This has been a long, long day. Our first stop was a visit to the Breakers--Cornelius Vanderbilt's summer cottage built in 1895 in Newport, RI. It had 70 rooms and over 125,000 square feet. It was absolutely breath-taking, especially when you consider that it was only used during the summer--an example of the Gilded Age. We then traveled several blocks down the shore and visited Marble Head, Alva and William Vanerbilt's summer home built in 1892. It had 50 rooms and required a staff of 36. Then we drove an hour and a half to Plimouth Plantation. It was a historic re-creation of a 17th century village with a local Indian tribe community, an English colony, craft center, museum store, restaurant, etc. The Mayflower was only a couple miles from there. Up to this point, the day had been grey, 72 degrees, very humid, misting, and sprinkling. When we got out of the bus to visit the exact replica of the Mayflower, it poured. Despite a rain coat and umbrella, everything (except my underwear) got soaked. We got on the Mayflower and briefly looked around. We walked back and took shelter. Did not go and see Plymouth Rock. Our spirit of adventure was getting seriously diluted. The bus finally showed up. We then sloshed back on the bus and rode three hours. Passed through Mass., New Hamphire, and ended up in Maine. Stopped at a restaurant for baked cod (the best ever) and arrived at our motel by 9:00 PM. By the time we ate, one sleeve was still wet: all else had dried out.
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