July, 2009

Well, you've hit the jackpot, picture-wise! Penney took off for Vermont pretty much as soon as school was out (her mother no longer drives, and needs increasing attention from us). Bob made it to Vermont twice, with a second trip to Minneapolis sandwiched in between. While in Vermont, we attended a "preview" of Ken Burns' new film on the national parks, and Penney got to meet The Man Himself while I was getting the car (she didn't wash that hand for days and days!).

We also made a side trip to the Boston area, where we met Andrew and Emily, toured the sites associated with John Adams, and then went down to Plimouth Plantation where we communed with members of the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans, whose ancestral grounds these were, and also with Penney's ancestors in the Plimouth village recreation just outside Plymouth. A replica of the Mayflower is moored in Plymouth, and of course, we toured that as well (it's actually bigger than I had anticipated). A wonderful day all-in-all.

We attended (as usual) the Fourth of July festivities in nearly Saxtons River (my favorite "4th" parade ever), taking home a peach pie from the Churchwomen's table at Gram's church. Penney's nephew, Michael, and his partner came down for a visit (we always love seeing them); Michael's a teacher who loves to make historical points in costume; I told him I'd bet he wouldn't come in his Roman toga. I lost.

Back in Minneapolis, I attended a different kind of spectacle: the "Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freak Show." It features all kinds of motorcycles, but the biggest attraction is the show of "rat bikes," which (I am informed) are motorcycles laden with parts not native to motorcycledom (don't worry, you'll understand when you see the photo of the saddlebags made from GI ammunition boxes!) A band whose members are buddies of Christopher and Jeffrey was playing the show, and it was all great fun.

It's a lousy cell-phone picture, but it is Ken Burns!

We took Mom to the Ken Burns event, which was held at the Bellows Falls Opera House for the benefit of a local historical society (Ken Burns lives just across the Connecticut River, in Walpole, NH) and a national parks support group.

The evening included segments from each of the films which are a part of "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," which was telecast later in the Fall on PBS, and commentary about the making of the film by Mr. Burns and his co-producer, Dayton Duncan. Andrew and Emily gave me the DVD for my birthday.

Plimouth Plantation is full of historical re-enactors, who are very knowledgeable and very good at staying"in character." This gentleman is playing the part of a clergyman who served Plymouth colony. Naturally, I argued theology with him (he knew his stuff!). I was astonished to learn that not all the Pilgrims were Separatists; Plymouth included continuing members of the Church of England.

The house where John Adams was born, Quincy, MA

"Peacefield," the home eventually built in Quincy, Massachusetts, by John and Abigail Adams. It was occupied by their descendants until relatively recently.

The first house built by John and Abigail Adams, virtually next door to his birthplace.

Andrew and Emily outside Peacefield.

Andrew and Emily, after lunch in Scituate, Massachusetts.

A typical Wampanoug dwelling, Plimouth Plantation.

The Mayflower II, seen through an arch in the canopy over Plymouth Rock

I spent a fair amount of time talking with one of the historical re-enactors aboard the Mayflower II, who explained the navigation system to me. On each watch, the helmsman noted the direction of sail and approximate speed by inserting pegs into the board shown above. At the end of the watch, the information was transcribed into the ship's logbook, and the information used to deduce position along a given parallel of latitude. The phrase "dead reckoning" is really "ded[uced] reckoning," and is based on calculations of time and speed.

The stern of Mayflower II (notice the flower above the captain's cabin).

Here's Penney, inside the cottage in Plimouth Plantation representing the home of Governor William Bradford, her 9th-great grandfather. She felt right at home!

The homes were small and somewhat cramped, and were really used mostly for cooking, eating and sleeping. Each had a garden plot outside (where human waste was used for fertilizer). Common areas (as for the grazing of sheep and raising of community crops) were located away from the houses. Governor Bradford's home had two cannon mounted on the fence outside!

The galley aboard Mayflower II. The galley was tended very carefully, as of course there was a fire kept going all the time for cooking meals! The quarters belowdecks, where the passengers were berthed, were rude in the extreme (the crew, at least, had hammocks to sleep in; passengers were warehoused in cubicles around the sides of the ship. It's a miracle that any of them survived the voyage.

The ship is very narrow, which helps keep the center of gravity low enough to prevent a capsize; but it was larger than I had anticipated.

Penney with the status of Governor Bradford

Saxton's River, VT, dressed for the parade. The steeple in the background is that of the former Congregational Church, which federated with (and uses the building of) the local Baptist church.. The old church now houses the town's historical society.

One of the things I love about the parade in Saxtons River is that everybody gets into the act. They have featured in the past, the local coven of Wiccans, stilt-walkers of truly amazing proportions, pet-care salons (with customers) and, this year, a gourd orchestra.

You just can't find that sort of thing in Ohio!

The eponymous river, just as one enters the town. If you were to follow the river downstream for about seven miles you'd be almost at Grandma's house!

The perennial crowd favorite is a troupe of Morris dancers from Brattleboro, VT

And of course, what would a parade be without vintage fire trucks?

After the parade, there's a hula-hoop contest, among many other amusements (including firehose soccer).

Penney heads home with her pie!

This picture was taken over half a mile from the entrance to the village. As you can see, there are still cars parked on both sides of the road for a considerable distance. The parade is a huge local draw, and the sheriff's deputies turn a blind eye to the illegal parking.! Vive la Independence!