Virgina 2014

August 5, 2014

Left Williamsburg, VA around 7:30, fueled the coach and then hit the road for DC.  We arrived at the Elks lodge in Fairfax, VA (just across the river from DC) around 11:00.    Had a few spots with traffic that slowed us down, smooth drive otherwise, except I hate driving thru these big cities!!!

Got settled in and then we went to the Kaiser Hospital about 10 miles away so I could get my blood work done for my kidney Dr in Portland.   Had to get the paper work faxed, so it took a little longer but got home around 2. 

Did odds and ends and then headed to the Elks to sign in around 4.   We got back around 5:00 and will watch TV the rest of the evening.   

Tomorrow we’ll take the metro into DC…wish us luck!!!

August 4, 2014

John Smith

 Last day in Williamsburg, so we decided to see Historic Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg.   We stop for breakfast at the Old Mill Restaurant and we‘re reminded that Virginia is the birthplace of America and has had 8 presidents come from this state (Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Taylor & Wilson).  There’s way to much to see in 3 days so someday we’ll have to return to see the rest.

First stop was Jamestown, here is where the first settlement in America occurred in 1607.   You learn why they chose this site, about the way these people lived, how they suffered from starvation during the winter of 1609-10 (the population went from 300 to 60…they even became cannibals), how they learned to grow tobacco (John Rolfe helped cultivate it) to make money, how the wars affected them and of course we learn about the individuals themselves.   For example: John Smith, Nathaniel Bacon (lead battle that burnt the fort in 1698), John Rolfe (married to Pocahontas), & Pocahontas, were just a few that helped make this site the capital of America.

While at this site, we walked around both old and new towne.  Old town is where the original fort was built and new town is where they expanded the fort into more of a city.  The only original building still standing is the church tower; the church is actual dated 1907.  

Church at Jamestowne

Blowing glass

They have a group of archeologists digging up the fort and surrounding areas in search of artifacts, etc.   They’ve been digging for over 20 years and have found over a million artifacts, of which many are on display at the Archaearium near the fort.   In there they have human remains, pottery, knives, nails, buttons, animals, etc.  Very interesting!!!

Next we took the driving tour; you drive around the Jamestown island that occupies the fort.   You read plaques but don’t really see anything.

We then drove to the glasses building.   Here they make the famous Williamsburg blow glass.   It’s beautiful and we really enjoyed seeing the creations that created.  Did not buy anything, just don’t have the place to keep this kind of stuff…even though I really wanted one of the vases.

Colonial Williamsburg

Nearby is Jamestown settlement, we stopped but it more of an amusement park so we did not go in. 

Capital Bldg at Colonial Williamsburg

Forgot to mention, that while driving up to Williamsburg the other day we saw a black bear in the opposite lanes.   Looked like a car had hit him, hopefully he was just stunned.  While visiting the National Parks, we see lots of wildlife, in particular deer and bald eagles.

Next we drove to Colonial Williamsburg, here it’s a recreation of the town once it became the capital after the fort was burnt in 1698.   We walked up and down the main street, looking in some of the shops, etc.    

It’s hot and I’m tired, so we head home around 2:30.  Got home and decided to cool off by going swimming, so relaxing after walking 6 miles.

August 3, 2014

Battle at Yorktown

Today is a history lesson for us, as we visit the Yorktown Battlefield.   The war between America and the British has been going on for seven years, when the battle of Yorktown occurs.  It’s said that this battle is what won Independence for America, even though the actual war does not end until Sept of 1783.   Of course we would not have won without the help from the French. 

Moore House

General Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington at this site on Oct 18, 1781 and the meeting to negotiate the surrender occurs at the Moore home, which we toured.  The actual surrender took place on the 19^th, at a field about a mile from the house.   You learn that many famous names are associated with this battle:  George Washington, Alexander Hamilton & Lord Cornwallis (British) just to name a few, Hamilton is the same person that you see on the $10 bill today.

National Park Visitors Center

While at the National Park visitors center we watched a movie, describing the events that lead up to the surrender.  We then took a guided tour of the battlefield and learned more of the details.  Next we hopped on a trolley and toured Yorktown, which is located on the York River.  We got off the trolley at the river walk to walk around and have lunch.  We also learned that the George P Coleman bridge that crosses the York River at this site, it's one of two double span bridges in the world and the only one in the USA.  It has two 500' spans that swing clockwise to all the large commercial ships to pass thru.

Victory Memorial

Then we took the auto driving tour to learn even more about the battle.   On this tour we visited the Virginia National Cemetery where over 2,000 soldiers are buried from this war.  Of the 2,000 only 1/3 have names on their stones, the others are unknown…sad! 

George P Coleman Bridge

After all this information, we now are experts on the Yorktown battle!   Only in my dreams…lol.

The Williamsburg Pottery factory is close to the Rv park, so we stopped to walk around, bought some items for our golf tournament in Havasu.   This facility has 4 large buildings, it’s about a mile up and down.  We got our miles in for the day!!!

 

August 2, 2014

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Atlantic Inter-coastal water way

Left Avon, NC around 8 AM and arrived at Williamsburg, VA around 1 PM.  Uneventful drive, scenery was great in spots but for majority, it was just driving thru small towns until we got near Norfolk.   We traveled the 664 hwy and got to drive thru the tunnel that goes under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  Bobby loved it!  It’s considered one of the seven engineering wonders of the world.   The drive to it gives you the opportunity to see Chesapeake Bay and some of the many ships that utilize this bay.

We are staying at Williamsburg Outdoor World RV Park (another Encore park), in Williamsburg, VA.   This one is a first come park but we found a site near the office that is excellent.   This park has lots and I mean lots, of trees.  It’s beautiful but hopefully no major storm comes in and takes out these trees!   The first spot we picked, they had to trim many branches just so we would not scrape but luckily someone on another row left and we got their spot, much nicer.

Bldg near the bridge...just liked it

Entering the tunnel

Once we had lunch, Bobby went to do the laundry and I went to Walmart.   On the way home, I saw Williamsburg Pottery company sign so went to investigate!   Their pottery is known worldwide.  They had several pieces which I may go back and purchase, however they were having a Christmas in July sale and I picked up a few things for Christmas!

Tomorrow we’ll see Jamestown, Yorktown, Etc.