We returned to Virginia on Saturday evening (Oct. 24th), excited, tired and hungry. We had just bought a house in Arizona and our heads were still spinning - perhaps that was just the lack of food and sleep. We stopped at Outback to wind down over a steak and a glass of wine, and then headed home. We pushed out the slides and fell exhausted into bed, only to be awakened by a train. When we researched this RV park none of the reviews mentioned that its western border is a very active railroad track. With earplugs we were able to sleep through the light Amtrak trains, but the heavy freight trains rocked our world.
We came to Williamsburg to explore America's historic triangle comprised of
Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Unfortunately, due to the continued wet weather we did not get to Jamestown and Yorktown, but were able to spend two days in Williamsburg.
In Colonial Williamsburg's 301-acre Historic Area stand hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings. Costumed interpreters tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th-century city-black, white, and Native American, slave, indentured, and free-and the challenges they faced.
During our visit the interpreters focused on America's late Colonial Period and early years of independence. There were a myriad of questions during this period regarding our form of government, our sovereignty, international trade and trade routes, federalism and states rights. We talked with a newspaper editor regarding the views of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, a teacher about her experience educating slave children, and a rather unpleasant indentured servant working in the Randolph home. We attended a performance of an 18th Century farce and witnessed an impassioned slave woman questioning when would 'liberty and equality' apply to her race.
We also toured the Governor's Palace, Peyton Randolph's home and kitchen (where we met the surly indentured servant), the Courthouse and Capitol. We talked with a blacksmith, leather worker, cooper, furniture maker and baker. We even saw Martha Washington arrive to request Virginia's continued support for her husband's efforts in the field.
Williamsburg is a very interesting, educational and beautiful place, and we highly recommend it to those with an interest in American history. The interpreters brought the period to life and added to our understanding of the human condition at that time, and it is always inspiring to stroll the streets once trod by our nation's Founding Fathers.
There was much more to see in the area, but it was time for us to continue south in our desperate search of warmer, drier weather. Our next stop: Surf City, North Carolina.
