Vacation: The sights of Plymouth

A few of the days we were in Plymouth we spent our time exploring the historical sights there.  I am a descendant of William Bradford, one of the Mayflower passengers and governor of Plymouth.  In addition several of my ancestors came a short time after the Mayflower and helped to settle New England.  I have always been interested in this heritage and feel a connection to this place even though it is not where we call home.  I felt thankful for William Bradford and the man that he was.  I felt grateful for the sacrifices that were made.  I felt some shame and embarrassment too as I understood more about what happened to the Native Americans there.  For me it is fun to learn while on vacation.  I don't think it was the kids favorite vacation ever, but I think they enjoyed it too.

Plymouth Rock.  It is only one-third of its original size.  Tourists used to come and ship off a piece as a souvenir.

Four of the kids at the now enclosed Plymouth Rock

This is what Jacob wanted to do instead of look at the rock :)

The kids and I at the William Bradford statue commemorating our ancestor

One side of William Bradford's gravestone

The other side of his gravestone.  It took us a while to find it!  I think we went to no less than three graveyards on our vacation.  Is that weird?

In the Wampanoag Winter home at Plimouth Plantation.  I loved Plimouth Plantation because of all the wonderful workers.  It was great to talk to both modern day Wampanoag people, as well as actors posing as colonists from the 1630s village.  They brought a lot of understanding and insight.  

The kids in a Wampanoag canoe.  They made it by scraping and burning out a tree.  They had one they were burning that day.  Amazing!

Posers in front of a giant woodpile at Plimouth Plantation.

The English Village.  See the Harbor in the distance.

In the fort in the English Village

Bedding down on the Mayflower II, a replica of the original Mayflower.  Again the worker/actors were so knowledgeable and insightful.  Did you know everyone was basically squeezed together on the floor where there was several inches of water.  Everyone's skin got sore and damaged because it was always wet.  Not fun.

Monkeying around on the Mayflower

Jacob stood and watched the woodcarver for a VERY long time.  He was fascinated.

Liz and I on the deck of the Mayflower.