|
|
| |
| Outdoor Adventure Information – Your Guide to Outdoor Fun | |
|
|
|
Plymouth Plantation and Mayflower - Links to Our Past Guide, Part 1
Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Authentic yet entertaining the two are links to our past and the 102 passengers that survived the journey across stormy seas. During the journey the bad storms of the North Atlantic forced the crew to take down the sails and just let the winds blow the ship wherever it wanted. During one brutal storm one of the Mayflower main beams cracked and the sailors where convinced they'd have to turn back. But the journey continued and because of it the world was forever changed. No, this is not going to be a history lesson, but the first of two articles about two unique experiences of US history you can have during your New England vacations. This first article covers the area of Plymouth Plantation, and the second in the series covers Sturbridge Village. The Mayflower voyage of 1620 took 66 days after leaving Plymouth, England on September 6, and anchoring in present day Provincetown harbor in Cape Cod on November 11, 1620. Miraculously only one passenger died on the voyage. The Pilgrims decided Cape Cod was not a suitable place for a settlement, and forced north because of the weather and dangerous shoals south of Cape Cod, the pilgrims finally came ashore in late November in present day Plymouth center. That first winter at Plimoth Plantation decimated the settlers due to cold and disease. Of the 102 that came ashore only 52 were left in the spring. The native Wampanoag men showed the survivors how to plant corn and in October 1621 the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest at Plymouth Plantation. Later generations would recognize the significance of the harvest by setting aside a special day that we now call Thanksgiving. And this day, more than any other in our calendar, binds every American to that fateful voyage in 1620. And you can relive and feel this spirit and the early days of settlement at Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II replica. Both located in the coastal town of Plymouth, a city about 40 miles south of Boston and an easy ride on Route 3 south. Plymouth Plantation is a 1627 Pilgrim authentic village a few miles outside of the city but close to the highway and well sign-posted. An orientation movie and collection of artifacts greet you at the Henry Hornblower Visitor Center. Plimoth plantation itself is a loop tour with two primary sites, the 1627 Pilgrim Village and the Hobbamock's (Wampanoag) Homesite. The stroll from the museum down to the main village passes by a craft center and crop fields. The village itself is full of buildings and gardens. Everything is plain and productive, and authentic. The people of the village dress, talk, and act, as best we know they would've on the original Plymouth Plantation. But that doesn't mean they are aloof or communicate in riddles or a strange tongue. Their aim is to educate and entertain but still remain true to the era. I've always found they are engaging and excellent in this balance. The stroll out of the village along the Eel River walk takes you to the Native people homesite. As I said earlier, the Pilgrims would not have survived the first year had it not been for help from the Native Peoples. They taught them about the region and it's agriculture and the resources of the land, and how to thrive. This special area is a home for an extended family not another village. It honors the importance and affinity the Native People have in this region. Take time to appreciate the skills of weaving and tanning practiced at the site, and the use of fire for burning out boats. Go inside one of the houses and notice the materials and bindings used for construction. The inhabitants here do not role-play so feel free to discuss modern day subjects with them. And now? linger for a while longer at Plymouth Plantation, and rest back at the visitor center, or purchase that craft you saw at the store earlier. And then when you're ready to continue, leave Plimoth Plantation and head for town and the Mayflower II replica. Mayflower II is docked on State Pier on Water Street. Meter parking is available along the waterfront. . You'll think it a small ship. Imagine the vast expanse of the North Atlantic at times wild and unforgiving. A 2,760-mile trip in a ship that leaked and creaked at an agonizing speed of 2 mph! During your Mayflower tour you'll meet passengers on the ship role-playing for you. You'll get to see the passenger's cramped quarters and the captain's spacious cabin. But most of all you'll be cast back in time. And if you close your eyes and listen to the gulls overhead maybe you'll hear the shouts of a sailor as he sights landfall and one journey's end? and the start of another. Enjoy your day at Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II. They are entertaining reminders of our history and a link back to a monumental voyage. For more information, opening times, and ticket prices for Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower visit their web site at www.plimoth.org Cliff Calderwood is the owner and contributing writer of the New England vacations guide . You can read more about Plymouth Plantation, The Mayflower, and get a free travel report at his New England vacation site.