August 2016

Williamsburg, Virginia

Stepping back into history... Read more

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Trip start
August 20, 2016
Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 1
- Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 6:00 AM
- ⛅ 70 °F
- Altitude: 148 ft
- United States Telephone Playground 40.73977, -73.7518940°44’23” N 73°45’7” W
We're on Our Way!
August 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
We're leaving now for our vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia. We're planning to see Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Jamestown Settlement and then stop in Maryland for their State Fair on the way back home. We're both looking forward to a lot of fun and relaxation. Let's go!Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 1
- Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 5:30 PM
- ⛅ 86 °F
- Altitude: 95 ft
- United States Greensprings 37.28751, -76.7214437°17’15” N 76°43’17” W
We're Here!
August 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
It was a long drive but it wasn't too bad. Road trips are always a lot more fun when you've got someone special to share it with. Even though it was a good ride, we're still bushed! We just want to drop everything off at the hotel and then go get something to eat. We're starving!Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 1
- Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 5:40 PM
- ⛅ 86 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- United States Greensprings 37.28995, -76.7236737°17’24” N 76°43’25” W
We Made It!
August 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
We're at our hotel now, after a very long and tiring drive. It's too late for us to get any sightseeing done today so the fun will begin tomorrow.
Right now, we're just relaxing on the bed, looking over all the brochures we picked up in the hotel's lobby, and deciding what we'd like to do about dinner. We found a 10% off coupon for Golden Corral so it looks like that's where we're going to eat tonight. A buffet sounds like a good idea. We're both starving!Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 1
- Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 6:35 PM
- ⛅ 84 °F
- Altitude: 105 ft
- United States Greensprings 37.28426, -76.7153737°17’3” N 76°42’55” W
Golden Corral
August 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
We haven't eaten very much today because we've been on the road nearly all day. Since we're both really hungry a buffet place like Golden Corral is the perfect choice for us. We've been to Golden Corral before, both here in Williamsburg and also in Florida, and we've always enjoyed their food. I know that we can count on leaving feeling both full and satisfied.
I wish that Golden Corral had some locations in the New York area, but they don't. Buffets, in general, have become few and far between in the New York City and Long Island area. I always enjoy eating at buffets and would go all the time if we had some open up close to home.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 1
- Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 6:47 PM
- ☀️ 84 °F
- Altitude: 105 ft
- United States Greensprings 37.28426, -76.7153737°17’3” N 76°42’55” W
On the Chow Line
August 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Golden Corral was kind of busy but that was to be expected since it was the dinner hour. Their selection of food was very good but, somehow, we both remembered it as tasting better. Has their quality been slipping or do we have selective memories? I'm thinking it's a combination of the two. In any case, we both ate plenty and left feeling stuffed and happy. I'm glad that this place is so close to the hotel, in case we want to go back. Would we actually return though? I honestly don't think so. I don't think we'll be here long enough for a repeat visit. We're seeing so many other restaurants that we'd like to try while we're in Virginia. There's just not enough meals in the day to go everywhere.Read more
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- Day 1
- Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 8:09 PM
- 🌙 81 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- United States Greensprings 37.28995, -76.7236737°17’24” N 76°43’25” W
Our Room
August 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 81 °F
After eating at Golden Corral, we headed back to the room since there wasn't really anything for us to do in Williamsburg at this hour.
It's okay though. Right now, we're so tired all we really want to do is relax at the hotel, look through the brochures we got and plan out our next few days. It's going to be an early night for us.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 7:55 AM
- ☀️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- United States Greensprings 37.28995, -76.7236737°17’24” N 76°43’25” W
Good Morning!
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
We slept great and are feeling very well rested and refreshed. I wanted us to go back to Golden Corral for their breakfast buffet but Kathy wanted us to try the hotels free breakfast, to save time and money.
I wasn't thrilled with the idea at first but I agreed to try it. I have to say, it was a lot better than I expected it to be. Not only did they have things like muffins and dry cereal, they also had pancakes and waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, oatmeal, yogurt and fruits.
