Williamsburg, Virginia

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Williamsburg, Virginia Destination Unknown
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:18 AM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 69 ft
United States Bruton Parish Church 37.2715, -76.701637°16’17” N 76°42’6” W
Hard at Work
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Here's one of the craftsman working on the loom to make all those threads into cloth. It looks like a very repetitive and complicated process. Back then, people had to work so hard for everything they had. Such a difficult life!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:29 AM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 75 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27096, -76.7005637°16’15” N 76°42’2” W
The Scribe
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
In this building, there was a demonstration of writing with quills and using inkwells. Kathy tried her hand with the quill and did very well with it. It's a lot more difficult than it actually looks, especially when trying to write small. It doesn't seem to have the smoothness or flowing feel that you get from a ball point pen. I'll stick with the regular pen, thank you very much. My favorite writing tool is the fountain pen but those are rare to find nowdays. I guess that I'm just old fashioned that way.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:40 AM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 69 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27076, -76.7000237°16’15” N 76°42’0” W
A Call to Arms
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
The next place we saw was the armory. Loaded with muskets, cannon balls and gunpowder, this place looked ready for anything!
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:45 AM
⛅ 86 °F
Altitude: 69 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27075, -76.6999637°16’15” N 76°41’60” W
Lookout Duty
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
Here's the view from the lookout area on the upper level of the armory. The glass in the windows is wavy and distorted, just like in the Governor's Palace. How could anyone see through windows like this well enough to be on guard duty? Also, who were the people here guarding against? I'm guessing that it was Indians since in 1607 the American revolution was not even close to happening yet.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 11:55 AM
⛅ 86 °F
Altitude: 69 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27075, -76.6999837°16’15” N 76°41’60” W
Bang the Drum
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
A lot of these drums were in the armory, along with all the weaponry. I'm thinking that they were just in storage for when Colonial Williamsburg has parades and things. I was hoping that we would see one of the parades or the American revolution reenactments but they didn't do it while we were there. I guess that sort of thing during the crowded summer months.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 12:07 PM
⛅ 86 °F
Altitude: 82 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27158, -76.6984637°16’18” N 76°41’54” W
At the Printers
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
The book making and printing area were my favorite craftsmen to see, I think. I've always loved books so this was fascinating to me. I was asking a book binder about literacy rates at the time of Colonial Williamsburg and we enjoyed a very interesting, but long, discussion. Before I realized it, he and I were the only ones in the book binders shop. Even Kathy had wandered out, which surprised me. Like the other craftsmen, the book binder was very happy and seemed to come alive when people showed interest in their crafts. I don't know why more people don't ask them questions. They have so much information to share!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 12:16 PM
⛅ 86 °F
Altitude: 89 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.2716, -76.698537°16’18” N 76°41’55” W
The Power of the Press
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
Printing things, be it books or newspapers took so much work and time. Each page had to be set by hand with these tiny letters and, to make it worse, it all had to be done backwards so that it will show up right on the printed pages. Such tedious and time consuming work!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 12:31 PM
⛅ 86 °F
Altitude: 85 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27121, -76.6982237°16’16” N 76°41’54” W
Strolling Along the Street
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
A lot of the houses, and shops, that we saw looked very well put together and sturdy. I didn't think their buildings were quite that good but, then again, if places like the governor's palace could be put together, something like this would be very easy to construct.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 12:52 PM
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27098, -76.6973237°16’16” N 76°41’50” W
The Blacksmith
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
The blacksmith shop was something really interesting to see. Such hard and demanding work! I was very surprised to see a woman working at the blacksmith's forge. I didn't think a woman was strong enough to do something like that. I wonder if women really did that sort of work back then? It's good to see equality in action though!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 1:15 PM
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27134, -76.6964837°16’17” N 76°41’47” W
Colonial Streets
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
I'm really glad that we got the chance to visit Colonial Williamsburg. We're having a really great time and we're learning how hard life was back then. It really makes you appreciate how easy we have things now.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 1:28 PM
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.27162, -76.6962937°16’18” N 76°41’47” W
The Silversmith
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
The silver workers shop seemed to be the most realistic depiction of life in Colonial Williamsburg, at least their daily life as I imagined it to be. The jewelry and silver they were making was really for sale and everything was hand made the old fashioned way. The people working there looked as if they had stepped out of a history book, not just their clothes but their whole look and demeanor. I really liked the silversmith shop!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 1:32 PM
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.2716, -76.696337°16’18” N 76°41’47” W
Tools of the Trade
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
These are the tools of the trade for a silversmith back in the days of Colonial Williamsburg. Using these simple bits of metal, the craftsmen working here are able to turn out such beautiful works of art.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 1:48 PM
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 95 ft
United States Williamsburg Historic District 37.2713, -76.6958737°16’17” N 76°41’45” W
The Wig Master's Shop
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
The wig masters shop was a very interesting place to visit. We learned how the wigs are made, what they would have cost, and why everyone wore them back in those days. It's such a silly fashion, I think. I couldn't see anyone doing that now. Although I think many of the fashions people go in for now are just as ridiculous!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 5:48 PM UTC
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 95 ft
United States Colonial Williamsburg 37.27153, -76.6933137°16’18” N 76°41’36” W
The Government Center
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
This big building was used as the government meeting house, the courts and other official functions. We didn't spend so much time in here. By the time we made it to this building we were very hot, tired and hungry. What we saw there was interesting but we were feeling ready to move on. We saw the first part of the tour and that was enough for us.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 6:17 PM UTC
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Colonial Williamsburg 37.2708, -76.6930337°16’15” N 76°41’35” W
Fire When Ready!
