Reputed to be the first place the Pilgrims set foot, the rock story is debatable, but the fact remains that the first settlers did step ashore somewhere within Cape Cod Bay. The exact spot is lost in the mists of the past, so the Rock serves as a symbol of the Pilgrim Spirit for the entire nation. The rock is enclosed within a pavilion that protects it from vandalism.
Noted on the signs around Plymouth Rock Park is a story about how the rock was never mentioned in any of the early writings of the Pilgrims, but was first talked about in 1795 as a symbol that needed to be honored. Years later, the top half of the rock was removed and moved to the top of Cole's Hill in Plymouth where it was displayed. After years of controversy, the halves were rejoined and placed within the pavilion. A well traveled rock, indeed.
The town of Plymouth is also home of the Mayflower II, an accurate, and sea-worthy recreation of the original ship, and available for tours.
As well as some of the most beautiful yachts on the East Coast:
From Cole's Hill, the entire bay is laid out.
The rest of the small village of Plymouth is devoted to tee-shirt shops, restaurants, and candy stores, as you would expect, I suppose, but it's a little bit of a let-down to see. Somehow, in grammar school, Plymouth and Plymouth Rock seemed somehow….bigger. In any case, we enjoyed the walk through the park. After a couple of hours we selected a cool spot in the park to share a sandwich from Mike's Sandwich Shop and have a couple of bottles of water. Even Sasha had her own bottle of water! She prefers to drink directly from the bottle, of course. No glass for her!
A nice day's drive, and a destination that we would have hated to miss, even with it's flaws. The history on the East Coast is phenomenal! Every way we turn there is another name or town or story that we've heard since grammar school. Awesome!
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