Rhine River Cruise, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Rhine River Cruise ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a peaceful respite from the coasters but does provide and interesting look at the intersection of several of the big one as you return to port.

Felicity and Friend at Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Many little girls tour Colonial Williamsburg with their Felicity of Williamsburg dolls.  This American Girl Doll favorite is the star of historical fiction books focusing on her life growing up in Williamsburg during colonial times.

The first photo is a young visitor from last week.  The second photo is of our daughter  and her Felicity doll fifteen years ago during a vacation when we were dreaming of living here. 

Ivy Covered Patio in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This ivy covered patio is at the rear of the Wythe House in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.  Besides being beautiful, it provides an incredible shelter from the summer heat and a beautiful view of backyard and house.

Swan Tavern Antiques, Yorktown, Virginia

Swan Tavern Antiques is an incredible shop in historic Yorktown, Virginia, that showcases some really interesting pieces.  It's a fun place to wander through even if you are just window shopping. 

The ten room building has the traditional clapboard siding, shutters, and wooden shingles common to the time period.

Little Lamb at Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This lamb struck a "look at me" pose while we were looking over his pasture mates outside Bassett Hall in Colonial Williamsburg.   He showed the most interest in us, so we reciprocated.

Yorktown Shoppe, Yorktown, Virginia

The Yorktown Shoppe has some really interesting time period items ranging from old world balance toys to clothing, paintings, and Santas.  We really like playing with the toys in the shop.  It is located in the historic district and, like all of the buildings there, is owned by the National Park Service.

IllumiNites in Ireland, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

As part of its new IllumiNites program this summer, Busch Gardens Williamsburg featured several shows and fireworks each night.
In Ireland, the story focused on a love-sick leprechaun whose fairy girlfriend disappeared with his pot of gold. Despite the intervention of a witch looking for a date and heckling by a trio of farm animals, he was able to join forces with a couple of audience members to find his magic and win back his love and his gold.  It was quite fun and really captured the attention of the children in the audience.

IllumiNites with it's many new shows and fireworks every night, is now over for the season, but we sure do hope it returns next year. It was a wonderful addition to the park!

New Construction at Jamestown Fort, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

As part of its presentation of life between 1610 and 1614,  Jamestown Settlement is working on this large building in the fort, complete with a thatched roof. While the scaffolding may not be 17th century, the finished project will bring the past to life.

The Print Shop and Bindery in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The print shop and bindery was the source of printed materials in colonial times, and was a necessity, just as it is now. Books, pamphlets, sale notices and other printed matters affected society and commerce each day. Behind the printer, you can see the large press.

Curse of Darkastle, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Curse of Darkastle is an indoor haunted house animated ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  Wolves play prominently in the ride, as part of the architecture, and the statuary in the courtyard through which the line for the ride winds.

Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop, Williamsburg, Virginia

Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop is located at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square.  They offer chocolate and novelty sweets.  We also think they have a great sign.

Colorful Couple Arriving for Coffee at Charlton's Coffeehouse, Williamsburg, Virginia

This colorful couple arrive at R. Charlton's Coffeehouse in Colonial Williamsburg just in time for the party to which they were invited.  They will have their choice of tea, coffee, chocolate and pastries as refreshments. The coffeehouse is the newest renovation in the historic district.  Many tourists rent or bring their own time period appropriate costumes to tour Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living museum, and to take part in various activities as they would have in the 1770's; the time depicted most days.

Horses Hiding From The Heat in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This team of carriage horses seemed to appreciate a respite under the shade of a tree on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.

Thomas Nelson House, Historic Yorktown, Virginia

This is the residence of Yorktown's most famous resident, Thomas Nelson, Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd governor of Virginia, and leader of the Virginia Militia during the Battle of Yorktown. When American forces lay siege to Yorktown in the battle that brought about the end of the American Revolution, Nelson ordered artillery aimed at his own house which was being used by English officers. In the second photo, cannon balls remain lodged in the exterior wall.  The final photo is of the walled garden.

