The Wonderful Williamsburg World: Part Two

Ironically dad just read a recent article about how well Colonial Williamsburg has done to make its history more inclusive to telling all the stories of the majorities represented. We definitely saw that at Jamestown and found it very informative and fascinating. In Williamsburg, they added more free black interpreters...Sadly, thanks to their laws their rights were still considerably restricted.

Since it was in the 90’s today, M & D chose to drive through the Yorktown Battlefield. The Visitor’s Center was closed, but mom found a YouTube app connection through the National Park Service. It did a great job of showing us & telling us what happened at each site. 

What really blew us away was the incredibly diverse terrain that both sides had to fight through...it’s really hard to appreciate the scope of it, since many of the fields then have returned to woods now. Mom and I don't really understand this battle so well; so we have turned this part over to dad to summarize...

Some of the Redoubts and the House where the surrender was decided

The Battle or Siege of Yorktown is really hard to explain. General Cornwallis, the British general, decided to inhabit Yorktown, so it could become a deep water port for the British navy.  The problem was the French navy under Comte de Grasse defeated the British navy before either navy got to Yorktown at the Battle of the Capes. The British navy went back to New York leaving Cornwallis without their help.  This let Generals Washington and Lafayette surround the British army at Yorktown. With no supplies and no Navy to rescue them the British surrendered after an intense siege.

As we drove into Williamsburg commercial downtown, M & D couldn’t believe how much this city has expanded along Route 60! We lost count of how many pancake places there were. Pretty Funny! It wasn’t until we got by William & Mary College that the town started to look as they remembered it. 

Mom and dad appeared to love walking around this older looking area. What's with all the people in funny costumes? Was it my Halloween birthday already? Mom walked me into a field that smelled and tasted fabulous. 

They kept trying to get me to walk in the grass since the brick sidewalk was getting hot! But, they still wouldn't let me chase the squirrels and chipmunks. Shucks! 

   I did enjoy a taste of mom’s Welsh Rarebit at Chownings Tavern. 

         It was fun to see all the tables down the Merchant Square Main Street. 

We kept running into these darling teenagers with World Stride T-shirts. Of course mom had to check them out...It turns out its an educational program with tours and workshops for teenagers.

One of the few selfies that mom has liked...I don't get her hesitation to post them, I look good in every photo!

 Dad and mom left me at SA while they went for their belated, official 49th Wedding Anniversary Dinner tonight at the King's Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. 

Our prime rib and beef tenderloin was cooked to perfection. They couldn't remember how many anniversaries that they have celebrated there when they could. They said it was incredibly delicious with plenty of social distancing still...

            This city is always picturesque in all weathers and seasons. This Parish church was conducting a funeral when we went by...their music was gorgeous! Like many other tourist sites this one was hit hard by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Many of the restaurants and buildings still aren't open and there are help wanted signs everywhere.

The Wonderful Williamsburg World; Part One

 May 21-June 1 American Heritage Park, Williamsburg, VA 

Mom and dad are looking forward to doing a lot of relaxing here, And, revisiting some of their favorite places in the greater Williamsburg & Norfolk area at a leisurely pace...we might even make it to VA Beach...

Just passed through Mt Olive, the Pickle Capital. Home of the University of Mount Olive, the UMO Trojans. WhooHoo!!! 

We all are most grateful for the smoother roads in the north eastern part of NC. It was a beautiful drive through verdant green forests/woods and incredibly productive-appearing wine, legumes, grain and veggie fields. I even saw a small fox running through one of them. Evidently, our idea of going North to escape the hot temperatures isn’t exactly working out. The heat seems to be following us, but still at a lesser degree than FL. 

Dad said, “The World is Traveling Again!” We pulled into a beautiful, piney NC rest stop that was packed. Not encountering any more gas shortages currently, hope it stays this way! 

The James River bridge on I-295 was very sculptural looking and the River below was pretty 

Our RV park is nicely located in this historic triangle

Our RV Park is so lovely. Sitting in fields between woods, nature trails and landscaped sites with a pool and other amenities. I’m in doggy heaven! I love all the green grass, clover, really big doggy park and trails. 

