Friday, 11 July
The “Rock” may be seen at the waterline of this mausoleum built as a shrine.
According to the signs around town, all the hand-outs and visitor maps, Plymouth is “America’s Hometown.” Get it? Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, what is stated to be “the oldest continuously maintained English settlement in the United States.” This claim is made notwithstanding the fact that Jamestown was founded in 1609 and the Pilgrims did not step on the Rock for another 11 years. But let’s not quibble over details. Let’s see what “America’s Hometown” is all about.
First stop, of course, the Rock where, it is said, Plymouth started. It also happens to be the historical site closest to Plymouth Yacht Club and that’s where the launch lands its passengers. Wind, wave and souvenir hunters have taken their toll. There’s not much of the rock left so that stop is brief.
A block or so away, is Mayflower II, replica of the 100’ long ship that arrived in mid-November after a 66-day crossing from England. Given her sleek lines, that must’ve been a pleasant crossing.
Mayflower II may not be ready for sea but she’s ready to be seen.
Farther down Front Street—which, duh—fronts the harbor, a stop at the Visitor Center yields intel on all manner of activity and attraction hereabouts. It’s good to get started early. School’s out, the weather’s perfect—sunny and 75 with a light breeze off the water—and the sidewalks and attractions get crowded.
With all the t-shirts and taffy, it’s easy to forget that Plymouth is a working harbor, too.
For local “color,” you can’t beat the Town Wharf, the working waterfront of Plymouth, home to the Harbormaster, fuel dock and a fleet of lobster boats.
Kate pays her respects to the memorial to her forefather.
The exhibits at Pilgrim Hall, up the hill on Court Street, are worth a visit. But of greatest interest to the crew of Steadfast was Burial Hill, where a tall obelisk marks the tomb of Thomas Cushman, one of the key men in the founding of Plymouth. He also happens to be one of Kate’s forebears. There are numerous other stones worth note and a remarkable view over the harbor, breakwater and beyond to the bay.
On a clear day, the view over Plymouth from Burial Hill is spectacular.
With all that walking around, it’s worth considering a stop for “home made” ice cream from Peaceful Meadows Farm. The Blue-Eyed Crab serves a wicked mango-guava barbecued swordfish sandwich and mixes Gosling’s with Boston’s own ginger beer, A. J. Stephan’s. Good stuff.
But wait, there’s more…at least, there is this weekend. With Arthur’s visit on the Fourth, the town postponed its celebration to the Twelfth, old-time small town parade with plenty of politicians, patriotic fervor, fire trucks, and a smattering of marching bands. When that ended, the Plymouth Folk & Blues Festival began at the new bandshell on the Commons. And tonight, there’s fireworks from a barge just the other side of the breakwater from where Steadfast sits. (It is hoped the wind continues to blow from the west.)
Police, patriots and politicians highlight the Independence Day parade in Plymouth.
So after all of that, what do you think – “America’s Hometown?”
For this visit, at least, it does feel a lot like home.
Steadfast out.
At Sea with Steadfast 
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