York River View, Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

This is a portion of the beach and boat marina at the beautiful Riverwalk Landing on the York River just below historic Yorktown, Virginia. In the background is the Coleman Bridge which connects York County and Gloucester County.

The Griffon, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Griffon is one of the favorite thrill rides and world class rollercoasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. As it reaches the top of the 210 foot drop, it pauses for a few seconds waiting for the near 90 degree plunge.  The folks above were caught in mid-pause.

House at Jamestown Island, Williamsburg, Virginia

On the actual site of Jamestown, where the fort was built by the London Company in 1607, archaelogical work continues.  As items are found, many are displayed on site.  These photos depict reconstructions of the fort wall and frame work of buildings.  The  walls and buildings are located and foundations laid out based on the painstaking research that occurs each year.  This site is known as Historic Jamestown and is located on Jamestown Island.

Fiddling On Duke of Gloucester Street, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg hires folks to make certain that people entering the exhibits have purchased passes. In keeping with the time period, they are dressed in colonial garb and often do things their colonial counterparts would have done.  This gentleman played the fiddle as he checked visitors going to visit the blacksmith shop. The fellow in the second picture apparently had suggestions about his technique.

Lake Matoaka Amphitheater, William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Lake Matoaka Amphitheater is a unique outdoor event setting tucked into the woods on the campus of William and Mary College.  In addition to student events, there is a summer concert series held at the venue. It is another lovely setting on the William and Mary campus.

Backyard Garden, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is the backyard to one of the residences in Colonial Williamsburg. Many of the buildings not used for public display are rented to employees as living quarters; some are available for tourist rental. 

Living at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The buildings at Jamestown Settlement portray life as it was for the settlers between 1610 and 1614.  The top photo shows a room with a work area while the lower shows what happens when you leave the doors open for relief from the heat of a Virginia summer.  The chicken seemed quite comfortable in the room, which was just large enough for the two beds.

Beautiful Crepe Myrtle Trees at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia

Crepe Myrtle trees are a common sight in Williamsburg.  With their clusters of blossoms and smooth barked trunks, they are among our favorites. These trees are on the campus of the College of William and Mary.  The bottom photo shows two crepe myrtles backed by another of our favorites, a magnolia tree.

The Peanut Shop, Williamsburg, Virginia

Peanuts abound in the Williamsburg area. In fact, one of the neighboring counties has an annual "Peanut Festival."  We like to visit The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg on the edge of Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square as much to see all the ways they prepare and sell peanuts as for the treats themselves.

Colonial Gaoler, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The gaoler, along with his family, was responsible for prisoners waiting trial. His wife was expected to feed the prisoners and the children helped to clean and maintain the facility; all as part of the husband's salary.

Those housed here were normally waiting trial, whipping or other physical punishment, or to be put to death. A variety of shackles and restraining devices can be seen hanging behind him.

The gaol at Colonial Williamsburg was used in the filming of the movie "John Adams."

Powahatan Indian Yehakin, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Powhatan Indians who met the settlers at Jamestown in 1607, lived in yehakins which, along with their clothes and other household items, were made of things available in the area such as wood and animal products.  The Powhatan Village at Jamestown Settlement is a reproduction of those villages complete with costumed interpreters. 

The Courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is the interior of the colonial courthouse, located in the center of Colonial Williamsburg. In colonial times, the Declaration of Independence was read and the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War was announced to the citizens from its steps.

The header to our blog is the exterior of the courthouse.

Carousel Garden at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

Amidst the world class roller coasters and thrill rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is an old-fashioned carousel complete with brightly colored horses, lights, and brass accents. One of the many beautiful garden areas in the park wraps around the carousel. The park has been named the most beautiful amusement park twenty consecutive years. The attention to detail and the beauty of the park is one of the many reasons we enjoy going back again and again.

Riverwalk Landing Restaurant and Stars and Stripes Forever Shop, Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

These two wonderful businesses are side-by-side at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, Virginia and much enjoyed by all.  "Stars and Stripes Forever" has everything patriotic and political that you can imagine.  The "Riverwalk Restaurant" provides great food and a wonderful view of the river.  These are just two reasons that Riverwalk Landing is one of our favorite places.

Eagle, Jack Hannah Reserve, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens has a long history of wildlife conservation at its Williamsburg and Tampa locations.  Here, one of the eagles in the Jack Hanna Wild Reserve in Williamsburg posed ever so nicely.  The eagles on Eagle Ridge are all injured and, therefore, unable to fend for themselves in the wild. They are provided a very nice living environment and provide an exciting up close experience to kids of all ages..

Jamestown Armor, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

When the settlers came to Jamestown for the Virginia Company of London in 1607, among the items they brought with them were various pieces of armor. Given the lack of guns and cannon among the indians, these were considered ample protection.  At Jamestown Settlement, visitors are free to try on the armor.  On a very hot or very cold day, the metal helmet is even more uncomfortable than ususal.

Napping Boy at Mathew Whaley School, WIlliamsburg, Virginia

This statue of a young boy napping beneath his reading material is at the entrace of the historic Matthew Whaley Elementary School in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Bear Photographer, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

We spied this large bear statue in the New France area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  We thought all of our photography friends out there in the blog world would enjoy him. Perhaps, he has a photo blog too.  : )

The Williamsburg Pottery, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Williamsburg Pottery, located just outside Williamsburg in Lightfoot, Virginia, has been a draw to visitors since 1938. It originally made eighteenth-century saltglaze pottery reproductions to sell at low prices. As time passed, china and glassware were added to the inventory.  Now the pottery sells unique items for home and garden from around the world at discount prices throughout the facility and continues to draw large crowds each year.

Cabinet Maker Shop, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The cabinet maker in colonial times fashioned fine furniture for those who could afford it. He tested and seasoned wood to see how it would react to the cold of winter and the humidity of a Virginia summer. Wood that warped or bent was of no use and would no longer be purchased.

He made chairs, tables, and desks, often taking hundreds of hours to finish one project. Fine wood was used for the visible surfaces to provide a clean and polished look while lesser woods became the bottoms of desk drawers and other less celebrated parts.

Interestingly, his shop straddles a stream that runs through town. Look carefully at the second photo and you can see how the foundation is set to lift the wing nearest the flag over the stream.

Go-Karts Plus, Williamsburg, Virginia

Go-Karts Plus is a family entertainment center just outside Williamsburg with multiple race tracks for go karts, bumper cars, boat rides, an arcade and rides. It's a lot of fun for kids of all ages.

One Very Large Chair at The Farm House in Toano, Virginia

Just down the road from Williamsburg, in Toano, is The Farm House, where we do our adirondack chair shopping. We thought you would enjoy a little of their advertising, which leaves no doubt about what they sell.  : )

World's Largest Living Cuckoo Clock in Octoberfest, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

The IllumiNights program at Busch Gardens Williamsburg features what they claim to be the world's largest living cuckoo clock at more than 50 feet tall. Now through August 22, at the top of the hour (5-9pm) when the clock strikes, a live woodsman, milkmaid, ompah band, goatherd and a not so live, but cute giant chicken all take part in the mechanics.  It is a very amusing show which draws large crowds. This is one of several shows throughout the park each evening as a part of IllumiNights.
Fireworks will light up the park each night as a finale to brand new dramas, parades, and shows in the France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland areas of the park. Don't forget, this weekend is also the start of the IlluminNights Summer Concert Series with the B-52's, and with more bands each weekend throughout the summer. The shows and fireworks are spectacular and the concerts are always great.