth Elks.
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