Day 29 - October 27, 2024

We are off to Williamsburg today. It is only a three-hour drive, checkout at 10:00 and can’t check in until 4:00 so…. a couple stops along the way. First, a quaint little town, Gordonsville, then Richmond Virginia, the state Capitol. Here we toured the Capitol building. It houses the oldest elected legislative body in North America, founded in 1619. This building dates to 1788 and also served as the Capitol of the Confederate states during the Civil War. The statue of Washington is the only one for which he posed. There are copies all over the U.S. but this is the original. The building has undergone extensive renovations and expansions over the centuries and is beautiful. The history, however, is less so.

After the Civil War, the southern states had to re-write their constitutions to take slavery out. This was done in 1867. By 1902, there were 24 black representatives in the Virginia Congress. But Virginia again decided to re-write the rules and disallow blacks from voting. By 1907, there were zero blacks remaining in the Congress. This rule remained in place, unbelievably, until 1968.

After visiting the Capitol, we found a lovely little park overlooking downtown, surrounded by beautiful old homes and Maple and Oak trees. The last two shots are the reception building of our timeshare home for the next week.

Day 30 - October 28, 2024

Just an easy day today, getting the lay of the land here in Williamsburg. So, just a few shots of a river, a road, some gorgeous homes, and a Great Blue Heron (at a distance). More tomorrow!

Day 31 - October 29, 2024

Colonial Williamsburg. The capital of Virginia from 1620 until 1780. The place where the Declaration of Independence was created and executed. So much history that it cannot be described here, or in a hundred volumes.

This is the largest living history museum in the world. Over 300 acres. Several hundred buildings, of which, about 30% of the buildings are original and the rest are incredible restorations. Some are privately owned, but under strict restrictions. Actors portray characters from the era, giving speeches, teaching the history, and acting out plays. Working shops, tinsmith, blacksmith, jewelry, stores, all adhering faithfully to the past. No cars. The church is original. It has been in continuous service since 1715. The governor’s mansion and the Old Capitol where Washington, Jefferson, Madison and the others met and worked on the Declaration. Often, also in the “Raleigh” house in secret. If you are ever here, spend a couple days exploring this amazing place.

Then we went to a park by a lake for a small lunch and some shots of the local beauty. All of the photos from today should be viewed “full screen”, as always.

Day 32 - October 30, 2024

Before there was Williamsburg, there was Jamestown. Jamestown is only about 20 miles from Williamsburg, and it was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. The English arrived in May of 1607. It was a tenuous start with alternating friendships and skirmishes with the local native confederation, the Powhatan. They had a representational government (of a sort) by 1619, but the colony was almost wiped out in 1622 by a Powhatan attack. But is survived, flourished and expanded.

The site today consists of the National Historic site which is an archaeological site. The church you see here is a reproduction and the rest of the site is pretty much ruins. Next there is a reproduction settlement. You start in a beautiful visitor centre and then head out through a Powhatan village, down to the port where there are three reproductions of the three ships that came in 1607. Today however, only the smallest was there. The Discovery. 20 tons. 9 crew members and 12 settlers. Very small, only 38 feet long. I can’t imagine spending three hours at sea on this ship, much less 144 days… during winter. Next you move on to the reproduction of the fort that was constructed early on by the settlers. Again, there are actors playing various roles and one of them is a firing of a musket demo. It took me four tries to get some of the fire coming out of the barrel and even then, I am about a tenth of a second late.

All in all, an interesting day.

Day 33 - October 31, 2024

Then there was Yorktown. Again, Yorktown is only about 20 miles from Williamsburg. In 1781, the Revolutionary war had been dragging on for five years. Washington feared it was not going very well for the Continental Army.  Then the battle of Yorktown changed the course of the war. Again, too much to go into here, but with the help of the French, the surrender of over 8,000 British troops under General Cornwallis, the tide turned. A couple years later it was over, and the United States became a reality. 80 years after the battle, there were Civil War battles fought here as well.

Today Yorktown is a National Park. The battlefield contains a 7-mile drive through the forest and streams, with signs highlighting the various positions and explaining the battle.  The town is simple beautiful. Peaceful and serene. Old homes and churches, a lovely waterfront. Too many photo opportunities.

One would think Yorktown would be enough for one day. Nope. I decided to go on a “Ghost Walk” on Halloween night in haunted Williamsburg. Well, that’s the way they promote it. Pretty cool. They have fire pots lining the streets, many homes lit up and people dressed for the occasion. I wanted some night shots anyway, so why not? There are a couple ghostly shots here. I will let you decide!

Day 34 - November 1, 2024

Except for about two days, we have had amazing weather so far (may it continue!). Today was still good but cloudier than we are used to. We had a very quiet day today. Jamestown Island Road was closed the other day when we were there because they were “counting turtles”. The road was open today and we counted exactly one turtle who didn’t even pose for a photo. But we still managed a few interesting shots. Including some crabs that I found scurrying around in the mud.

Then dinner in old Colonial Williamsburg. This is a special place. Quiet, relaxed and serene. Folks just wandering around the old buildings, shopping, eating and relaxing. If you are ever in the area, don’t overlook this gem. Yorktown and Jamestown are also right next door.