Plymouth, MA..Free Fun Friday August 30th.

I have been really busy and haven't had a chance to post this on my blog. The last Friday in August was Free Fun Friday again this year at Plimoth Plantation, the Mayflower ll and the grist mill in Plymouth, MA.
I went last year to the Plantation, and decided to go again this year. I picked up a friend and we went to the Plimoth Plantation first.
 The Mayflower is finally back moored in Plymouth Harbor after being gone all summer long. The boat was in Fairhaven, MA having work done to beneath the water line of the boat. We didn't get to the grist mill.  We wanted to get to the Plantation early before it got hot and humid and too crowded like it was last year.
I posted a lot of photos last year so I didn't take as many pictures this year at the Plantation.
baking bread
  oven ( I can't imagine baking in that, can you?
pilgrim women taking a break for a meal


building a wall around the settlement
hand sawn
close up of a thatched roof
  Pilgrim home with thatched roof
  
hollowing out a large tree using a fire to make a canoe

Eel river near the Indian encampment.
    Indian woman playing a game with pieces of rawhide and deer bones.
a pretty but prickly thistle plant in bloom

We had gorgeous weather that Friday. It wasn't too hot or humid to walk up and down the winding, dusty dirt paths thru the Pilgrim and Indian settlements.
You can see more photos that I posted last year here Plimoth Plantation August 2012

After we left the Plantation I drove to the waterfront. I didn't think I would find a parking space close to the Mayflower ll, but was shocked when I found an open parking space just a short walk to the boat.
Click here for interesting relating to the Mayflower  Facts about the Mayflower , First Thanksgiving, Crossing of the Mayflower, The Mayflower

one of the crows nests
compass on the Mayflower
looking out of the port holes

 baskets to hold fish and net
storage wicker basket
trap for catching fish

 
   heavy rope for the anchor
in the bow of the boat the rope was tied to this huge piece of wood and with cranking the rope would lower and raise the anchor.
kitchen area
oven and water barrel in back of cook area in front of the boat
small carved box
storage chest
bed
very narrow bed
only double bed on board the ship
small cannon
window in stern of the ship
barrels that were used to store provisions and water
 

 
The Mayflower Compact  
 
 
     Painting of the Mayflower crossing the Atlantic     
I hadn't been on board the Mayflower since my youngest son was in grammar school, so it was nice to visit again. I love Plymouth, and go at least once a week. So much to see and do and it is only 15 minutes away.
After my friend and I got off of the boat we took a walk along the water front, and harbor area.  Right in this area you can take a harbor cruise or go whale watching on one of the Capt. John boats. We stopped and had lunch at Wood's Fish Market.

Shirley had fish n chips and I had a lobster roll. The food at Wood's is always delicious.

2 cormorants resting on a dingy.

looking out in the harbor


We enjoyed our day in historic Plymouth.
  wading in the shallow water near shore

Walk to end Alzheimer's
On September 21st, I will be in Plymouth to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraiser. 
My cousin, Cheryl, my sister in law, Terry, and a friend of my cousins and I make up our team..(Love of Family and Friends)
I hope in the near future a cure is found for this devastating and tragic disease. I can't imagine how many of the aging baby boomers generation will suffer from this disease. My mother suffers from Alzheimer's, as did her mother, my grandmother. I am terrified at the thought that I may also get Alzheimer's. 
I look back at pictures from just 1- 2 years ago, and my mother has changed so much. Most days now Mom just sits and stares, when she walks she shuffles and has to depend on home health care workers to do everything for her. Somedays Mom knows my brother's names and other days not. With each passing day I am losing my mother a little more as her Alzheimer's progresses. It is  very sad and heartbreaking to watch. 
If anyone would like to sponsor me (Elaine Akers) when I participate in the walk later this month I can't thank you enough. Here is my page to make a donation. Walk to End Alzheimer's .
Elaine