Dinger to Plymouth, Plimouth and Hyannis

When Q was on his mission in Montreal, a trip outside of your assigned area was called a dinger. It was NOT a good thing. But I really, really wanted them to see Plimouth Plantation. And this dinger wasn't against any rules. I had been there in 1996 with my folks. After a couple minutes in the air-conditioned car, we were all glad to make the trip. We stayed in Plymouth Wednesday night after a 5-hour car ride. It only takes 4 hours, but we had to stop 4 times for potty breaks!

We saw Plymouth Rock that night. Sterling was doubfounded that it was so small. They say it has eroded to about 1/3 the original size. Earlier, Jennifer wasn't impressed with the pool. We thought after her Connecticut visit, she would be anxious to swim. Ha. The water slide was too scary to even attempt a swim in the pool. (That only makes sense to a 4-year-old.) Quint and Ster loved the hot tub. Jennifer was too young for the hot tub, despite her insistance that she was 16-years-old. I'd be totally grey-haired if she was...
Across the street from the hotel is a cool pond. Complete with geese and turtles.





The next day we went to The Mayflower II and Plimouth Plantation. It was very fun. Although it had been chilly and drizzling a bit the night before, the weather was perfect and not at all humid.
The actoros on the Mayflower will only answer questions and talk as if they lived at the time. There are other guides who will answer modern questions. At the Plantation, the native people will answer any quesitons. They freely talk about their life now and what their ancestors did. This particular fellow was showing how they hollowed out a tree to make a boat. A woman was cooking. others were gardening. One was in a home. Then Pilgrims in the plantation answer questions just like those on the Mayflower. Some of the homes I saw in 1996 are not there. They have build new ones. Last visit, they told us that it isn't uncommon for one to burn down. There are no chimneys — they cook under a hole in the roof. After a rain, it can be quite muddy inside. Made of all natural materials, the homes probably rot also.

That night we drove to Hyannis and stayed there. Jennifer was impressed with the playground outside the sliding door of our hotel room. They have a wave pool, a hot tub and a mall with a Talbots. So everyone was happy. She was a little more brave in the wave pool and that prepared her for the beach the next day. She delighted in "saving" her brother from the waves.The next morning Jennifer awoke with a start and said, "I'll be outside if you need me." Off she went to the playground. We then went to IHOP and the beach. They have cool shells on the beach, unlike Santa Monica or Malibu. Jennifer got so wet "wakling on the beach" and splashing in the waves that we had to open the suitcases and start all over.

Then we drove home... until a couple miles outside of NYC. Then we crawled home. 7 hours total. Two hours spent merging and merging and merging and merging awaiting to get on the Geo. Washington Bridge. Which we actually don't get on... we get off the freeway at the last exit in Manhattan and the one before the bridge! It was crazy. We barely made it home by 10 pm to return the rental car.

We took a short subway ride home and were ready for a shower. No sweating all day and 15 minutes going home in the subway and we were soaked. But now we understand a country home, city apartment and the purpose of "The Hamptons."