Last hurrahs - Plymouth

We had been to Plymouth before this visit, but it was always for a race and we left directly afterwards, without poking around the town much.  I especially wanted to go to Plimoth Plantation, because of the amazing history there, so we made the trek in May.  The Plantation is mostly outdoors and is a recreation of both Native American and English settlements in the early seventeenth-century.  First we went to the Wampanoag sites, where the historical actors are all Native people from the area.  Plymouth is the English name for the area, while the Native Americans called it Patuxet.

We learned that to make canoes, the Wampanoag's used fire to slowly burn out the inside of the tree trunk.  This meant they could make the boats without needing a lot of tools.

After checking out the Wampanoag village, we headed over to the English settlement.

At the blacksmith's

Isn't this the coolest wood pile you've ever seen?

The settlement had a stunning view, which was picked for safety, not looks

After we saw the Plantation, we headed over to the harbor to explore the replica of the Mayflower.

Sitting in one of the bunks.  Trust me, you would not have wanted to be a passenger on the cramped ship

It was such a beautiful day and since we went in the middle of the week, it wasn't crowded at all!

Beautiful harbor.  Oh East Coast, how I miss you

Like Lexington, Plymouth is one of those places so rich in American/colonial history, that everyone should make an effort to go and visit.  Seriously people.  I felt so blessed to live in a place where I was surrounded by the early history of our country.  There really is no other place like Boston, for that kind of thing.  Sermon finished.  After our day in Plymouth, we went to the first of Loren's graduation festivities:  a luau for the seniors.

Sophie perked up for some ice cream

That means next up is... Part 1 of Loren's graduation celebrations!

Last hurrahs - Lexington

And so begins a series of posts about all the things we meant to do and sites we meant to see while in Boston, but which we procrastinated doing and had to cram in at the very end.  First up, Lexington!  Lexington and Concord are always mentioned together, have so much history associated with them and are both beautiful places to visit.  However, it seems like we always had grand plans to start in Lexington and then move on to visiting Concord, but rarely made it that far.  So, I have visited Lexington more and am more familiar with it and that's why it merits a post, while we have nothing to post on Concord.  (If I remember correctly we didn't even make it to all the sites in Lexington on the same day and had to come back another afternoon to finish, so Concord never had a chance.)

Sophie in front of a rock marking the spot of the Old Belfry, where the alarm was rung to warn the town of the coming of the Redcoats on April 19, 1775

All the history in Lexington centers around the Town Green.  At one end is a statue of a minuteman and then clustered around and on the Green are various historical sites and memorials commemorating the "shot heard 'round the world."

This monument is one of the few that was erected around the same time as the Revolutionary War.  It commemorates the men of Lexington who died in that first battle, "the first Victims to the Sword of British Tyranny and Oppression."

It is very cool to be able to visit the exact location where the first people died fighting for our country.  It brought up all sorts of patriotic feelings in me and is just one of those places that all Americans should visit and pay homage to, imho.

Incorporated 1691.  That's 321 years ago!

I love old graveyards, they have so much character

Headstone of Samuel Stone, who died in 1769 when he was 85.  I'm just not buying the idea that people live longer now than they did back then.  Maybe it was just those hardy New Englanders who had such longevity...?

"These men gave everything dear in life, yea and life itself, in support of the common cause."  Oh to have something to unite our country today...

Marking the spot where the line of minutemen stood

Minuteman statue, meant to be Captain John Parker, leader of the colonists

View from Belfry Hill into downtown Lexington.

As a side note - earlier this year I went to the reenactment of the battle and here are a few pics of that.  For some reason, Loren didn't want to get up at an ungodly hour of the morning to join me.

 Colonists, with Buckman Tavern in the background

 Redcoats coming from the direction of Boston

 Battle!  The teenage girls next to me kept shrieking every time the guns discharged #annoying

 Buckman Tavern, where many of the minutemen waited out the night before the Redcoats arrived

Close-up of the minuteman statue

Next up:  Plymouth!

Fenway Park

As part of the 100-year anniversary of Fenway Park, there was a day you could go and tour all around it for free.  Sophie and I went and although were lots of people there, it was really neat and I'm glad we went.  Plus, we got some awesome photos, including some from the field and on top of the Green Monster.  Go Red Sox (next year anyway...)!

 We headed up on top of the Green Monster first.  With this view, you understand why they wanted to add seats up here.

 Lansdowne Street, with the Pru Center in the far background

 I asked Sophie to sit down so I could take her picture... she chose the seat that was farthest away, natch

 Ooh, real-live players

 We got to go on the field and walk all the way around!

 In front of the dugout

 I told you there were lots of people there, which meant a long line which bottlenecked at the Green Monster

 Of course we had to seize the opportunity to actually touch it, even if was against the rules...  You could see inside it too, where the scorekeepers work

 100 years!  Can you believe they wanted to tear it down?

 Wally, the embodiment of the Green Monster.  This prompted the purchase of a Red Sox shirt with Wally on it, so Sophie can learn young about which team to cheer for

I love it - the park and the city in the background.  We love you, Boston!