For the first time since 2007, our family took a "just-us" vacation!  We went to Massachusetts to see Plymouth and Boston.  It was a good trip for the most part.  We did have the 9-hour drive (and the accompanying whining and bickering), plus the serious conflicts over who gets to push the elevator buttons at the hotel.  But other than that, we had a lot of fun!

The first day we visited Plimoth Plantation.  They have a Wampanoag Village and the English Settlement, both authentically portraying what life was like 400 years ago.  It was really interesting!  They had actors playing the parts of the English settlers, so you could talk to them about details of their lives.

Tab & Jesse in front of a Wampanoag home

The Indians made these canoes by burning out the inside of a tree.

Enjoying the "English Village" at Plimoth

Everything was authentic . . . even down to hand-made nails,
clapboard siding, and thatched roofs!

Beautiful view of the ocean from the high end of the village

I can't imagine living through such difficult times.  It was nice and pleasant on a sunny day in April, with a stroller full of snacks, and having slept in a bed the night before and taken a hot shower that morning.  But just imagine arriving there in December with half of your people dying from sickness, very little food, no housing until you build it yourself . . . it would've been horrible!  

Next we drove a few miles up the coast to where Mayflower 2 is docked.  This is an exact replica of the original.  This one was built in 1959 in England and then sailed across the Atlantic, just like the first one did.  It was fun to see.  But again, we were on it for maybe half an hour, while it was still, while the weather was beautiful, and with only a dozen or so people on board.  Imagine spending over 2 months in this ship with 100 other people, on a stormy sea during a freezing winter.  Instead of a nice, clean smelling boat, imagine the smells of 100 people (many of them sick) all crammed into the tiny ship.  NOT my idea of a fun adventure!

The Mayflower 2 (1959 replica of the original)

66 days in here?!?!  Rayanna couldn't sit still for a 10-second photo shoot!  

 Next we walked over to "Plymouth Rock."  Fortunately, we'd learned ahead of time not to expect anything grandiose.  There's really no evidence that the Pilgrims actually landed here, and the rock itself is . . . shall we say . . . not much to look at!

The very unimpressive "Plymouth Rock"

Jesse on the lookout for pirates

 After our day of touring we went back to the hotel for some swimming.  Jesse said that was his favorite part, and he complained every time we had to leave the hotel.  Next vacation, we'll just find a hotel with a pool right here in Maryland and skip the long drive!

The hotel pool was the main attraction for the kids.

 Friday night we went to the Boston Children's Museum.  It was pretty neat, but it was "dollar days" on Friday, so I think the entire city of Boston was there.  Way too crowded for my taste, but the kids had fun.

at the Boston Children's Museum
(very scary claustrophobia-inducing climbing structure, but the kids loved it!) 

Saturday morning we went back to Boston to walk the Freedom Trail.  We started here at this beautiful park, which was the only relaxing part of the day!

at the Boston Common park

 The two-and-a-half-mile trail is a literal red line, made of red brick in some areas and just painted on in others.  It goes past many famous sights from Revolutionary times.  It was pretty neat, but very tiring with 4 children!  Thankfully Ethan is big enough to steer the stroller now, since Jesse and Tabitha requested several piggy back rides.  We did manage to walk the entire thing, with several snack breaks and without losing any of the kids!

Paul Revere's house

a fountain near the Old North Church

We finally made it to the end of the Freedom Trail

After the long day in Boston, we went back for more swimming of course.  Sunday we drove home, vowing to never drive anywhere with children again.  But I'm already thinking about where our next vacation will be.  I guess travelling with kids is like labor pains . . . after it's over you forget how painful it is until the next time rolls around and you're wondering why on earth you did this again!?!  =)

But, all-in-all it was a good trip.  We made some fun memories, learned some interesting history, and enjoyed a break from the routine.  God blessed us with safety, lots of fun, and perfect weather.  I'm really glad we went!