Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I wandered around the downtown harbor area in Plymouth on this chilly windy day. Very few tourists here right now, mostly just us locals "of a certain age."  Parking is free and easy, the meters are covered with bags for the winter season. In this image, the Mayflower II sits quietly at dockside as winter edges ever closer.   The Mayflower II is a reproduction of the vessel that carried the Pilgrims from England to Massachusetts in 1620.

The Mayflower II's bowsprit is silhouetted against the sky.

These lines support the masts. I think these are properly called block and tackles used to hold the mast in place rather than lift something which is the usual purpose of a block and tackle. Archimedes invented this device back in the 200's BC and it has been considered one of the most important inventions by humankind.

It's quiet on the dinghy dock today - that's the dinghy dock not the dingy dock. Although it is somewhat dingy.

Mimicking a Downeast Maine tradition, a lobster trap and buoy Christmas tree has been constructed on the town pier. More "ornaments" have been added since I saw this.

A gull normally seeking handouts from car visitors at the town dock launch circles by the pedestrian bridge connecting the harbor breakwater.

The sunward side of the breakwater glows golden in the late afternoon light - fewer boats are anchored in the harbor, most have been moved for the winter.  No pedestrians walking the path either. (And yes, the sky and the gull are horribly over-exposed but I liked the feel of emptiness and desolation so I kept this image).

Dune Grasses, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The green grasses of the warm season have slowly given way to golden tones.  These grasses help anchor the dune sands and reduce dune loss and movement.

And they look mighty pretty, too.

A few minutes with photo processing software and I turned this tuft of grass into a fireworks explosion - or should I say, at least that was my intention..........

A Walk on the Beach, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I like approaching the beach via this stairway.  It is not only convenient and dramatic but it also keeps us humans off the fragile dunes and their grasses.

As I approach the beach, these two dogs are busily sniffing at something dead and somewhat disgusting - no doubt they will be rolling on it very soon.

A few minutes later, done rolling on the dead thing, it's time to play with the tennis ball.  I loved this back lit glow - but he doesn't seem to understand he must drop the ball for it to be thrown again.

This gull stood for quite a while waiting for something to happen. I think gulls must not have heat/cold sensors in their legs - the water temperature is in the mid-forties Fahrenheit.

None of the land based critters ever seem to eat the seaweed - I guess they are not vegetarians. 

You know how you can tell this isn't my footprint? The dug-in toe suggests the owner is running.

Sunny Day, Plymouth Library, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday,  I posted images of the Plymouth Public Library on a rainy day. Here it is the next day with the sun shining.  Amazing that the grass is still so green in early December.

Me, I prefer sunshine - and warm air - and shorts - and short sleeve shirts - and sandals - and fresh avocados - and fresh papayas.........I think it's past time to leave winter behind.

Rainy Day, Plymouth Library, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

A warm driving rain in late fall made the brick portico/colonnade front entrance of the Plymouth Public Library glisten.

A nice place to sit a spell and watch the storm - bench open, no waiting.

Late Fall, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I don't know what this species is but it doesn't seem to realize that all the other trees have dropped their leaves - either a slow learner or a stubborn holdout. This is probably my last post this year that shows fall leaves.  We have experienced two days of strong winds recently (gusts to 50 mph) that ripped the last few from their branches.

Everywhere else around here trees are totally devoid of any leaves - they are ready for winter and the single digit (Fahrenheit) temperatures are right around the corner.

I think this bench has been living outside in the weather for quite a few years. Lichen doesn't appear very quickly.

What Do Vegans Eat for Thanksgiving? Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

This post is another in my occasional series about, "what do vegans eat?" Specifically, for this Thanksgiving. I don't speak for all vegans but, I eat pretty much the same thing I eat throughout the year - healthful, mostly unprocessed food that doesn't involve the killing or exploiting of animals. Ever notice how pistachios look like little tiny papayas?

Fresh finger foods like pistachios and grapes are good for starters.

Roasted red peppers in olive oil and garlic either spread on bread or dipped with chips make great appetizers.

And the old stand-by, cranberry sauce - for dipping and/or serving with the main course.

The main course requires flatware which also makes a great photographic subject.

This year's main dish began with sauteing all these beans, greens, and veggies, then the dish was covered in a whole wheat biscuit crust and baked. (Thanks as always to chef Amy).

And for dessert, to accompany the obligatory pumpkin pie, this turkey wandered by in the yard.  Of course since he was made of milk chocolate (not vegan) and not made of dark chocolate (possibly vegan), we let him pass unharmed....yeah, sure we did. Happy Thanksgiving to all regardless of whether your culture celebrates this holiday - we all have much for which to be thankful!

White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

I like it when my path is sharply in focus - sometimes it isn't.  (Panoramic image, click on it to view in full width).

It is very windy today after the passing of a cold front. The dune grasses are golden in the late afternoon light and I look like just a shadow of my former self. 

This viewing angle creates an illusion that White Horse Beach is on a crescent bay - it isn't. And the wind has really whipped up the surf today. 

Thanksgiving Preparation, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

This could be a clever marketing suggestion for canned pumpkin makers.  Unfortunately, it might be difficult to fit in a shipping box and stack on a grocer's shelf.  (Credit: stem-on-the-can idea by pie-maker-extraordinare Amy).

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Don't you just hate having to wait for a parade to start? What is it about parades that so captivates us anyway? This youngster was just plain tired of waiting patiently for it to start. The location is on Court Street looking towards the distant beginning of the parade route.

Like many parades, this one had a large inflated balloon character - befitting the occasion and location, it was a turkey. The brick building in the background is the old post office building.

This float carried the theme that "America is still the land of plenty."

There were military veterans marching proudly........

....and drum and bugle corps playing loudly......

......and lots of shimmery satin uniforms.......

......and no parade is complete without pirates........arghhhh..........

......I wonder what the proper protocol is when a "high five" is met with a "fist bump?" Is it like rock, paper, scissors?

For the first time this week, I got to see the beautiful Budweiser Clydesdales on a bright sunny day.

This Clydesdale and his wagon drivers must have shared some inside joke!

A drum and bugle corps pauses to play in front of the reviewing stand and hillside filled with parade goers.

Some visitors just enjoyed the warm sun and mom's loving embrace.

Some observers had to watch from inside the window.

There were many unusual hats spotted in the crowd.

I wonder why this man got to wear a cool beret while his bandmate wore a helmet with a furry monster climbing up the back.

A young boy riding on a float approaches the finish line.

This panorama is from atop the hill overlooking the reviewing stand (to the right of the flag) and the final leg of the parade route. The water in the distance is Plymouth Harbor. It was a spectacular day, not too cold, not too windy, a big crowd of happy people - a great day to be thankful for the bounty of life that we enjoy.