Mom turned last nights Brussels sprouts into this delightful chopped slaw/salad mix with a bit of blue cheese dressing and more chopped bacon. With that addition completed dad quickly reheated his patty melt & fries in the air fryer. Even the second time this meal was still yummy!

After dinner we walked the park, then just sat and relaxed in the cool night air. Sublime...

We woke late, but moved quickly. M & D took me to breakfast at Honey Butter’s. So good! Then off to Jamestowne Historic site to walk off breakfast. Wow! 

                                   The Jamestown Ferry passing the island

Wow! So pretty! Besides all the critters prints and poo that I saw and smelled, I spotted a blue jay, eagle, cardinals, Canadian geese and more. All that before we got to the historic site and the flies started annoying us. Ugh! We survived and really enjoyed all the history along the beautiful James River. Mom made me sit with her for a photograph with one of her "Mighty Women," Pocahontas. This historic site was on an island located on another island. Go figure! 

This part of the church is a reconstruction on top of the original foundation

We thought it was interesting that the original fort was triangular and they are still digging this site finding more discoveries.

As is to typical in history, another fort was built here years later, Fort Pocahontas...the entire town kept evolving...

The dark gate like structure reminded M & D of "Blazing Saddle's" toll gate in the middle of the desert...very puzzling???

As we were leaving the island we saw the reconstructed Jamestown that M & D explored with Bek and Mike years ago

Dad drove us on parts of the Colonial Parkway. We drove over or besides various scenic waterways, and woods before heading back to SA  mom had plans for me today. A FOOT TRIM & BATH!!! NO! 

Dad found the BEST takeout pizza close to us! FHT Pizza had the thinnest crust and freshest ingredients ever!!! Divine! We have enough leftover for two other meals because we were their last customer & the owner gave us an extra one! Incredible! 

Today was our day to do laundry...boring! And, relax! Better!  Since  they played with me in between reading, watching golf, and walking. 

Monday was visit Norfolk day...

Waterside Shops downtown now has this large mural on the one side

    The Naval Station has a new fancy wall fence at the main gate.  it was fun seeing Navy ships, including the newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford.   It was obvious from the appearance of many of the ships that the Navy has had a tough deployment schedule the last three years.  Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval base in the world.  Dad served there from 1972 to 75 aboard the USS John King.  Dad's ship was the DDG 3, when we were in Mayport we saw DDG 109.  Lots of new destroyers since 1975.

While visiting Norfolk and we caught up with mom’s teaching colleague, Christy Bunting. Their friendship was sealed years ago when they survived a hellacious year teaching inner city at Jaycox Middle School in the Norfolk School System.

They had a wonderful time reminiscing. M & D still can’t believe she lost her lovely spouse Gerry 2 1/2 years ago. “ The good do die young!” Christy served us a delicious homemade lasagna and Caesar salad at her darling Oceanview home. I love the idea that Christy's house is only a few years old, but totally has an original "Arts and Crafts" craftsmanship features...

When we first came here, a few years ago, Christy and Gerry's Homearama home was among the first ones built in an area that was used to be so rundown...I just love people with a vision...the Oceanview area of Norfolk has totally been transformed. 

The weather was overcast, cool and very windy, so we didn’t walk to the beach as they have in the past…I was bummed!!! I so wanted to swim!!!

Dad took me out to walk and play ball twice before they left for their explorations without me. 

Here’s their version of Jamestown Settlement

This historic site has considerably advanced since we brought our kids here in the 1980’s.

This is a recreated Powhatan Village. By the 1600's they had a very well established and organized village system. They estimate there was approximately 14,000 of them in Virginia when this colony got started.

Inside one of the larger meeting houses

Demonstrating how they would burn out the center of a large log to make their canoes

            One of the fortified ends of the fort with the cannons lined up to fire...

The initial organization of the fort with homes, storage, most trades along with some farming were all found inside the gates.

