Monuments and Minty Lou's

Our first day in Massachusetts we had a delicious lunch from the local Dalton Diner!

"I get out of bed for my coffee."

Thank you to our fabulous Dalton, Massachusetts family! It was so amazing to spend time and make music with them! They also helped us discover Dalton's little known, but definitely important, Crane Paper Co.

"I get up because my dog Tedy tells me I have to, because I need coffee, because I can't feel my arms, and because I have 172568943 things to do before work..."

"I get up cause I have to go to the bathroom And  then I want my coffee and know a new day has dawned!"

"I get up in the morning because I haven't won the lottery...no other reason..."

Crane is the sole producer of the United States currency paper, as well as creating many other beautiful paper items such as stationary and note cards.

"I get out of bed everyday looking forward to what nice things will happen. It's a great life and I am enjoying it!"

"I get out of bed each morning, looking forward to making paper."

We walked in just in time for their presentation on the security measures encoded into the new U.S. one hundred dollar bill and a demonstration on homemade paper making.

The museum was filled with grand historical artifacts, informational tidbits, and even interactive features!

There's no way to miss Mary Lou's Coffee. With it's signature bright pink decorations, Mary Lou's was sure to wake you up with their exciting color and keep you awake with their espresso!

"I get up in the morning to work!"

One of their signature drinks: MintyLou.

A wintry symphony of creamed chocolate, blended ice, sharp mint, and coffee.

Sipping on our drink, we headed out to Cape Cod.

Confession: we may have looped around the rotary three or four times trying to get a half decent photograph of this cute display of greenery marking the cape.

As featured in the film Monumental, bundled on the outskirts of Plymouth, Massachusetts is a great American symbol of liberty. 

Devoted to honoring the uncountable sacrifices of the souls who fought for our greatest liberties, the National Monument to the Founding Fathers is something that's appreciation is only magnified by this massive figure.

Over 80 feet high, this granite memorial stands as the country's third largest monument.

Being the true adventurous girls we are, we just had to climb it.

While we didn't go to the very top, or even sit in the envious laps of the beautiful sitting statues, we did make it all the way to the dedication plaque.

"National Monument to the Forefathers Erected by a Grateful People in Remembrance of their Labors, Sacrifices, and Sufferings for the Cause of Civil and Religious Liberty."

Dedicated in 1889, this monument was erected to depict the virtues in which the forefather's brought with them when they landed in Plymouth.

The most important value being Faith, which stands high in the middle, cradling a Bible, and pointing her right hand finger towards the heavens.

Surrounding Faith are the other supporting, seated values of Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty.

Struck by it's enormous size, it's sometimes easy to pass over such remarkable details as the bulging veins along this piece of the statue's arm. But the monument isn't lacking attention in any corner. 

"To live another day for God (Lord Jesus)."

"To live another day."

From the exquisite lines which outline this granite stonework, to such minutiae specifics as symbolism, so much thought and preparation went into this tribute's creation.

Uncommonly known is that within the eyes of the statue Morality, there are no pupils. Legend has it that the sculptors of Morality gave her lacking them because she is looking inward; because a man must first have internal liberty before a society can have liberty externally.

The monument was located just outside of the city area of Plymouth, so we decided to wander through and experience more of our founding history as proud Americans.

"I'm ready to get going on the day. :)

I hear the alarm.

Excited to see what is happening. :)"

Thanks to our lovely help from the visitor's center in Plymouth we were able to travel to a days-full of various places. Here are a few of the highlights...

Docked right onto the water was a life size replica of the Mayflower.

And right down the sidewalk from the docks were the columns which identified the resting place of the Plymouth Rock, allegedly the stone in which the passengers of the Mayflower used to step off of the boat and onto shore.

There are many historical places and many stories all within a small area in Plymouth. 

Not too far away was the First Church in Plymouth which was under restoration while we were there, but still even beautiful from the outside.

Next to the church is burial hill which is the oldest cemetery in New England and also the original place of the first fort in Plymouth.

"This Monument Marks the Site of the Fort Built in 1621."

As a good end to any great day, let's soak up some sunshine and take a nap!

In the words by Governor William Bradford, carved into the National Monument to the Forefathers,

"Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all 

things of nothing and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a 

thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole 

nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all praise."

Waiting to see where the road takes us next,

Love,

The Crew