August 9, 2008

August 9, 2008

We spend our last day in Massachusetts driving south to the coast and visiting the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Site. In the mid 19th century New Bedford with its deep-water port became the center of the whaling industry. Whales were hunted for their oil, which was used to light the pre-petroleum world. It made New Bedford the richest city in the world for a while. At the Visitor Center we watch a film and then take a walking tour of the historic district.

Whaling was a tough industry with round-the-world voyages lasting 3-5 years! Aimee and I get tired of traveling after only a month! Herman Melville shipped out of New Bedford on a whaler looking for adventure. He jumped shipped halfway, returned stateside, and wrote the definitive whaling novel, Moby Dick. We see several of the buildings that inspired him. His church has a prow-shaped pulpit. We walk down to the port where dozens of modern fishing boats are moored. New Bedford is still New England’s fishing capital; the new money-fish are now sole, flounder, and scallops. New Bedford was also a hot spot on the Underground Railroad. Besides Abolitionists who aided runaway slaves, four-year whaling cruises were a great way for runaways to “escape” for several years.

Before returning back to the RV Park, we make a brief detour into Providence, RI to stop at the Roger Williams National Memorial. Roger Williams was a Massachusetts Puritan who was jailed for promoting the separation of church and state. He escaped to the present Rhode Island area where he established a British colony founded on freedom of religion. Prior to Williams, it was natural for government to mandate religious practices. If it weren’t for Rhode Island refusing to ratify the constitution, we might not have the Bill of Rights and freedom of religion. The Memorial is a small park where Williams had his first house. At the Visitor Center we peruse the exhibits. There are only two other people with us and they turn out to also be from the western suburbs of Chicago. One of them just happens to be married to a descendent of Roger Williams.

Back at the RV Park, the campers are entertained with a local “pro” wrestling tournament. We watch the first couple bouts. It is pretty hokey, nevertheless I end up having to pull Aimee away so she can make me dinner.