The soldiers, government employees and the Governor of course get the more plush quarters.

Now, instead of mostly telling the story through the British colonists, it represents the Native American’s story and the African Americans. Using various  movies/animations and exhibitions/galleries; they told the story of each people’s contributions. We both learned new information that was completely different than what we were taught years ago. It’s an incredibly well executed site with educational actors answering more questions within the two villages or on one of the three ships. Even though much of the story concentrated on the 1607-1614 time period; the large exhibition hall provided more insight to what happened afterwards as well.

We went back to pick up to pick up Pippi after relaxing for a bit...we headed to Yorktown for dinner

We happened upon the newly remodeled Larry's in Yorktown that overlooked the waterfront. What a fun brewpub like bar! The wait staff, owner/manager were entranced with my good manners and lovely personality. We had a lovely meal and drinks there while we relaxed watching the boats and people along with waterfront. 

We needed to walk a bit after dinner, so off we went...I was bummed that they wouldn't let me into the York River...just because they didn't have anything to dry me off with!!! Poor planning I say!

Here is what we discovered...caves. If you are able to slow down, when you are vacationing, you never know what history you will uncover...

The last time M & D saw caves that people lived in was out West, they never heard of them in this part of the country.

Dad took this artsy photo as we were leaving...think he did really well on this one!

Pippi's Southern Surprise, Wilmington, NC

 May 17-21        Wilmington KOA Holiday, Wilmington, NC

Our drive to Wilmington wasn’t terribly memorable except for M & D having to go to three filling stations 122 miles south of Wilmington before they found gas. Fortunately, it was the Shell across the street from the other two that had regular only. 

So far we are giving the worst highway awards to NC. Ugh! It’s so bumpy that I’m having a hard time sleeping. Along the way, we have seen advertisements for a Rachel Carson Coastal Estuarine Preserve reached by water only from Beaufort, NC An aquarium is in the area too; both places I know my folks would like. 

The Cape Fear River appears to ramble like a snake through the countryside as we get closer to Wilmington. Who knew? 

It turns out the Wilmington KOA is really nice with loads of amenities for me and M & D. I especially like the dog park behind our site. 

After our dinner at SA (Sleeping Around, our trailer’s name) using the KOA’s nice Weber grill, we went for a nice walk around this place. Talked to some people from NH and they told us to go down by Carolina Beach and take the ferry to Southport. The young man, a mortgage broker said lots of retirees who retired to FL are moving to NC because it’s not so hot in the summers. They nicknamed them “half backs”. LOL

Got up with mom today, we found a Nature Trail in this park and a big empty fenced in open area that mom let me run and chase critters again. Heaven! The adults had yummy coffee, chai latte tea, and scones at Casablanca. We walked through another nature path on the KOA site to reach it. Lovely! I keep seeing these brilliant blue birds with brown chests. Very small and pretty. Mom said it appears to be an Eastern Bluebird.

According to Google: “Wilmington is a port city in North Carolina. It’s known as a gateway to Cape Fear Coast beaches like Wrightsville, with its strong surf, and Carolina, with its long boardwalk. (M & D spent a couple days at Wrightsville beach with Moondance.) Part of downtown’s Historic District, the Riverwalk is lined with restaurants, galleries and shops. It runs along the Cape Fear River, where the Battleship North Carolina is moored. (M & D visited this battleship when dad returned from Vietnam in 1973)

As M & D drove down Market St towards historic downtown Wilmington, many of the houses had a distinct New England look. Lots of brick or wood sided ones in the Federal style complete with front pillars on their front porches. They were disappointed that the longer trolley tours weren’t running since they covered more area. 

However, the horse drawn carriage tour that they took used rescued French Percheron bred by the Amish. We had Pete & Mike leading us with Billy talking and driving. They started this French Percheron rescue 35 years ago. Sometimes these horses can’t team together which is a problem and the reason the Amish have to sell them. Ironically, these horses need to work or they will eat themselves to death; which caused them to start the carriage company as part of the rescue. They don’t retire the horses until around 20 years old because by then their metabolism has changed and they can finally relax. Their carriage horses live longer than the Amish work ones since they change them out often. Billy, our driver is suppose to be retired, but he loves these horses. 

