Plymouth Rock

The Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by Halsall

Every school kid in America learns about the arrival of the Pilgrims on December 21, 1620. Recall all those kindergarten Thanksgiving plays where the little darlings dress up in pilgrim hats and buckled shoes, step from the Mayflower and land on a make-believe Plymouth rock?

Years ago, when we took our children on their first visit to Plymouth, Massachusetts, the real rock was available to step and climb upon. Alas, just like Stonehenge, clambering children and souvenir chipping tourists have closed access to these ancient stones. The rock, which has been enclosed by a columned shelter, is now only to be looked at and not touched.

At Plymouth Rock ~ July 2009

Look down between the railings to see what remains of Plymouth Rock. Perhaps you expected it to be much larger. It was originally and it was in the water which came closer to the shore. The feeling of history still prevails. An excellent presentation by a park ranger tells the story and, if you close your eyes and think hard, you can imagine the trepidation felt by those brave sailors and their families as they stepped onto a new continent after a long, hazardous sea voyage from Devon (my home in England), on such a tiny boat. Of the 102 Mayflower passengers, only half remained alive by the following Spring. The ship sailed back to England that Spring of 1621, however despite the Winter hardships, none of the Pilgrims returned with the ship.

Mayflower II, the replica of the Mayflower ~ moored behind her were two Tall Ships visiting for the Independence Day celebrations.

A quick visit here on a fine July afternoon was another history lesson on our New England journey.