It was so good that we ended up eating breakfast here every day for the whole length of our stay. I guess sometimes the free hotel breakfast can be good after all. I'm glad we decided to try this meal.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 8:55 AM
- ☀️ 79 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- United States Shangjiahe Reservoir 37.27879, -76.6983437°16’44” N 76°41’54” W
Ready to Experience History
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
Seeing Colonial Williamsburg is the main reason that we came to Virginia so we're feeling very happy to be here. These living history museums are very unique and every visit is a different experience. We're so eager to go in and start our adventure.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:10 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 89 ft
- United States Shangjiahe Reservoir 37.27796, -76.7006737°16’41” N 76°42’2” W
The Old Mill
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
This was one of the first sights that greeted us as we entered the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg. Since this is a living history museum, everyone who works here is dressed up and living as if they are in the past. In this case, they are living as if it's the 1760's. We had come here for vacation many years ago but the kids were small and didn't have any interest or patience for a place like this. All they wanted to do was stay at the hotel and swim in the pool. I'm guessing the heat wave that was happening at the time had something to do with that.
Now, Kathy and I were back, just the two of us, so we expected to have a really good time here. We were very interested to see this museum last time. It took us many years but we finally made it back.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:12 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 89 ft
- United States Shangjiahe Reservoir 37.2772, -76.7000137°16’38” N 76°42’0” W
Into the Woods
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
After passing that windmill we walked for a little while through the woodlands of Virginia. We walked so much that we were starting to wonder if maybe we were going the wrong way but there was only one path so what other way could we have gone. I was surprised that the village of Colonial Williamsburg wasn't a lot closer to the visitor center and parking lot, where we got our tickets.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:16 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27538, -76.699237°16’31” N 76°41’57” W
Going Into the Past
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
After passing through the woods we went through this short tunnel. I don't know what the purpose of this tunnel was but I liked it. It felt like, as you walked through it, that you were going into the past. I don't think that's what this structure was set up for but I liked the idea.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:21 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 72 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27412, -76.700537°16’27” N 76°42’2” W
Signs of Revolution
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Before we got to the main village of Colonial Williamsburg, we walked past several fences, and a barn or two, with signs like this posted up. This was a great touch because, as you got further into Williamsburg, it was setting the mood for a city on the verge of revolution. It's the little touches like this that really make impressions!Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:25 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 89 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27408, -76.7017537°16’27” N 76°42’6” W
The Governor's Palace
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
This is the entrance to the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg. Home to seven royal governors and the first two elected governors in Virginia, the Palace was meant to project British authority and wealth. From the large display of period swords and guns to the elegant décor and grand ballroom, the Palace was built to impress.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:28 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 102 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27401, -76.7020337°16’26” N 76°42’7” W
Looking Out
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Here's a look out one of the windows in the Governor's Palace. I guess the making of glass was not perfected yet because the panes all show various degrees of distortion. Our guide told us that most of these windows still have the original glass installed. I'm impressed that this place has been so well maintained and cared for.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 9:37 AM
- ☀️ 81 °F
- Altitude: 98 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27403, -76.7021437°16’27” N 76°42’8” W
He Just Stepped Away....
