A Northeaster: Part 3

We spent our last day in New England at Plimoth Plantation, another site I'd visited as a child and wanted to share with my own children. It was so strange to think that it had been almost three decades since my last visit! 

Our tour began aboard the Mayflower, which was meticulously recreated in England in the 1960's. While it does differ from the original in some ways (partly due to lack of precise records, and partly to make it easier to tour), it gives you a sense of what the journey must have been like. As beautiful as she is, I can't imagine spending many weeks aboard for a trans-Atlantic voyage.

William Bradford

I managed to decipher this for my children, only
to turn around and find it neatly printed
on a sign behind me!

This is a clever way of recording how far and in which
direction the ship has traveled

Beautiful Plymouth harbor -- I love coastal New England

After our "sea voyage," we stopped at the nearby Grist Mill, a working replica of a mill built early in Plymouth's history. We learned a great deal about the importance of the mill and the milling process, thanks to the knowledgeable guides. 

After a glorious walk through the woods, we came upon the Native settlement. 

This stew smelled so very good! Deliciously fragrant.

One of the guides explained the process used to burn
out these log boats

At last, we headed down to the settlement. Even though all of the buildings are reproductions, they feel authentic thanks to the great care used to recreate them. Again, the interpreters were so helpful and friendly, ready to answer questions and even involve the children in tasks of the time. It was amazing to consider just how vulnerable these early settlers were, especially considering that very few of them had skills useful for surviving in the wilderness. 

 

I wish I could share the sensations of this photo -- a tranquil 
summer's afternoon in New England, with the sea in sight
and the sweet aromas of grass and flower wafted on the wind.

Our whirlwind visit only whetted my appetite, but what a gift to be able to "time-travel" to such a significant time/location in America's history. All too soon we were saying our farewells and packing up to return home -- ready to turn our attention to our next adventure, as we prepared for our first overseas move.