Massachusetts

The most significant state in New England due to its large population, economic influence, and concentration of cultural and historical sites. It has the largest population of any New England state and serves as a major economic, educational, and cultural hub. And!! as mentioned in an earlier post, this is where we are going to visit the replica of Mayflower!, important for me because it was the first model I built from a kit of Revell.

The reception was a bit wet, so it meant lunch was to be prepared under the awning … but with the drought of recent months, it is always good to smell the rainy atmosphere

PLYMOUTH

This is it!!. Back in 1620, 102 English settlers, known as Pilgrims, travelled from England to North America in search of religious freedom and a new life. After a difficult 66-day journey, they landed at Cape Cod instead of their intended destination and drafted the Mayflower Compact, a document establishing a form of self-governance for the new settlement. The subsequent winter was devastating, with many colonists dying, but the survivors established Plymouth colony and celebrated a successful harvest with local Native Americans, and set the foundation for future settlements. Some of the survivors came back to England though. Mayflower returned to England in 1621 but in 1624 it was scrapped after being declared in ruins.

Captain’s quarters

The replica was built in England between 1955 and 1957 and it sailed back to Plymouth MS. The picture shows the fabulous reception!!

Surprise!! We spotted a boat similar to the one we had in Dubai, Searay Sundancer 290 Cruiser….. it brought me back unforgettable memories as a captain ☺

And this is said to be the very place the Pilgrims made landfall and there’s a monument that protects something you wouldn’t imagine….. a ROCK!!

The tradition that the Pilgrims first stepped on this rock was first reported in 1741 by a 95-year-old man named Thomas Faunce. He claimed to have heard the story from his father, who had been a settler three years after the Pilgrims arrived

PROVINCETOWN

After a long day, it was time to go for a good meal in Provincetown, Cape Cod….

Next day it was all about Boston, and what better way than getting a map and follow the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile long walk. What they’ve done is something pretty neat, a foot and a half wide brick and cement lane that guides you through the whole trail touching base in the most significant and memorable sites in the city

BOSTON

The Bunker Hill monument, which commemorates one of the first engagements between the British and the Colonial forces.

That’s the line, just follow it and you won’t get lost in the historical city

The tour stops at the USS Constitution,

Built in Boston and launched in 1797 USS CONSTITUTION is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world today. During the War of 1812 the ship gained fame and its name “Old Ironsides.” CONSTITUTION remains both a training and ceremonial ship for the Navy, as well as an educational experience for visitors

TREE NUMBER 38

This one comes with a “cute” story haha. As soon as my friend Bill O’Neil from Florida learned that we were going to Cape Cod, he said we should swing by and say hello to his daughter, lovely Erin who lives in Chatham. Well, we went there and she was a sweetheart; we shared a cup of coffee and organic biscuits and not only that!! She was happy to get the tree planted at his garden!! Thank you Erin!!

So!! Lots of history in this New England state; just imagine being yourself and seeing all what was going on back in the 1600’s…. crazy!!