Navigating History, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

History continues to teach modern folk as this costumed colonial shows visitors how to navigate the historic district using the handy maps detailing all the exhibits and events scheduled each day. The Colonial Williamsburg employess are incredibly helpful and pleasant event when the temps hit 100 F, like today.

Prince Elmo's Spire, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

The grown ups at Busch Gardens may have Mach Tower, but the little guys have Prince Elmo's Spire at Sesame Street Forest of Fun.  Not only is it a drop tower, but it's got a a giant Elmo head on top; who could ask for anything more?

Fife and Drums, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

One of the most popular events in Colonial Williamsburg is the parade by one of the fife and drum units. This group marches passed the Magazine.

Beating The Heat, Williamsburg, Virginia

These geese found a way to beat the heat while enjoying a snack. This small pond, complete with fountain provides a great stop on their migratory path.

Powhatan Plantation, Williamsburg, Virginia

This it the Powhatan Plantation house  which was built in 1735. It has been beautifully restored and is the center piece of a resort/time share development outside of Williamsburg. A variety of colonial era events are held in the manor house.

Wise Old Owl, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

This owl garnered a lot of attention from passersby at Busch Gardens Williamsburg but did not seem to care at all.  He simply looked at every squirrel and bird that came within range.  He looked good doing it though.

The World In 1607, Jamestown Island, Virginia

This map is part of the gallery at Jamestown Island. Clearly they had a different understanding of the geography of the "The Atlantic World" than we do now.

Casual Conversation In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

These costumed colonials chatted between assisting tourists at their posts at adjoining historical exhibits.

Verbolten, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

Verbolten, the newest ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, is a fast paced auto tour through the Black Forest. It starts outside, moves inside a building where you twist and turn in the dark, and finishes with a big sweeping turn to the end of the ride.

Dodging Traffic Colonial Style, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

  

These ladies dodged horse drawn carriages while crossing Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg. While traffic may not move as quickly, the horses do leave extra obstacles on the street for pedestrians to dodge.

Masterworks At The Museum, Williamsburg, Virginia

This exhibit greets visitors entering the Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Colonial Williamsburg. They share a building and present thousands of fabulous exhibits that periodically rotate so that you need and want to go back again and again.

New Clydesdale Colt At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

Aidan, the new Clydesdale colt at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, recently made his public debut in the Highland Stable. His delivery by the stork was heralded (see the sign) in the park. He and his mother comfortably nibble despite the throng of people gawking. He is two months old.

Walking The D.O.G., Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This couple had a  unique dog walking adventure on Duke of Gloucester Street - locally referred to by its acronym "D.O.G" - with one walking and the other appearing to navigate as he rode. Many people use the one mile stretch of road to walk or jog as there is no vehicle traffic.

The Patriarch, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

We noticed this town patriarch wandering through the historic district speaking with other costumed characters in Colonial Williamsburg. He looks so much like a founding father we thought he was a great post for Father's Day.

Happy Father's Day!

Governor's Palace Garden Wall, Colonial Williamsburg

Within the walls surrounding the 63 acres of the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg are many fascinating places. This interior wall separates the outer garden from the  decorative garden immediately adjacent to palace.  The walls are as beautiful as the gardens.                                                                                                                                                  

Town Crier, Yorktown, Virginia

The town crier alerted everyone at the farmers' market of upcoming entertainment.  We are not certain if the bell or his festive attire drew more attention.

Royal Welch Fusiliers Redoubt, Yorktown, Virginia

 The Royal Welch Fusiliers Redoubt is a large, star shaped earthen fort high above the York River. The redoubt was made by digging a deep trench and creating a mound with spiked poles. It prevented attacks on the troops hidden behind the embankments and had only one small entryway. From this location cannon fire could be directed at passing boats.

The Royal Welch Fusiliers successfully repelled French efforts to take the position until the British surrendered.

Yard Work In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This backyard is a work in progress with a pile of clippings and old plants in the foreground. The outbuilding makes a perfect backdrop to a swell-sculpted tree. Shaped and specially pruned trees and bushes are a common occurrence in colonial gardens.

Seafarers At The Waterman's Museum, Yorktown, Virginia

At a recent event at the Waterman's Museum in Yorktown the participants dressed in maritime garb. The first photo shows a blacksmith hammering while his assistant pumps the bellows. In the others, the lady did needlepoint while her friend shouted instructions to workers on the beach.

James Fort Burial Secrets, Jamestown, Virginia

 Excavations at Jamestown Island inside James Fort revealed a number of graves under the remnants of building constructed in 1611.  The settlers were fearful of the Virginia Indians and, in the early years, were directed to hide the sick and bury their dead inside the fort to conceal how many or few of them were there. Of the original 104 who arrived in 1607 only 38 survived. The second photo is a list of some of the recorded deaths. In the background, tarps cover ongoing excavations.

Tails In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Everyone seems to have a "tail" in Colonial Williamsburg, from fifers to gentlemen. Quite the fashion statement.

A Proper Colonial Garden, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This portion of a garden in Colonial Williamsburg, complete with large wooden water barrels, seems quite proper for the capital city of the largest English colony in the 1770's.

Liberty Enlightening The World, Williamsburg Virginia

This weather vane is part of the display at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.

The Iron Gate, Yorktown, Virginia

This garden gate in Yorktown opens to an inviting shaded sitting area as long as you don't mind the graveyard on the other side of the fence.

An Officer And A Lady, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This well-dressed officer and his lady friend enjoyed some casual conversation with some guys resting on the bench on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg. The discussion turned to military plans and his next station; an apparent occupational hazard.  The lady graciously picked up the conversation so he could pose for the photo.

Sun Watching With NASA, Yorktown, Virginia

Some folks from the local NASA facility came to the Farmer's Market at Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing to set up their incredible telescopes with all the appropriate filters to allow direct observations of the sun. Through one, you could see solar flares and through another sun spots and much more.  They graciously shared their equipment and explained the science of what was viewed.

The Hitching Post At Greenhow Store, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

In the waning hours of the day, the sun casts long shadows and calm and quiet begin to settle on the bustling colonial capital of Virginia.  The barrels and crates used to hold goods for shipping and storage line the stairs and the wooden bucket that offers the carriage horses a cool drink between their appointed rounds sits idly under a tree near the unoccupied hitching post

In a rare moment, we were able to photograph the Greenhow Store on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg without horse nor human with which to contend.

Tall Ship Lynx At Yorktown, Virginia

This weekend is Maritime Weekend at Yorktown at which a variety of ships were featured. This is the Lynx;   a representation of a War of 1812 Baltimore Clipper. She has a sparred length of 122 feet and the mast
(the top photo) is 94 feet. It is fast, maneuverable and well-armed.  It was a great ship to run blockades or privateer in..

James Fort, Jamestown Island, Virginia

The Union Jack flies over the wooden palisades of the representation of James Fort on its original site on Jamestown Island.  Behind these walls, exhibits and archaeological digs greet visitors.

 Just down the road at Jamestown Settlement  is a fully recreated James Fort, complete with buildings, artisans, replica boats, and military exhibitions, giving the unique ability to see the real site, pictured above, in its skeletal stage and the fully functional recreated fort in the same day.

Chowning Tavern Patio, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The patio behind Chownings Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg is covered by vines on an overhead framework. The foliage gets quite heavy and provides a shady respite from the summer sun on all but the hottest of days. The colonial style food is fantastic and is happily interrupted from time to time by costumed entertainers..