Scottish Smoker at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This smoker was on display at the German Gifts shop at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. 

The Cook's Quarters on the Susan Constant, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Cooking aboard a wooden ship creates obvious issues.  The cook's quarters on the Susan Constant are claustrobically small and include the brick oven to contain the fireon which he cooked.  The Susan Constant was the flagship of the trio that brought the settlers to Jamestown in 1607.  Replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery can be explored at Jamestown Settlement and are among our favorite destinations in the area.

Unique Entry At The Trimble Collection, Williamsburg, Virginia

We came across this unique entryway to an art shop.  The topiary and fancy podium for the sign are painted on the wall while the pot for the topiary has been sawed in half and mounted to form a base.  We thought it a very creative way to avoid watering the plants every day.

The Publick Gaol (Jail) Interior, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The Publick Gaol (jail) at Colonial Williamsburg is an impressive structure, though not very large.  Above, the courtyard between the four cells and the front wall is presented.  Below, is the interior of a cell with its heavily barred windows and toilet facilities in the corner.  On a hot, humid Virginia Summer day, it certainly would not have been the place to be. Among the celebrated "guests" at the gaol were some of Blackbeard's crew.

Jamestown Settlement Cannon and Long House, Williamsburg, Virginia

Inside the fort at Jamestown Settlement, you can see the buildings and weaponry available to the settlers in the formative years.

Bubbles Galore At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A vendor at Busch GardensWilliamsburg captured the attention of these boys with a bubble gun.  Great sales technique.

Oxen in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg uses oxen just as they did in colonial times; to move heavy loads.  According to their website, a team of two can move several tons.  Colonial Williamsburg has two types of oxen; Milking Shorthorns, which are primarily red with white marking, and Randalls, which are black and white. The Randall was on the verge of extinction but by 2008, their numbers had increased from a low of 20 to about 200.  They are huge cattle, very smart, and work hard for their keep. In these shots, they were getting a good Sunday afternoon rest.

Williamsburg Winery, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Williamsburg Winery Ltd. is the largest winery in Virginia, producing over 60,000 cases per year. They offer tours, wine tasting, and sales of wine and related items on site.  The winery is a small "old world style" village surrounded by more than 50 acres of vineyards.  The scenery, buildings, iron work and decor is beautiful plus there is an elegant "country hotel" called Wedmore Place as well as the Gabriel Archer Tavern on site.

Ladies Leaving the Governor's Palace, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

These ladies, part of the staff at the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, leave at the end of a long work day to traverse the Palace Greens on their way to Duke of Gloucester Street.  Notice the very large key carried by the lady on the right.

Store Room at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The settlers at Jamestown were looking for products to send back to England for sale. In this room they stored their goods in barrels, and tobacco - the crop that really made them profitable - hanging from the ceiling.

Williamsburg Jamestown Airport and Charly's Restaurant, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Williamsburg Jamestown Airport is a small regional facility catering to small planes. It is a neat little outfit complete with Charly's Restaurant.  Charly's was rated the #1 airport restaurant for 2007 by 100dollarhamburger.com. Their claim to fame is their fresh baked bread, homemade desserts, daily specials and soups.  Tables overlooking the runway are available inside and on the patio. 

This will be a place we will have to go and have lunch soon. : )

The Blacksmith in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

In colonial times, the blacksmith made items from iron and steel for use by other tradesmen and made or repaired household items for local residents.  Their tools were simple, their skill well-honed, and their work absolutely necessary to the survival of their neighbors.

Blacksmiths made agricultural implements that allowed food to be grown; commercial tools needed for carpenters, coopers, and wheelrights to complete their tasks; and, cast, bent, or riveted items for the home, such as andirons, pothooks, locks, and decorative iron pieces.

Pirate's Cove, Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg is one of the best family vacation destinations and every great vacation destination must have a cool miniature golf course; Pirate's Cove is just that.  It is an elevated course featuring caves, cliffs, waterfalls, cannon fire, and pirates.  We really enjoy playing a round or two.