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Eight Tips For A Bug-Free Summer (NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most of us spend a great deal of our summers swatting away these pesky insects. Protecting yourself against mosquitoes will not only make your summer more enjoyable, it will help prevent you and your family from getting annoying and sometimes dangerous bug bites. Unforgettable White Mountains Vacations - The Most Scenic 100 Miles in New England This amazing drive through the White Mountains of New Hampshire has a gorgeous vista at every turn, oodles and oodles of family vacation fun, and a visit to the home of the world wind speed record. Just keep reading to discover a remarkable trip on your White Mountains vacation. Inflatable Pontoon Boats Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and in fact designed several models. The one that has been produced the most is a three-tube model of unparalleled maneuverability and load bearing capacity. Kenya Safari Top Five National Parks The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in Africa containing national parks and game reserves that consistently provide great wildlife sightings and experiences coupled with high quality accommodation.But within the country itself there are certain areas that are better than others to safari in. Review: Russell Shortos The Island At The Center Of The World Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians is that Dutch contribution to American history and particularly to that of New York has been one of irrelevancy. As we no doubt realize, the winners write history, and unfortunately, whatever the losers may have contributed, it seems to be lost or forgotten in the shuffle. Discover The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden In Arcadia California In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to Pasadena http://pasadena.usacitydirectories. Going it Alone: The Waterfall at Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska I stood at the observation point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. Shark Attacks! How Common are They? Where do They Occur? Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could have turned into a disaster: He was attacked by a seven-foot bronze whaler shark while surfing about 100 yards out from Sydney's Bronte Beach.Fortunately, the man, Simon Letch, stayed calm and "shoved the board at [the shark] like a barge pole. Canoe Trip with Nature A canoe trip is a great way to appreciate Nature!A well-planned canoe trip is always filled with fun and adventure. If you love cruising the sea or the beautiful lake areas then a canoe trip would be a great choice for you. River Rafting in Colorado The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado. In the late 1960s Bill Dvorak came up with many safety standards for equipment and many guidelines for proper rafting technique. The Benefits of One Day Hiking Trips Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do you want to take hiking trips on trails near your home? One day hiking trips have a number of advantages. They are great for the recreational hiker. Drive Me to WA Today! Western Australia Driving Adventure Great Australian Road Trip Large is not the word for it. Massive doesn't cover it either. Hawaii Volcano Tour A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience, and is readily available (short of eruptions!) year round. While each island boasts some volcanic heritage, The Big Island is where all the action is. Hiking from Your Own Home Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in household chores. Adventure Travel on Horseback When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind? Hiking? White water rafting? Scuba diving? Something as sedentary as a cruise ship or land rover safari? Those ideas lose their "adventure" status when you compare them to galloping on a horse in Africa with a zebra and wildebeest racing along side you, or quietly observing the elephant and giraffe.How can a traveler visit the remote parts of the world's most beautiful and interesting places while. Malaria Prevention - Five Ways to Avoid Catching It on Safari Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa where safari trips are still possible which means you will need to take malaria prevention precautions to protect yourself against catching the disease when you travel there.There are five things you can do to avoid catching malaria on a safari holiday. Visiting the Last Paradise on Earth - Costa Rica I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others would love to visit, to unwind from their busy and hectic schedules. Most recently I visited Costa Rica, a place which can be best described as one of the last paradises on earth. Comal White Water or More Blue Green White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is more of of toobers paradise than a rafter or kayaker's dreamland, but for a fun and relaxing family adventure I highly recommend the trip. For the second time in the last two years my family and I spent a few days partaking of fun, water and sun in and around New Braunfels, Texas on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Improving Your Aim If your aim is not good, or is not quite what you want it to be, there are several ways you can work to improve it. Most people can hit the target almost every time when they are not rushed in any way. Old Barney -- A Visit to Barnegat Light, New Jersey Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a historic lighthouse located at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Long Beach Island, or "LBI" as the vacationing folks like to say, is a narrow island nearly twenty miles long and six miles at sea off the coast of Ocean County, NJ.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