USS NC Battleship, is the most decorated WWII warship and the Number One Tourist Attraction here. It was saved from the scrapyards by the Wilmington school children sending in their collected coins and campaigning for it not being scrapped. Dad told me they visited it 48 years ago, when he returned from Vietnam

Many warehouses were situated along the river to distribute the farms produce and wares to boats that could more readily transport them, since good roads were rare...

Sears sold their Craftsman houses in 1929 for $750 in anticipation for the Depression; figuring that the new home owners would need to buy the Sears toolkit also. You can find different versions of these houses all around the US.

In the 1970-80’s all the downtown Victorians were dumped as homeowners flocked to the suburbs, but not now. What was going for $16,000  or less  is going for 1 -2 million or more.

This downtown historical area is a simply stunning, quiet downtown residential area with beautiful gardens. Within the historic district everything must retain the historic look, even new builds. Lots of movies filmed here because of the period buildings and homes.

These two identical homes were built by a father for his two daughters who couldn't get along. They were thrilled until they realized that they were side by side.

If you look inside you can see this cavernous space which once held carriages and horses in town for the day. Now, it is an event center for weddings and other such events.

My adorable granddaughters, Clara May, 1.25+ and Elise Charlotte, 4.75+ years old...I have to show photos of them occasionally because I miss them so...

We have the best friends!!! Thanks to Covid, we didn't get to see them much this winter, in Florida; but Dee and Greg Armhein drove an hour each way to see and have dinner with us...What a treat!!! Many Thanks to them for their time!!!

They all had drinks on our KOA patio. Greg played ball with me which was a BIG mistake, since I kept bugging him until we all went to dinner at the Cape Fear Seafood Company, a couple miles away from here. We had a lovely time there! 

 Dee and Greg had stuffed flounder that they enjoyed immensely: as did mom and dad, their Mahi Mahi Saltimbocca...Mom came through and snuck me bites of fish and spinach...Delightful! 

Mom and I found the KOA Nature Trail this morning and a large open fenced in area beside it for storage of picnic tables, sand, mulch and such...since no one was around, she let me, be me; and run...I was in Heaven!!!

It’s kind of overcast with possible showers so we decided to head to Fort Fisher State Park  “Until the last few months of the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept North Carolina's port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. By 1865, the supply line through Wilmington was the last remaining supply route open to Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. When Ft. Fisher fell after a massive Federal amphibious assault on January 15, 1865, its defeat helped seal the fate of the Confederacy.” There are a number of books written about this important conflict referring to Fort Fisher as the Gibraltar of the South. Dad said he didn’t know anything about this particular Civil War amphibious battle. 

The Fort is large with a road splitting it in two sections making it a bit hard to visualize without the site map. We all got quite the workout walking around it.

While dad went into watch the Fort Fisher Historic movie, mom and I walked the park’s earthen works. OMG! It was huge and eerily beautiful thanks to all the green, lush grass, wildflowers, live oaks with various views of the Cape Fear River on one side. Since it was a point, the other side was the Atlantic Ocean. Even though mom isn’t the history buff dad is, the signs had loads of informative info and actual eyewitness accounts. For me, it looked and smelled good! 

This fort's location was very isolated; resulting in loneliness and boredom, so 

fishing and gardening were encouraged since it added to their food supply.

 The disadvantage of this fort's defense plan...the Bloody Gate...

Talking about incredible economic details...

We boarded the Fort Fisher Ferry for the 35 minute ride to Southport. The non stop winds kept us cool as the temps climbed. One of our KOA NH neighbors suggested this trip because it’s such a cute town. 

They were right, it reminded M & D of Cape May, NJ in its quaintness with more reasonable size Craftsman style and Victorian cottages, B & B inns and homes. 

The waterfront was charming with lots of benches, swings, and drinking fountains for people and dogs. Darling shops and restaurants were within a couple block walk. Just a super laid back town... hanging out on the swings and benches watching other people and the boat traffic seemed to be the order of the day...

