So you think you're a Homesteader Part 16

So you think you're a homesteader? Lessons from the MAYFLOWER - an unusual back to back post today because while the MAYFLOWER remains at anchor in Cape Cod, an exploring party is searching for a homesite- let's see what they're up to... December 6, 1620, 18 men including Miles Standish, Governor Carver, William Bradford & the incredibly lucky John Howland set out in the Shallop to find a site for the colony. A sailor named Robert Coppin has told them of a possible harbor he visited on a previous voyage, so they row & sail south. Exploring the coast on their way they are looking for some specific features, a safe harbor for ships, a river to allow access to the back country, fresh water, arable land suitable for farming & defendable high ground for their home site. On Friday Dec. 8 while exploring they are attacked by natives but no casualties are suffered. Later that evening a strong storm strikes the area and the Shallop suffers serious damage, it's mast broken in 3 pieces as well as the rudder. They are able to reach Clarke Island and spend a cold, wet Saturday & Sunday there, repairing the damage as well as possible. On Monday Dec. 11 they explore the area and decide that it is good enough for settlement. Not ideal though, the harbor is shallow and ships will have to anchor about a mile from shore. Plenty of fresh steams but no large inland river. On the plus side, the area has been cleared for agriculture by native peoples, burial grounds, decayed housing and un buried skeletal remains attest to a population swept away suddenly, seemingly by Devine providence for their benefit. Low hills provide defendable ground. Not ideal but after all the hardships & in desperate need they say "good enough" and return to the MAYFLOWER, arriving on Dec. 13th. What can we take from this aspect of the MAYFLOWER story ? When looking for land, you should have a specific list of desirable features that are important to you. Understand that the "perfect" site may not be available or affordable so keep an open mind on what is desirable and what is good enough. Looking for property can be fun & exciting but it can also be darn frustrating! If you're in the "looking for land" phase of homesteading, bear in mind that you should look for what it CAN BE, not just what it is right now.

-UNICOI LUDD