Wine Weathervane, Yankee Candle, Williamsburg, Virginia

This "wine" weathervane at the Yankee Candle store caught our eye.  It's wine bottle always points to a glass of wine and fresh grapes at the ready.  

The Capitol In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg is the third building to stand here, the first two being destroyed by fire.  The original building, constructed in 1703, was the first building in the country to be called "capitol." In addition to playing host to politicians like Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Patrick Henry, it hosted grand social events like dances and suppers.

The Fife and Drums of Yorktown, Yorktown, Virginia

This is the headquarters of The Fifes and Drums of York Town, which was formed in 1976 for the Bicentennial celebration.  The young men and women of the corp perform at a wide variety of events each year.

Horse Treats, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Horses in Colonial Williamsburg are so used to the attention of tourists, they will often come running expecting a snack when one nears the fence.  Even a little grass from the other side of the fence seems to satisfy their yearning.

Street Scene, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A group of cold weather tourist enjoy the coziness of one of the colonial carriages as they roll down Duke of Gloucester Street toward the Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg, as others leisurely stroll by.

Inviting Gazebo, Williamsburg, Virginia

This gazebo looks like an inviting place to sit and enjoy the sun even on a cold winter day.

Cute Colonial Merchandise, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The souvenir shop at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center offers some incredibly cute colonial merchandise

Old Chickahominy House, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Old Chickahominy House is a local restaurant icon serving yummy, family style meals as well as selling antiques and gifts since 1955.

Colonial Gent, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This nattily dressed gentlemen bids welcome to all who pass by in Colonial Williamsburg.

Riverwalk Landing Gazebo, Yorktown, Virginia

The gazebo marks the entry to the boat dock at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown. It was extraordinarily  quiet on this day in the off season.

Snow and Berries, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A little snow can accent the most beautiful of plants as this photo shows.

Coleman Bridge, Yorktown, Virginia

The George P. Coleman Bridge spans the York River from Yorktown to Gloucester Point.  It is 3750 feet long and is a double-swing-span bridge; the two center sections rotate like wings to open to allow naval and cargo ships to pass through.

Visitor Center, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg Virginia

This is the entry to Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center.  There is a large book store, a souvenir shop on either side of the approach to the information desk.  In addition to buying passes to the exhibits in the colonial district, you can rent colonial costumes or see videos that provide an introduction to the area. For video of Colonial Williamsburg, click here.

Muscarelle Museum of Art, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Muscarelle Museum on the campus of the College of William and Mary presents a number of impressive works of art which have been collected over the schools 300 plus years.  These includes works by artists such as Matisse and Picasso. A variety of exhibits are presented throughout the year.

Colonial Lady, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This colonial lady is preparing to host a gathering at R. Charlton's Coffeehouse, the newest reconstruction at Colonial Williamsburg.

Peyton Randolph House, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is the Peyton Randolph House in Colonial Williamsburg taken in the late summer.  Randolph was Speaker of Virginia's House of Burgesses at the time of the Revolution and was elected the presiding officer of the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia in 1774.  Many notable leaders such as Washington, Lafayette, and Rochambeau were guests at this home built in 1715. Randolph's father, John, was the only Virginia born colonist to be knighted.

Snow and Sheep, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Sheep gather around the feeding trough in a snowy pasture behind the Peyton Randolph house in Colonial Williamsburg.  Randolph was the Speaker of the House of Burgesses in Virginia in the time leading up to the revolution.

Yorktown Victory Center, Yorktown, Virginia

The Yorktown Victory Center is the state owned and operated museum commemorating Washington's defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown which led to the end of the Revolutionary War. There are a variety of exhibits inside while outside they do exhibitions on how to load and fire muskets and depict typical life at the time of the revolution on a small farm.

The battlefield is also maintained and presented in museum fashion nearby.

Busy, Busy , Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This Colonial Williamsburg employee has quite the shopping cart to maneuver through the busy historic district.

Heron On The River, Williamsburg, Virginia

This heron watchfully rests on a tree stump at the edge of the York River on a cold January day on the Colonial Parkway.

The Williamsburg Hospitality House, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Williamsburg Hospitality House is a luxury hotel near the colonial district and the College of William and Mary.  It is a beautiful building whose sign prominently displays a pineapple which signified welcome in colonial times.  It is a common decoration in Williamsburg, adorning many buildings. 

Go Tribe! William & Mary Campus Shop, Williamsburg, Virginia

The College of William and Mary is not only a popular place to learn, but its apparel and souvenirs are in high demand.  This shop on Prince George Street in Williamsburg has it all.

Go Tribe!

Unique Area Advertising Sign, Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

This unusual sign directs tourists to another area of shops in Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square. Shoppers can purchase everything from toys and clothing to reproduction colonial furniture and then have a little "death by chocolate" at the Trellis Restaurant.

River Reflections, Williamsburg, Virginia

The river was almost mirror like on this cool, crisp day with only pockets of movement on the surface.

A Little Colonial Fun, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Even in the cold of winter, a carriage ride is a fun treat in Colonial Williamsburg, as the smiles clearly attest.

Winter Walk, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This costumed employee of Colonial Williamsburg enjoys a brisk winter walk down Duke of Gloucester Street.  The Capitol can be seen in the distance.

Tourism In Williamsburg, Virginia

Living in an area that includes Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, and Virginia Beach just down the road, tour buses are a common site.  This "Scenic America" bus brings some of the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the area annually.

The Unicorn's Horn, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Unicorn's Horn was the name of the shop owned by Dr. James Carter who was an apothecary, physician, and surgeon. He apparently chose the name as an advertising gimmick and because unicorn horn was used medicinally. Since it was so hard to find (as you can imagine) rhinocerous horn or narwhal tusks were often substituted in the recipe.

Winter Elegance In Williamsburg, Virginia

Despite the hibernation for many plants and the disappearance of their most vibrant colors, winter has its own beauty and elegance that can be found around every corner here in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Native Virginian, Williamsburg, Virginia

Sometime, with all the tourists, colorful characters, and activities, it's easy to forget about the other residents living in the area. This furry little native happily munches on one of the many treats he stashed away for the winter.

Happy New Year From Williamsburg, Virginia

Wishing a happy and prosperous 2011 to all of our blogger friends.

Darryl and Ruth  :  )