Obviously, a very small school system and graduating class here...look at their posters along the waterfront. So sweet!!! 

Mom and dad had a very late lunch at Oliver's. As always, mom shared a bit of her fancy, scmanzy, grilled chicken, berries, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, salad with a apple cider/hazelnut vinaigrette ...it also included Mom’s new favorite veggie, Peruvian “Sweety Drop” peppers that have a sugar-like sweetness in her opinion...but when she Googled them, they can be hot as well. Dad loved his crab cake, bacon sandwich with hush puppies too.

Look closely and you will find a photo of these tiny peppers in the next photo. They are the size of your tiny fingernail and looked like teardrops, cute and flavorful...she didn't share those..

This old school motel was one of the few that we saw here...mostly B n B's

We all had a lovely 49th Anniversary breakfast at Brunches in an upscale suburb of Wilmington. Delightful!

After playing with me for a bit, M & D went to the Bellamy Mansion in the historic downtown.  

“Designed by architect James F. Post for the wealthy physician and merchant Dr. John D. Bellamy, the 10,000-square-foot, twenty-two room mansion was constructed primarily by skilled, enslaved workers and local, free black artisans between 1859 and 1861.

The mansion does not boast a pure architectural style, but shares elements of Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and Italianate styles. Twenty-five foot tall Corinthian columns bring an onlooker’s eye up to the ornate wood trim work that includes dental molding and an egg and dart motif. Every aspect of the mansion’s design was deliberate. 

From placing the kitchen on the east side of the home so it 

received the first light of day 

to placing a belvedere at the 

very top that acted as early 

air conditioning, James F. Post 

and his assistant architect 

Rufus Bunnell 

left nothing to chance.”

 If you are interested, these informative panels tell details of urban slaves lives that M & D hadn't seen discussed before...Mom loved this mansion drawing too

        

This particular mansion has little in the way of the furnishing...we are guessing in part due to a large fire that massively added to the overall renovation cost. The spacious room sizes, tall windows, doors and ceilings and thick walls helped to keep it much cooler. Mike was up in the Belvedere which even with AC was doing it’s job of pulling the heat up there. 

Looking down to the slave quarters, laundry and two privys for help and the family.

The stable is connected to the Slave Quarters, but both buildings had rooms for the help, both slaves and free...

The basement floor held the kitchen, ironing room, butler's room, and family informal dining room.The kids rooms were located on the top floor. 

As you can see, the bottom and top floors are furnished with period furnishings. 

The bedrooms  and hallway on the second level served as a changing art gallery which was a nice treat!

The front of the mansion fronted the major street, Market. 

In the next set of photos you see the formal parlors on the first floor. This house was lived in by the family from the 1860's until Ellen's, one of the daughter's death in 1946.

The windows and venting were very clever, but obviously dangerous as well

The mature magnolias and other foliage and fauna surrounding this mansion were magnificent 

The back of this mansion opened into what would have been the work areas...

As with all cities we visited, there is much left to see...more restored plantations and mansions, The  New Hanover County NC Cooperative Extension and Arboretum and the  Airlie Gardens, not to mention all the fabulous museums, boutiques and gift shops abound. .

Clara May, 15 mos. learning to walk...she loves everyone's shoes but her own

Since it was our anniversary and we have another long drive to Williamsburg, VA tomorrow we came home to Pippi, reading, swimming and relaxing before heading out for a casual, early dinner tonight at the Fork and Cork and a final walk around the Riverwalk with Pip.  The restaurant really lived up to all its great reviews. The only item we didn’t leave leftovers was their fantastic Scottish Egg. The egg was soft boiled as opposed to hard. Super Delicious! Their food portions were so generous that we definitely have another fantastic meal tomorrow night! Yeah! They had an incredible draft beer selection too!!! I’d return in a heartbeat if we are ever back here. 

Pippi curled up next to our bed in Sleeping Around...she loves to keep her nose warm.