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Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia 11/09/2013

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NOVEMBER 9, 2013 (Saturday)

 

When we checked in last night, we were asked if we wanted to attend a timeshare presentation. We are always looking for new alternatives to what we are doing so we said yes (plus we like the freebies). We were offered three tickets to Colonial Williamsburg (about $120). Michael and I slept pretty well but still managed to be up and downstairs for the 9:00 AM presentation.

We got downstairs and they had tea and coffee available. Michael and I were given a bag of goodies and muffins from the lady who checked us in last night. Very nice of her. The presentation was long and Lisa was great in explaining how she felt it could enhance what we were doing. It is kinda similar to Worldmark but based more on the East Coast. We liked how you could use your points with hotels. We had to say no, however, because we felt it just couldn’t save us enough to justify the costs. 

Checking in for the Bluegreen presentation.
Checking in for the Bluegreen presentation.

We left and went upstairs to get Lexi. Then we were on the road to the Visitor’s Center to get our tickets. Once we got the tickets, we got on the bus and went to Colonial Williamsburg. What a fun place. Michael has never been, Lexi was here when she was in the 8th grade, and I was here about 40 years ago. We have a three day pass so we’re going to go slow and explore it all (we hope).

Nice display of flags at the visitors center.
Nice display of flags at the Visitor’s Center.
Entrance to Visitors Center.
Entrance to Visitor’s Center.

 

Our shuttle bus that delivered us into the village of Colonial Williamsburg.
Our shuttle bus that delivered us into the village of Colonial Williamsburg.
Pretty woman with horse drawn carriage in back of her.
Pretty woman with horse drawn carriage in back of her.

 

Wheels ride funny.
Wheels ride funny.
Period costumes everywhere.
Period costumes everywhere.
Nice detail on wood post cap.
Nice detail on wood post cap.

 

Gardens at the Governor's Palace, though after the Biltmore....
Gardens at the Governor’s Palace, though after the Biltmore….

 

I like the odd shaped buildings.
I like the odd shaped buildings.
Side buildings.
Side buildings.

We first went to the Governor’s house. A young woman in period costume talked like it was back in the 1700’s. We got to see the ballroom, a dressing room, a child’s bedroom, the kitchen, and the most amazing entry way with swords and guns and all sorts of weapons. Then we just slowly strolled along through gardens and then down the street. As we were walking down the street, a drum and fife group came marching by. Really nice.

Great map, with Virginia extending to the Pacific ocean.
Great map, with Virginia extending to the Pacific ocean.
Our guide and presenter that did a good job of telling us the history and trying to coax us to imagine what it was like just before the revolution.
Our guide and presenter that did a good job of telling us the history and trying to coax us to imagine what it was like just before the revolution.
The guns, swords and pistols was overwhelming. The Governor's palace was an armory in the entry and hallways.
The guns, swords and pistols was overwhelming. The Governor’s palace was an armory in the entry and hallways.

 

Fireplace mantle detail.
Fireplace mantle detail.

 

1762 is the date stamp.
1762 is the date stamp.
So many walls of weapons!
So many walls of weapons!
Handle detail.
Handle detail.
Impressive for 1700 manufacture.
Impressive for 1700 manufacture.
Pistols.
Pistols.

 

Guns!
Guns!
Guns!
Guns!

 

The hinges on all the doors were reinforced with these metal braces.
The hinges on all the doors were reinforced with these metal braces.

 

The two eldest daughters, 14 & 15 slept in this bed.
The two eldest daughters, 14 & 15 slept in this bed.

 

I really like the door knob hardware.
I really like the door knob hardware.
Living large in the 1760's. It was opulent.
Living large in the 1760’s.  It was opulent.

 

Everthing was period. Lots of pass key locks and wood.
Everthing was period. Lots of pass key locks and wood.

 

Handles and wood, looks not unlike furniture of today.
Handles and wood, looks not unlike furniture of today.
Great detail in the wood working and wall coverings.
Great detail in the wood working and wall coverings.
Ballroom.
Ballroom.

 

King George III and Queen Sarah, in the ball room.
King George III and Queen Sarah, in the ballroom.
Dining room.
Dining room.
Royal China.
Royal China.
Governor's silverware.
Governor’s silverware.

 

About 1/8 of the Governor's garden.
About 1/8 of the Governor’s garden.

We walked around more (went into the court house and had our pictures taken in the wooden stocks thing). We ended up at Shields Tavern for lunch. We were seated way down in the cellar. The place is huge. The employees were all in period dress and you could just imagine how it used to be with all the props they had – candles on the table, barrels, old looking stoneware, etc. Was fun. Michael and I had the special and Lexi had the hot turkey sandwich. Everything was really good.

Small house off the palace green.
Small house off the palace green.
Looked like a nice place to live.
Looked like a nice place to live.
I think the powder magazine.
I think the powder magazine.

 

Lexie finally has us exactly where she wants us.
Lexie finally has us exactly where she wants us.

 

That door on the second floor would be a challenge to walk through to the outside.
That door on the second floor would be a challenge to walk through to the outside.
Lunch.
Lunch.
We sat and ate in the basement. The brick everywhere echoed every sound and it was loud down there. The picture really reveals the soot from the candles on the tables.
We sat and ate in the basement. The brick everywhere echoed every sound and it was loud down there. The picture really reveals the soot from the candles on the tables.
Prettiest woman I ever saw, just sitting there looking at me.
Prettiest woman I ever saw, just sitting there looking at me.

 

Chef's special, chicken breast, bacon, Swiss cheese, fries and slaw. Very good.
Chef’s special, chicken breast, bacon, Swiss cheese, fries and slaw. Very good.

 

Lex's hot turkey sandwich.
Lex’s hot turkey sandwich.

 

My chef's special with bun on top.
My chef’s special with bun on top.

By the time we got out of the tavern, we were tired. We walked to the bus stop and waited for the ride back to the Visitor’s Center.

Two beauties by a very strange tree.
Two beauties by a very strange tree.
The capitol building.
The Capitol building.

It was fun on the ride back in that we got to see much more of the area that we want to explore in the next few days. Also, we got to see the drum and fife group again.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!