Cruisin With The Cuddies: Plymouth, Hyannis, Newport, Provincetown, Oh My.

Plymouth, MA

I have to say, this has been an amazing two weeks for Dave and I. The weather has been cooperating. A little chilly, but since it is October, that is to be expected. We have really enjoyed visiting this area.

Plymouth Rock Portico

Plymouth was just a short trip from the campground, so we set out there shortly after we arrived here. I have been here before, and remember being disappointed in the size of Plymouth Rock. Funny, but it was larger than I remembered. This city is very pretty. We toured the local area with a Park Service employee, who educated us on the Pilgrims, the fresh water brook that lead the pilgrims to Plymouth, and the site of the first settlement. The harbor was beautiful, bordered by a natural coastline protecting the harbor.

Plymouth Harbor

Town brook- Pilgrims fresh water pond which lead them to Plymouth

Plymouth rock

Statue of Tisquantum

Hyannis

We took a trip to Hyannis, to visit the JFK Museum there. Hyannis is a beautiful village in the town of Barnstable. We have been visiting a lot of homes of Presidents, so how could we not visit Hyannis, famous family home of the Kennedy family. The museum was made up mostly of photos, videos and stories. It took you through JFK's life in photos. It was interesting to see. As a young Catholic girl when Kennedy was assassinated, I remember the mourning of all the adults at the time. I didn't really know why everyone was so upset, I was only 5. Didn't really know what a president was, but my grandmother had photos of him in her house and she was very proud of him, and someone shot him. This is one of my first memories.

Of course since then I have learned all about JFK and his family. The Kennedy family had so many heartaches. The museum was a nice testament to the JFK and the Kennedy family. If you are interested in JFK, I believe the JFK museum and library in Boston would be the place to go for memorabilia. We did not make it to the Boston museum this trip, but may the next time we are in the area.

JFK Museum

St Francis Xavier Chruch

JFK Memorial

Park at Memorial

One of homes in Kennedy Compound

Newport, RI

Our trip to Newport was amazing. We viewed the Breakers, summer estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt II family. Amazing home built in 1895. We also viewed the Elms, summer home to coal magnate Edward Berwind. It was slated to be torn down in the 1940's but was saved from the wrecking ball at the last minute. Both were beautiful mansions with water views. Beautiful examples of Gilted Age upper class homes. While beautiful, the house seem so cold with large open spaces. You would get lost in there.

Now, the views along the cliff walk are stunning. I'd love to have the view. And the drive along the ocean was spectacular.

Breakers

Cliff walk

Statue at Elms, Lion eating an alligator. (Got my attention)

Elms

Provinceton

Now Provincetown is a place I really how no knowledge of prior to this trip. We just knew that it was a popular tourist place and that it was similar to Key West. So we had to give it a shot. We had fun there, but it is after there season, so some places were closed, and there weren't a lot of people there. The streets and sidewalks were actually very narrow. It was full of artsy shops. We had fun walking around, but it was the beaches and lighthouses that got our attention. We can see where this place would be amazing (but crowded) in the summertime. We took a leisurely ride home, so we got to see some of what Cape Cod had to offer, away from the highway.

Boston

Couldn't come this close without a trip to Boston. We drove to Quincy, and than took the subway in. That was an experience in itself. We have both been there before, so we just toured the old Court House, learned about it's history and the Boston Massacre from National Park employees. Wandered around Fanuiel Hall, and Quincy Market. Walked around Boston Common and took a trip to the bar that was an inspiration for Cheers.