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
The inside of the governor's mansion was still all furnished and looking as if someone was still living there, right down to little details like a pair of glasses and unread correspondence sitting on the desk. Almost everything in this house is the original furniture and personal articles. I think that the cloth is a reproduction though. The original material would have faded and rotted away long ago. From seeing all of these home furnishings, I'd have to say that people seemed to be smaller in the past. The scale of everything is slightly off from what we have now. This not very long ago either, in evolutionary measurements. Are we really growing so fast? Apparently we are. I've seen suits of armor in museums dating back to medieval times and they look as if they are sized to fit a large child rather than a grown man. It's amazing how much people change over time.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 10:05 AM
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 102 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27421, -76.7024637°16’27” N 76°42’9” W
In the Gardens
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
This is Kathy walking around in part of the extensive gardens around the Governor's Palace. This palace is such a showy display of wealth and privilege. I'm sure it stirred up a lot of resentment and hatred among the Virginia residents towards the British royalty.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 10:20 AM
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 85 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27337, -76.7024137°16’24” N 76°42’9” W
The Countryside
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Not all of Colonial Williamsburg was buildings like the governor's palace. In fact, most of it wasn't. This is what much of Colonial Williamsburg looked like. Sometimes, getting to different buildings involved quite a bit of walking.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 10:27 AM
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 82 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27335, -76.7023137°16’24” N 76°42’8” W
Summer Days
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Aside from all of the obvious sites to see here at Colonial Williamsburg, always look around and be sure to catch the little moments of everyday beauty that's all around us. Those unexpected moments can sometimes be one of the highlights of the day.Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 10:35 AM
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 89 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27294, -76.7024637°16’23” N 76°42’9” W
Weaving Baskets
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Scattered throughout the Colonial Williamsburg village are various houses, each one showing the different businesses and skills that existed during the colonial era. The first one we came across was basket weaving. The women here were really making baskets, as visitors watched. As they showed how they did their craft, they explained how baskets were used during the time and answered any questions that people had. It's so interesting watching these craftspeople at work! This woman looks so serious! I could easily see her living in 1607!Read more
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Destination Unknown Williamsburg, Virginia
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 10:40 AM
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 89 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27268, -76.7024337°16’22” N 76°42’9” W
The Candle Maker
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
The next craftsman that we saw was the candlemaker. He was working outside since his tools were creating so much heat from melting the wax. He was really into the part and gave a great demonstration on making candels as well as being very entertaining as he told all the information regarding his craft. Kathy was asking him questions, which he really seemed to appreciate. I think it's more fun for them to interact with the audience rather than to just be stared at by a silent group. When people talk to them, they really seem to warm up to their subject and their performance become much more interesting.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 10:57 AM
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 72 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27231, -76.702337°16’20” N 76°42’8” W
Going in Style
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Riding around in this horse drawn carriage looks like it would be a lot of fun, especially on a hot and humid day like we're having now. We're walking though. As enjoyable as a carriage ride might be, I don't want to miss anything here while we're seeing Colonial Williamsburg. I don't think that the carriage driver would be willing to keep stopping the horses and let me get in and out of the carriage every time I wanted to get a closer look at something.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:05 AM
- ⛅ 84 °F
- Altitude: 85 ft
- United States Palace Green 37.27207, -76.7023637°16’19” N 76°42’8” W
The Little Details
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
These are the sort of details I had mentioned before. While riding by on the carriage, you would probably miss seeing all this moss growing on the roofs of nearly every building here. This really gives the buildings a lot of character and helps convey that old colonial era look.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:14 AM
- ⛅ 84 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- United States Bruton Parish Church 37.27146, -76.7016237°16’17” N 76°42’6” W
Making Cloth
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Our next stop was seeing how cloth was made. This was not clothes, just cloth. After the demonstration, they explained that people just bought the cloth and then made their own clothing, unless they were well off. If they had a lot of money, they had other craftsmen make clothing for them. The whole process of turning cotton into thread, and then the threads into cloth, seems very complicated.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:15 AM
- ⛅ 84 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- United States Bruton Parish Church 37.2715, -76.701637°16’17” N 76°42’6” W
Spinning... Sort of
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
This contraption is used in the making of threads and cloth. By working a foot pedal, it spins around and opens and closes very quickly. It's purpose seems to be to wind the loose threads into bundles and onto spools. I wish this program supported videos to show how boisterous this wooden machine actually is. The first time you see it starting up it's quite startling.Read more
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- Day 2
- Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:16 AM
- ⛅ 84 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- United States Bruton Parish Church 37.2715, -76.701637°16’17” N 76°42’6” W
Colorful Threads
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Here's some finished threads, after being dyed different colors, fresh off that big wooden spinning machine. These threads are then, as I understood it, put onto a loom and woven into cloth. I'm surprised to see so many bright colors. I would think that people, in those days, wore very drab colors.Read more
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