Summer Breeze Concert Series, Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Summer Breeze Concert Series presents a new band each Wednesday evening in July and August. The Kings of Swing and B2B Band have already performed with Sharon Rae North and Slapwater rounding out July. The United States Air Force sends its Rhythm In Blue Jazz Ensemble, Heritage Ramblers, Blue Aces, and Heritage Of America Concert Band to provide the entertainment on successive Wednesdays in August.  Concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. at Merchants Square and are free. We plan on catching one or more of these.

Water Fun In The Sun, Williamsburg, Virginia

These jet skiers and pontoon boaters were part of the entertainment at our recent picnic on the Powhatan Creek, a tributary of the James River.

Unusual Shopping At Colonial Williamburg, Virginia

Pewter musket balls are not every day fare in most stores; however, not so in Colonial Williamsburg

Garden View Of Bruton Parish Church, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This photo of one corner of the Nursery garden in Colonial Williamsburg is backed by historic Bruton Parish Church.

Victory Monument, Yorktown, Virginia

The Victory Monument in Yorktown stands high on a bluff with its back to the York River, welcoming visitors to the battlefield and historic Yorktown.  Click here for additional photos.

Live Oak, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This large, old live oak tree stands behind the courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg and provides shade for horses and people in the summer heat, like yesterday when it was about 100 F. There are several long benches under it that provide a great place to snack or watch one of the fife and drum or military presentations regularly presented here. To give you an idea of the size of the tree, the man with the child is about six feet tall.

Cannon At Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

This cannon replica sits on the riverside walkway at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, Virginia to commemorate the battle that led to Cornwallis' surrender to Washington during the Revolutionary War.  The morning sun was rising over the Kalmar Nyckel and the Alliance as the photo was taken.

Williamsburg Transportation Center, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Williamsburg Transportation Center serves as the train station, Greyhound bus and local bus center.  In addition to Amtrak trains, it sees its fair share of freight trains, as pictured, going to and from the port in Norfolk.

Topiaries At Yorktown Farmers Market, Yorktown, Virginia

We saw these wire art topiaries at the Yorktown Riverwalk Landing Farmers Market at the Gardens and Accessories by Teresa booth.  They were quite interesting and she seems to be able to make one look like just about anything.

Macaroni Prints At The Greenhow Store, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

We went through the Greenhow store in Colonial Williamsburg when family visited recently and saw these "Macaroni" prints.  To be a macaroni was an insult which is why and how the term is used in the song "Yankee Doodle."

One website uses this quote from the book Georgiana by Amanda Foreman to explain the term, as follows:

‘The term ‘macaroni’ was coined to describe the fashionable young fops of the 1770s. The term probably originated in the 1760s when members of the short lived Macaroni club brought attention to themselves by their prediliction for all things foreign, especially food. Macaronis were much criticised in the press. The Oxford Magazine complained: “There is indeed a kind of animal, neither male, nor female, a thing of neuter gender, lately started up among us. It is called a Macaroni. It talks without meaning, it smiles without pleasure, it eats without appetite, it rides without exercise, it wenches without passion.”‘

There seems to a macaroni print available many members of society.

Yoga On The Beach, Yorktown, Virginia

These folks were going through their yoga routines on the beach at Yorktown.  If you feel the need to yoga, the beach is probably the best place.

This Is Oktoberfest At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens Williamsburg presents a variety of shows on a daily basis. In the Festhaus in the Germany area, they present "This Is Oktoberfest."  It includes dancers, singers and a band, in dirndls and lederhosen, performing traditional German music on the round stage in the middle of the hall. As visitors eat brats and their favorite beverage, they can watch and participate in some of the festivities.

Yorktown Pub, Yorktown, Virginia

The Yorktown Pub is one of our favorite places to eat when we go to Yorktown to visit the beach, Riverwalk Landing, Historic Yorktown, or the battlefield. Though not fancy outside, the food is great and along with a cold beverage provides a nice respite from the sun on the beach, which is just across the street where we stood to take this photo.

New Addition To The Visitor Center, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center, the starting place for your journey into colonial life, has added a cafe to its amenities. In addition to buying your admission pass to the museums, you can catch the bus or begin a walk to the historic district, shop and now, grab a snack - all before you see the main attraction.  You should also watch the movie, "Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot," starring Jack Lord of Hawaii Five-O fame, which introduces you to the history of the area. It is the longest running movie in American cinema history having been shown since 1957.   Click here for a brief clip.

Unique Tree Growth, Yorktown, Virginia

Along the moss covered brick fence of the Grace Episcopal Church in Historic Yorktown, we spotted this incredibly odd tree growth; the tree is firmly rooted on both sides of the fence.  Apparently it was growing inside the fence but eventually managed to grow over and around it. We have never seen this before but thought it was worth sharing.

Happy Fourth of July From Williamsburg, Virginia

Happy Fourth of July from Colonial Williamsburg!

This patriotic display, featuring fife and drum, is in one of the shops operated by Colonial Williamsburg and seemed very apropos for the day.

Great Blue Heron On The York River, Yorktown, Virginia

This Great Blue Heron entertained us as it searched for breakfast in the waters along a rock jetty in the York River. He is about four feet tall with a wingspan of roughly 70 inches.

Beautiful Details, Yorktown, Virginia

Yorktown's historic area and Riverwalk Landing are home to beautiful buildings, vistas and water scenes. They also pay close attention to little details that add to the ambience, such as this lamppost with its wrought iron flower basket, duplicates of which are found throughout the area.

Kids, Carriage and Kodak Moments In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

We don't normally interfere with tourists' Kodak moments, but this Colonial Williamsburg moment was too good to pass up. Three beaming little girls in colonial garb happily including their infant sibling in the shot. And, they managed to get the fancy carriage all to themselves.  

Shearing The Sheep At Busch Gardens, Williamsburg Virginia

Busch Gardens Williamsburg keep black-faced Scottish sheep at the Highland Stables. They were being sheared the day we were there so we got a great before and after shot.

Rustic Touches In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

With all the color, carriages and costumes in Colonial Williamsburg, it is easy to overlook the minute details and rustic touches  that show the research and care given in recreating this colonial time capsule. The rooster weather vane and the wooden garden trellis made entirely of small branches on which vegetables will be anchored are examples. Despite the number of times we have walked the streets of the historic district, we always manage to find something new.

Treats For Kids From Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Even modern colonial kids need brightly colored toys and these offerings from Colonial Williamsburg are a perfect fit. The jump rope has a colonial boy and girl for handles and the drums are the perfect size for kids of all ages.  Red, white and blue are the dominant colors; hmm maybe there's a pattern there.

IllumiNights Returns To Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

The IllumiNights spectacular returns to Busch Gardens Williamsburg tonight and runs through August 21. Each night special shows will run in each country topped off by a fantastic "Tour De Force" fireworks display.  It was a blast last year and we are looking forward to taking it all in again this season.

Click here and  here to see additional photos of IllumiNights.

The Kalmar Nyckel Returns To Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

The Kalmar Nyckel made a return visit to Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing on its way to Norfolk for its annual tall ship extravaganza.  Click here to see more photos and get additional information on this spectacular ship.

Mix It Up At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens Williamsburg's new show, "Mix It Up," is a great mix of humor and exceptional music presented by an energetic crew of bakers and waiters.  The music covers the spectrum from "Mambo Italiano" to food commercial jingles and includes the delivery of the over sized special order in the last photo. It is presented in an open air theater where you can enjoy great Italian food along with the show.