America - The Beautiful Beginning

  We checked into our RV Park in the Williamsburg area, and immediately went to check out the amenities.  Each RV park tends to have its own set of unique perks, and this one didn't disappoint!  They  had a huge covered building with fun bouncy things like this and even an outdoor waterslide one too.  This was in addition to the boat dock, beach area, swimming pool and weekend activities.  

 They even had a legit Italian restaurant on the property that was AMAZING!  But we were here for one reason, well 2, Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.

  We headed down to CW for dinner and to scope the place out after hours.  Dinner first, we were starving!

  We found a CUTE diner to try!

  We walked into CW afterwards.  You can walk freely there even after hours, just not go inside the buildings.  It was nice to have a chance to get some photos without tons of people in them!!!!  

  Slideshow:  

  Sad the crime rate is so high here, check out these felons being punished in the town square....

  We headed out to Jamestown Beach to scope it out for a future hang out day....it was really nice!

  Independence Day started with a BANG, hot and humid too, but off we headed to Colonial Williamsburg as planned.    We wanted to get there in time for the Salute to the States and heard the Drum and Fife presentation.

  The first thing you do, as you walk over, is cross the Time Bridge.  It is really neat and helps you understand the era you are entering.    

Check it out via slideshow:

  It was quite the walk, and we made it JUST as the Drum and Fife presentation started, PHEW!  We had a nice view, praise Jesus!

  It was amazing and the kids LOVED the canon BOOMS!

National Anthem from Tonya Ferguson on Vimeo.

  We headed into the village to see if we could secure a carriage ride, and explore the town a bit.   This place is 300 acres!

  I also wanted to get some pics of us with the kids, so we grabbed a shady spot and got to work.

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 A nice lady asked if she could take our family portrait so we could ALL be in it.  YES PLEASE! :)

​  Check out our photo bomber.  Cracked us up!

 Slideshow:

  We walked until we could walk no more.......you all it was SO HOT!  

  And headed back across the Time Bridge.

 We went back to the RV park to let the dog out, decided to rest in the AC until dinner.  Standard BBQ fare, but Avery was sweet and set us a beautiful 4th of July-esque table to dine at.

  Sophie was doing so well with the fireworks, thanks to Serenity oil, that we decided to take her back to CW with us for the fireworks.  She was SO excited!

  Thomas Jefferson road in his carriage, to read the Declaration of Independence, the Drum & Fife crew came back through, and then the fireworks began!

  It was a great ending to a great day!

  We heard from a lot of locals and online reviews that Jamestown was more enjoyable than CW, which surprised us.  It is smaller, more manageable and has indoor museum and short film to enjoy with your ticket purchase.  We loved it as well!

  First you get to explore the Indian Villages and speak with them how they lived.  

  Next is the 3 ships that first came to this area with settlers onboard.  Nope, not Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria!

  The Susan Constant, Godspeed and the Discovery! 

   These are recreations of those ships that brought the first permanent English colonists in 1607.  They are SO well done and there are people on board explaining their job and what life was like all those months on board.

  In the slideshow below, make sure you check out the TINY cooks quarters, the officer and captains quarters and the hold below, where over 50 very sea sick English settlers were puking their guts out.  They went MONTHS without fresh food, and loved when they landed on an island temporarily to replenish fresh fruit, bathe and more.

  Once you have explored the ships, the path leads you to the settlement.  They lived on these ships for months, while they secured a wall around the village and started public buildings.

​Slideshow:

  There was a Musket firing presentation, and I cannot BELIEVE how long and labor intensive it used to be, to fire a musket ONCE and then do it all again.  It includes a burning wick that stays tucked between your fingers at all times as you reload and refire.

  They also wore belts of gun powder and individual flasks of shot.  This is how John Smith was badly injured and went back to England, never to return.

Jamestown Musket Firing from Tonya Ferguson on Vimeo.

  We headed back inside for the movie and the museum.  The AC felt WONDERFUL!

Slideshow:

  Jamestown only takes about half a day, so we packed swim clothes and headed to the previously scoped out Jamestown Beach near by.

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  Bye Virginia, it's been fun! :)

  Heading to Philly!  Talk again soon......

Hugs, T