Let The Summer Fun Begin, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

 



This is a re-post of one of our favorite photos. Colonial Williamsburg's costumed employees interact with children of all ages, creating a delightful experience for visitors. We happened to capture this particular event.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, Williamsburg, Virginia

The boats of the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry move vehicles over the James River around the clock at no charge.  It is a great respite on any trip and kids love it.

Water Street Grille, Yorktown, Virginia

The Water Street Grille is a new destination at Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing, with indoor and patio seating right on the York River.

Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

 

The Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg was the location of heated debate and legislation crafted by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Peyton Randolph. The building is beautiful, inside and out.

Ships Ahoy! Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement offers tours of these replicas of the Godspeed, Susan Constant and Discovery; the ships that carried Captain John Smith and the other settlers to Virginia in 1607 to establish the first permanent English settlement in America.  It also features a beautiful gallery and Native American village.

The Little Drummer, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This little drummer was ready for action at the recent Drummer's Call event in Colonial Williamsburg. His dad gave us permission to take his photo for the blog as he watched the performers, anxious to be old enough to participate.

Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all who served.

The Picnic, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

A picnic on a warm day makes for a great double date; even in 1774.

Wild Flowers, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

Warm days, cool nights, and Spring showers caused a bumper crop of flowers.

Schooner Virginia, Yorktown, Virginia

 

The Virginia, a recreation of the last all-sail schooner built for the Virginia Pilot Association, made a brief stop at Yorktown. She has a 126 foot sparred length and a 24 foot beam. The Virginia takes up to 46 passengers on a day sail.

Top Hats And Tunes. Drummer's Call, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Not all of the participants at Drummer's Call presented in military attire. These folks were quite a contrast to the other units.

U.S. Army Old Guard Fife And Drum Corps, Drummer's Call, Colonial Wiliamsburg, Virginia

The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is the only unit of its kind in the military. It also includes buglers to accompany the fifes and drums. The precision and musical quality is superb. We also liked the powdered wigs and the drum major's furry hat.

William Diamond Junior Fife And Drum Corps At Drummer's Call, Williamsburg Virginia

Some of the groups that appeared at Drummer's Call in Colonial Williamsburg included very young members. The William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps from Massachusetts included musicians from eight to eighteen. Regardless of their youth, they were great.

Central York Fife And Drum Corps, Drummer's Call, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The Central York Middle School Fife and Drums from York, Pennsylvania put on a great demonstration of era music during its performance at Colonial Williamsburg's Drummer's Call.

Drummer's Call Spectacular, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg's Fife and Drum Corps (pictured) hosted fourteen other corps from the United States and Canada in its annual Drummer's Call weekend.  In honor of Armed Forces Day, the groups marched from the Capitol down Duke of Gloucester Street to the courthouse parade grounds followed by throngs of visitors. While we tend to favor our local corps from Williamsburg and Yorktown, everyone was fantastic. We had an delightful day. 

More activities are planned through the weekend  We will feature a number of photos of the event in upcoming posts.

Fifes And Drums, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

 

This is a shot we took a few years ago of the daily fife and drum presentation at Colonial Williamsburg. We are looking forward to the Drummers' Call this weekend in which a number of the best corps will present Revolutionary War era military music. We hope to get some great shots. Click here for more information.

Colonial Time Out, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Children of all ages need discipline, even on vacation. The colonials had a foolproof method of discipline.

Eco Discovery Park, Williamsburg, Virginia

Eco Discovery Park provides eco friendly tourist adventures in the Williamsburg area, renting bikes and kayaks along with eco-education.  Click here for more info.

One Man Band, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

 

Occasionally, Colonial Williamsburg provides street musicians to provide a little open air colonial entertainment to tourists. This gentleman mastered two instruments at once.

Kayaking The Burg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg is well known for its historical attractions and amusement parks. We are also a thriving recreational destination with hiking, biking and a number of watersports, like kayaking.

Gaggle Walking, Williamsburg, Virginia

Everyone enjoys a walk on a warm afternoon, even this gaggle of geese. Because of the number of local waterways on and around our peninsula, we have many waterfowl to entertain us.

Irises On The Island, Jamestown Island, Williamsburg, Virginia

Beautiful irises sprout among the footprint of what was Jamestown in the 1600's.  They make a beautiful Mother's Day bouquet.

Happy Mother's Day!

Shades of Green, Williamsburg, Virginia

This marsh on Jamestown Island is awash in greens sprouting from the tidal waters.

Red Lion Tavern Tree, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This beautiful tree shades much of the Red Lion Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

Doe A Deer, Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg, Virginia

This deer mingled and munched with some friends along the Colonial Parkway in Williamsburg, Virginia. When finished, they jumped over or stepped through the fence and went on their way.

Pocahontas Statue, Jamestown Island, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

This statue of Pocahontas, also known as Matoaka, is a popular photo spot. Visitors to Jamestown Island hold her hands while they pose, as the shiny brass shows. Pocahontas married John Rolfe and traveled to England, where she died. She is buried a St. George's Church, Gravesend, England. The Governor of Virginia presented a reproduction of this statue to the church in 1958. Recently, the marriage of Pocahontas and Rolfe was reenacted at Jamestown Island.

Time Is Right, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

The time is right for summer fun at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as this colorful clock with its giant cow bell ringer shows.

1607 Character, Historic Jamestowne, Virginia

We passed this costumed interpreter wondering near Historic Jamestown, the site of the original settlement and fort.

Nesting Osprey, Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg, Virginia

In a large, dead tree along the James River and the Colonial Parkway, we saw this pair of osprey working on their nest. We saw one leave the nest and return a few minutes later with new material in its talons, capturing this shot as he landed. It was fascinating to watch.

Bruton Parish Cemetery, Williamsburg, Virginia

Bruton Parish Church is surrounded by a walled courtyard and cemetery with headstones dating back several hundred years.

Evening Drill, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

 

Military drills for young soldiers often extend well into the night. An ample and colonial light source is required.

Bonnets Galore, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

 

 

Bonnets with bright ribbons are favorites at the market in Colonial Williamsburg.