Monday, January 31, 2022

A Beautiful Day in Plymouth

 Last November was a very good month for me, probably the best month of 2021 (which was undoubtedly the hardest year of my life, knock on wood). The month started out very nicely with a lovely day trip to Plymouth with Meredith and Beth. The weather was nice, the company was great, and the location was one of my favorites. It was one of the most enjoyable days I'd had in awhile, and I very much needed it.

First we went to Plimoth Patuxet (formerly and better known as Plimoth Plantation), which I've been to several times over the years, but it was Beth's first time going. Even though I'd been there before, I didn't realize what an amazing gift shop they have in the main building. I think it's the best gift shop of just about any place I've ever been! And they sell fudge there that is baked on the premises--and it is divine, and I'm not even a big fudge fan! This was an excellent (if not very profound) discovery to make at one of my favorite historical places!

Several of these people are my ancestors! (See the last picture of this post for who helped beget me.)

I totally dig the dress, but not the hat.

We sat on the bench outside of this house for a family picture when the boys were little.

See the sea in the distance? 
The pilgrims have impressive gardens!




Oozing in thatch 

Photobombed!

Either a murder or a nosebleed happened here. Hopefully the latter. πŸ˜„



This quiver of arrows in a Wampanoag hut reminded me of one of my favorite protagonists, Katniss Everdeen.

We ate a good seafood lunch in downtown Plymouth.
Bacon-wrapped scallops!


I love the colors on this shell, and the scenery behind it.

We went onboard the Mayflower II. I hadn't been on it in a long time so it was fun to see it again.



These windows look so British. Gee, I wonder why? 😁

All three of us are Mayflower descendants.

William Bradford, author of the Mayflower Compact and governor of Plimoth Colony, is my 11th great-grandfather. I get a kick out of telling fellow Mayflower descendants who aren't descended from him that my ancestor was the boss of their ancestor. I think I'm the only one who gets a kick out of this. πŸ˜†

Then we walked over to see Plymouth Rock.

The Rock is down there at the bottom of the Grecian Temple (ha ha).

Me and my Great-Gramps! 

I have so much admiration for William Bradford. I think he was inspired by God in the things that he did. He wasn't perfect, but he was a good person who helped lay the foundation for what would become the United States of America.

Aren't we cute? πŸ˜‰

And to further end on a family history note, these are my Mayflower ancestors. Five great-grandfathers, two uncles, and seven cousins. I love family history. Someday I hope I get to meet all of them. 

It was one of my favorite days of all last year, and it truly refreshed my soul. I'm thankful to be from and to live in New England, and I'm thankful for history, for good friends, for family history work, for seafood, and for the discovery of a wonderful gift shop and delicious fudge! 😁