Welcome to the Rock

After our all-night party with the boys next door, we hit the road again. This time we headed east. East, as in all the way to the sea. I slept through parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. We arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts ready to learn about our forefathers.

Plimoth Plantation (that's how they spell it, really) is a must-see if you have school age children. Even though we were the only adults under the age of 65 that day, it truly is a great place for kids.
This is the sleep deprived mama that almost ended up in the 5 o'clock news. But she is happy now. Hubby spoke her language and found a Starbucks.

We enjoyed the harbor of Plymouth, too. (my pictures are out of order, but you get the point)
My little man got to help the settlers cut some firewood. He worked until they had sawn (sawed, did saw -??) all the way through. The actors are so good with kids. They only speak to you as if it were the 1600's. How heartwarming it was to hear "Godspeed" and "God go with you"... something we just don't hear anymore without someone getting offended.

When I saw this guy all I could think of was Magua from Last of the Mohicans.
While I was inside a hut with the kids, he walked past my husband and said, "wha's up, dude."

Hmmm... I didn't know Magua was so cool!

Back at the harbor, we had to see THE rock. I mean, our nation was built on this thing.
A giant arbor is built over the rock, with a big wrought iron fence around it. I was expecting more than a 3 foot piece of concrete, but hey, this is America. After all, we built this city on rock-n-roll... (anyone have that classic Starship song dancing through your head now?) For a point of reference, that little white thing to the right of the rock is a piece of gum. Yep, only in America would someone try to leave their mark on the very foundation of democracy with Juicy Fruit.
The harbor was full of beautiful ships, but we were headed for the mother ship. The Mayflower II is an exact replica of the original one, or so the man taking our money said. Word to the wise, if you happen to visit Plymouth, Plimoth, Plimouth - whateva, I would say don't waste your money on touring the ship. Not that exciting, unless your kids think pee pots are totally cool. Remember, we were into new forms of toilets by that point, so it redeemed itself.

When we arrived at our camping destination for Plymouth, Mass. I was hoping that the name of the camp ground would be an indication of how the night would go: Ellis Haven

Haven, as in rest, sleep, slumber, quiet.

As I went in to the office I put on my sweetest, most southern belle voice and told the woman of our horrible previous night. She took sympathy and gave us the quietest spot in the campground with a bathhouse a stone's throw away. With HOT showers.

I need to just go ahead and address the elephant in the room. I am a novice camper. We've camped before, but it had been awhile. Like 10 years and 3 children ago. So this was a learning experience for me. A step outside of my comfort zone.

When I read in my trusty AAA campground book that there was a fee for hot water, I was a little surprised; but by the time we made it to the campground, I was ready to sell my kidney for cash if need be. No wonder the woman seemed startled when I asked how many quarters it would take for 60 minutes of hot water. I wasn't kidding.

Ellis Haven lived up to its name. Hot showers, {enforced} quiet hours, clean sites. Never mind the fact that we felt like we stepped into a 1960 RV time warp. It was QUIET.

While the kids enjoyed hotdogs over the campfire, I had New England bay scallops.

Just because we're roughing it, doesn't mean I can't enjoy the local fare. ;)

Little did I know just how thankful I would be for our nice quiet night...