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
The gun maker was one of the last craftsmen that we saw that day. All of what they made were real working guns that were made to look like the firearms used in the days of Colonial Williamsburg. Being that these are custom made guns, they were very expensive. Each of these hand made rifles are priced in the thousands of dollars. I have no idea what a gun would cost, but these are obviously targeted towards collectors.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 6:19 PM UTC
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Colonial Williamsburg 37.27081, -76.6930137°16’15” N 76°41’35” W
Creating a Gun
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
This is a part of the gun making process. Here, the barrel of the gun is balanced, straightened, and then hollowed out. Although I don't believe in owning guns, the people making these perfectly working recreations are real artisans!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 6:20 PM UTC
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Colonial Williamsburg 37.27079, -76.6930137°16’15” N 76°41’35” W
A Gun is Born
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
This is the work bench, and many of the tools that come into play, for creating a gun. I'm sure, for modern firearms, the creation process is quite different but here the craftsmen are creating old fashioned muskets that would be appropriate for the time Colonial Williamsburg is set in. Not only that, they are hand making each musket in the same way that a rifle was constructed back in those days. I don't know if I'd have the patience to do something like that, even if I did know how to build firearms. The people of Colonial Williamsburg are real artisans!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 6:22 PM UTC
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Colonial Williamsburg 37.2708, -76.6930237°16’15” N 76°41’35” W
Getting to Know Some Firearms
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
This is the first time in my life that I've ever held a gun. I'm very surprised by how heavy it is! I can honestly say that I've never had a desire to own one of these things. My weapon of choice would be a bat'leth!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 6:33 PM UTC
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Colonial Williamsburg 37.2708, -76.6930137°16’15” N 76°41’35” W
The Rifleman
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
It's a strange feeling, holding a gun in my hands. It's even a bit scary, holding it like this, as if I'm aiming at something, or somebody. I never understood the fascination and allure that a gun seems to bring out in some people. Maybe it's that feeling of danger or power that a gun gives them. I don't know. I just know that I'd never want to own one.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 3:15 PM
⛅ 90 °F
Altitude: 108 ft
United States Baldwin Memorial Garden 37.27226, -76.7067537°16’20” N 76°42’24” W
Merchant Square
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Over 40 unique stores and restaurants. Unlimited memorable experiences. At Merchants Square, you'll find so much more than you can fit in a shopping bag. Shared laughter over a delicious meal. A child dancing to a brass band. Discovering you both love foreign films. All surrounded by the picturesque beauty of 18th-century-inspired architecture and located adjacent to the Revolutionary City. Come visit and take home a memory or two today!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 3:22 PM
⛅ 90 °F
Altitude: 108 ft
United States Baldwin Memorial Garden 37.27229, -76.7068537°16’20” N 76°42’25” W
Yum!
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
After we were done seeing Colonial Williamsburg, we strolled around an outdoor shopping area made to look an old fashioned town square from around the same era as Colonial Williamsburg. We got a sweatshirt for Veronica from William & Mary College, since she likes to collect college shirts. We also got some delicious bacon seasoned peanuts and some ice cream at Baskin Robbins. It was such a great day here at Colonial Williamsburg! I'd enjoy coming back here sometime.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 8:20 PM
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: 98 ft
United States Chisel Run 37.31094, -76.7323637°18’39” N 76°43’56” W
Captain George's Seafood Buffet
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
We had dinner at Captain George Seafood Buffet, one of my all time favorite restaurants! It's nearly all seafood and all of it tastes great! I really wish that a restaurant like this existed here. I'd be there all the time! While we were there, we saw someone who looks exactly like Dennis. The person was even dressed in the same style that Dennis wears. So much so that we thought, for a moment, that it really was him! He's a very unique looking person, so seeing someone looking that much like him is strange. Both of us just had to walk past that person's table for a closer look. After dinner, we just went back to the hotel. It's been a great day!Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 8:52 PM
☁️ 79 °F
Altitude: 125 ft
United States Greensprings 37.29, -76.723737°17’24” N 76°43’25” W
Room With a View
August 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Every time we go away, I add another picture to my room with a view series. Sometimes we have a great view out of our hotel room window and sometimes it's not so good. What we see out of our window in Williamsburg is in the not so good category. The main problem with getting this shot is that the window screen was unable to be put up, causing it to be seen in the photo. This was at the Holiday Inn Williamsburg, by the way.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, August 22, 2016 at 10:25 AM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
United States Brewery Road Lake 37.23498, -76.6397337°14’6” N 76°38’23” W
Anticipation
August 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
We started off the day with our hotel's free breakfast buffet, which turned out to be a lot better than we expected it to be. They had all the breakfast standards and it was a relaxing way to start the day. We decided to go to Busch Gardens today and, from the look of this traffic, everyone else had the same idea. The traffic has been backed up for a few miles already but at least we're seeing the entrance to Busch Gardens now. I've got an idea that the parks going to be crowded.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, August 22, 2016 at 10:37 AM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
United States Brewery Road Lake 37.2349, -76.6398537°14’6” N 76°38’23” W
Parking Fees
August 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
I'm shocked not only by how expensive the parking is at Busch Gardens but by how many options there are. Who, in their right mind, would pay $35 to park the car? That's crazy! I wonder, if you are handicapped and need to park close, would they charge you the highest fee? That doesn't seem fair to me.Read more
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