Mayflowers and Ducks

Today we decided to bore the kids with a little trip back to the 1600's.  We went to the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA.  It is a living museum which recreates the original settlement of the pilgrim colony.

Olivia was very excited to begin the tour!

First we visited the 17th century English village -- a recreation of a small farming and maritime community.  We were able to walk in all the homes and speak with costumed actors who portrayed actual residents of the village.  Ethan was really able to get into character and had a good time conversing with the villagers (and maybe even learning something in the process)!

grinding the maize for dinner

sweeping the floors

lounging after her chores

Next, we went to the Wampanoag homesite along the Eel river where tke kids could speak with some real native people and learn about how they lived in the 1600's.  All 4 kids said they would have liked to live as a Wampanoag rather than a Pilgrim!

Once the kids were thoroughly disgusted, hot and hungry, we took them to see Plymouth Rock, and the Mayflower.  Although it was really interesting walking aboard the ship and seeing the tiny space that held 120 passengers for months, all the kids really wanted to do was eat lunch and go to the hotel pool!

yep, this is the rock -- behind bars

the view from above the rock!

The kids and the Mayflower

Ethan and his ladies

Ethan's opinion of the Mayflower tour!

When we finally got to our hotel,  the pool was CLOSED, which was the absolute worst thing that could ever have happened.  Ethan was so upset that he told the front desk manager, "I have been traveling in the car all day doing boring things and all I was looking forward to was swimming at the hotel.  I am very disappointed that your pool is closed".  Sadly, even his heartfelt plea did not change the situation.  4 hot, angry children + 1 small hotel room = 1 long night!  To add insult to injury the TV did not have Disney or Nickelodeon, and here was the view from our room:

Arggghhhhh!

We did survive the night, and set off for Boston the following morning. We roamed around and found a wonderful organic market where we bought some snacks for a quick picnic before we boarded the amphibious Duckmobile to tour the city on the streets and IN the Charles River.

Please Charlie, Don't get your clothes wet!!!!!

Our WWII Style amphibious landing vehicle, or "Duckmobile"

As we drove through the city streets of Boston we had many chances to quack our hello!

The "quackers" were all good until we got back in the car ...

going into the water -- Look Mom, we're a boat!

 Each of the kids even had a chance to actually drive the Duckmobile while we were in the water.

Ethan getting some driving advice from the conDUCKtor!

The USS Constitution

Post Duck tour!

We stopped at a scenic spot along the way to our hotel for some lunch and then checked into the hotel where we upgraded to a suite and the pool and hot tub were ... OPEN!!! 

Ahhhh ... so happy to be back in the pool!