York River Charters, Yorktown, Virginia

We spotted this boat anchored just outside the boundary of the swimming area at the Yorktown Beach at Riverwalk Landing.  What a great way to advertise.

More Oktoberfest Decorations In Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

The new Oktoberfest area in Germany at Busch Gardens Williamsburg features a large, colorful mural on one of the buildings and a beer wagon full of kegs with several openings for guests to look through to pose for photos.

Leather In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

In colonial times, without synthetics, everything was made of natural materials which were readily available. As the photos show, round flasks, powder shot flasks, leather bottles (above) and fire buckets (below) were just some of the items made from leather for everyday use. Leather from different animals was selected for use depending on the item to be made and how and where it would be used. Click here for more information. These photos are from the Greenhow store in Colonial Williamsburg.

A Peek At Cooke's Bluff, Yorktown Virginia

Perched on the edge of the heights overlooking Yorktown Beach and Riverwalk Landing, we discovered a beautiful private residence named, "Cooke's Bluff." It sits at the top of stairs leading from the homes above the beach area. It's gate and yard drew us as we sat on the bench at the top of the stairs and marveled at the view of the York River and beach below.

Colonial Gardening, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A variety of beautiful and functional colonial era garden items are sold in Colonial Williamsburg, from bell jars and cloches to bird bottles. As the second shot shows, the clay bird bottles are very popular.

Yorktown Market Days At Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

Yorktown holds an open air market each Saturday at Riverwalk Landing. It features many vendors selling a variety of products from local produce to the artwork of Michael Kravchak. Along with live music and the sights and smells, there is the added beauty of Riverwalk Landing, the beach, and riverfront. We also manged to get in a long stroll through historic Yorktown.

Summer Caroling In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

One of our wonderful  unique shops at Merchants Square offered for sale these colonial dolls and the folk art print of Williamsburg in colonial times. The display made it look like the dolls were outside of town on their way to some Christmas merriment. 

Jamestown Beach Park, Williamsburg, Virginia

This newly renovated public beach along the James River near the Jamestown Settlement recently opened. It provides a large beach area backed by a well shaded wooded area with picnic tables and grills so you can get out of the sun and grab a snack. The depth of the water for swimming is dependent on the tide.

Boot and Shoemaker In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The shoemaker in Colonial Williamsburg works diligently in his shop while his wares are displayed in the open window.  He makes shoes in the traditional way using materials, tools and methods of the colonial era. The first shoemaker arrived in Virginia in 1610.

A Giraffe In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This unique giraffe draws attention to the "flax" items available for sale at Quilts Unlimited at Merchants Square adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg.  He's hard to miss and does make you wonder what's inside.  They have some very unique items. including colonial period costumes, like the one shown in the second photo.

Bonnets Galore, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Nothing keeps the warm Virginia sun off the face of a little girl better than a traditional colonial bonnet trimmed with brightly colored ribbon.  This merchant tent near the courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg was well stocked on a recent sunny day.

Antique Auto Show, Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colony Auto Enthusiasts put on its 3rd annual car show at Merchants Square on Sunday for the benefit of the "Meal On Wheels" program.  It included a number of vintage antique and sports cars. We are sharing (from top to bottom) the 1937 Rolls Royce; David Pearson's "21" Mercury; a 1952 Bentley Mark VI; a 1953 MG TD; and, a 1986 Morgan Plus 8.

David Pearson is a NASCAR hall of famer who won Rookie of the Year in 1960 and several championships in the 60's.

The Meals On Wheels program provides hot lunches to people who are unable to provide for themselves for any number of reasons.  It was a great event for a great cause.

Handsome Horsey, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

In the heat of a summer day, this handsome guy gets a well deserved break from his carriage pulling duties. Maybe he's daydreaming of green pastures behind those blinders.

Harris' Hawk, Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

This Harris' Hawk is one of the beautiful animals on display at Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve.  It is native to the deserts in the south west of North America and is the only social hawk.  They hunt in packs and females build and share one nest in which they hatch and raise their young together.

OktoberFest Bier Garden, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens built this new beer garden and pretzel area adjacent to the new Mach Tower ride which should open soon (we hope).  Its outdoor dining area should provide a great view as Mach Tower riders drop from the top of the 240 foot tower.

Maypole Dancing At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has transformed its Germany area this year with the addition of this Maypole and dancers in traditional garb as a compliment to the Mach Tower and Beer Garden.

Hazy Hedges in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

At the rear of the Roscoe Cole House in Colonial Williamsburg, we noticed a haze on almost all of the hedges. Upon closer inspection, we found they were covered with spider webs.

Paragliding At Yorktown, Virginia

This paraglider soars over the beach at Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing on a sunny afternoon.

Fat Canary At Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

The "Fat Canary" restaurant at Merchants Square is a four star restaurant on Duke of Gloucester Street across the street from the Trellis Restaurant. According to their website, the name is taken from the works of a colonial playwright wishing for a "bowl of fat canary" which is a reference to wine or "canary" as it was known when included in the supplies picked up in the Canary Islands.

Mach Tower At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Willamsburg, Virginia

The new Mach Tower ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is up but not yet running. It is set to open later this spring. It is a drop tower 240 feet tall on which riders will be taken to the top in an open air carriage then allowed to plummet back to earth.

Lunch Time At The King's Arms, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The staff at the King's Arms Tavern prepare to greet hungry tourists on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

Sunset On The Beach, Yorktown, Virginia

As the sun set on Yorktown Beach, this father and child sat at the edge of beach taking in the scenery.

Return Of The Yorktown Onion, Yorktown, Virginia

It is the season for the return of the Yorktown Onion; a tall, gangly, yet strangely appealing wild plant, about three feet tall with a three inch purple head which, in the U.S., is apparently native only to York County, Virginia. It is so much a part of local heritage that one of the gift shops at Riverwalk Landing is named after the plant. Obviously, bees like them as much as we do.

For additional photos and information on the Yorktown Onion click here

Wardrobe Worries, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Even colonials seem to have wardrobe issues as this lady discretely adjusted one of the many layers of her costume outside the view of tourists (except for our camera of course) at the stairs of the Kings Arm Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg.