Day 6 - Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II
Yes, it is spelled Plimoth, not Plymouth. Jeff picked the pictures tonight that's why it's a little Pilgrims gone wild version. I seriously can't believe I am posting some of these....
Today we went to the Plimoth Plantation, a 17th century living history museum that shows the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established by the English colonists in 1620. It was original called Patuxet by the Wampanoug Indians who had first settled the area but when the Pilgrims arrived in 1620 it had been decimated by disease and abandoned by the Wampanoug. They had died so suddenly that they hadn't been able to bury their dead and the area was covered in skeletons. They also have a recreated Wampanoug village at Plimoth Plantation. It was fascinating to learn how the Indians and the colonists lived in the 17th century. One thing that really struck me was how hard they had to work every day. Just how daily life and surviving would consume your entire day. It makes me feel lazy and lucky.
We learned that the colonists on the Mayflower had first landed in Provincetown (where we went yesterday). The captain, Christopher John, knew that the area had shifting sandbars and had already claimed several ships so he used rocks tied to a rope to check the depth. They landed in Provincetown and had searched the area for fresh water for weeks but did not find any. But they did find Indians so they got back on the boat and went to the next shore so they headed to Plymouth harbor. But they likely did not "land" on land. The harbor was too shallow. They probably ferried in on their little shallob (dinghy) or waited until low tide and walked in. So Plymouth rock isn't really where they "landed." I guess it's more of a legend. Of course I haven't read or researched this and it all depends on who's telling the story. Every "ranger" type person has told us a slightly different story.
The Mayflower II is a recreation of the original Mayflower ship, or how they think it was. It was pretty fascinating. So small! I can't believe they fit 102 people and 30 crew in that tiny boat. For 2 months!
Today we went to the Plimoth Plantation, a 17th century living history museum that shows the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established by the English colonists in 1620. It was original called Patuxet by the Wampanoug Indians who had first settled the area but when the Pilgrims arrived in 1620 it had been decimated by disease and abandoned by the Wampanoug. They had died so suddenly that they hadn't been able to bury their dead and the area was covered in skeletons. They also have a recreated Wampanoug village at Plimoth Plantation. It was fascinating to learn how the Indians and the colonists lived in the 17th century. One thing that really struck me was how hard they had to work every day. Just how daily life and surviving would consume your entire day. It makes me feel lazy and lucky.
We learned that the colonists on the Mayflower had first landed in Provincetown (where we went yesterday). The captain, Christopher John, knew that the area had shifting sandbars and had already claimed several ships so he used rocks tied to a rope to check the depth. They landed in Provincetown and had searched the area for fresh water for weeks but did not find any. But they did find Indians so they got back on the boat and went to the next shore so they headed to Plymouth harbor. But they likely did not "land" on land. The harbor was too shallow. They probably ferried in on their little shallob (dinghy) or waited until low tide and walked in. So Plymouth rock isn't really where they "landed." I guess it's more of a legend. Of course I haven't read or researched this and it all depends on who's telling the story. Every "ranger" type person has told us a slightly different story.
The Mayflower II is a recreation of the original Mayflower ship, or how they think it was. It was pretty fascinating. So small! I can't believe they fit 102 people and 30 crew in that tiny boat. For 2 months!
Livin' the dream.
This pilgrim life is so easy.
What is wrong with me?
I got a little carried away today...
Now I know how the kids feel when I am constantly taking pictures of them.
Plymouth Rock. A little underwhelmed.
I have enjoyed your posts this past week because we are headed there soon. All of these places were on our list so now I have a firsthand account of whether it is worth our time! Thanks for sharing!
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