Tag Archives: virginia

Day 7…. Historic Jamestown

February 15, 2020 Rivergirl 11 Comments

Part 2 of the historic triangle in the Williamsburg ,Virginia area is Jamestown. What I didn’t know before arriving was that there are 2 distinct ways to experience it…. the National Park site and the more touristy recreation.

We opted for the National site first, by way of the Colonial Parkway.

The Parkway is a beautiful 23 mile road that runs along the James River from Williamsburg to Yorktown.

We jumped off at Jamestown and drove the 5 mile Island Loop, a self guided tour that explores the natural environment and history of the area.

Then it was on to the visitors center.

I won’t bore you ~~more than I already do~~ with the story. You can read about it here. Suffice it to say Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement, the birthplace of Virginia… and basically, America.

There was a wonderful theater…

With multiple screens… where we brushed up on our high school history.

Outside there was a long boardwalk…

That led to a monument…

Which I’m sure the husband was glad he didn’t have to climb.

It was there we waited for our Park Ranger tour guide.

Who led us to the original settlers’ site.

That’s Pocahantas to the right… and yes, there was a Mockingbird on her head. A real one who proceeded to poop on her nose.

319ds0

The only thing left from the original settlers’ buildings was one crumbling wall of a church.

But archeologists have been actively digging here for years….

Removing thousands of artifacts from the fort….

And various other buildings.

Here, the husband checks out a model recreation of the site.

The soldiers barracks.

Where the Queen visited a decade ago.

And the required selfie by the water.

There was an outline of a church with markers for the identified graves.

And a graveyard for unidentified remains.

It was a lovely spot.

But the history of the hardships the colonists suffered sure made you appreciate the wealth of opportunities and conveniences we have now.

Famine, civil unrest, severe weather, murder, Indian attacks…. even cannabilism. They experienced it all.

cannibal

Second required selfie by the water to lighten the mood.

It was a fascinating tour…

And we learned a lot.

But it was lunchtime…. and the husband’s stomach was growling.

Not wanting to waste time and drive back to town, we were glad to find a small cafe on site.

You couldn’t beat the view.

Chicken salad spinach wrap with potato salad for me…

Tomato bisque and a Sloppy Joe with potato salad for the husband.

Thus fortified, we headed for the museum.

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Day 6…. The Outer Banks, Jerky, and Dirty Dicks.

February 10, 2020 Rivergirl 20 Comments

During the 17 years we lived in North Carolina, we never managed to make it to the Outer Banks… though not for lack of trying on my part. So on Day 6 of this vacation? A three hour road trip.

Past the Lamberts Point Coal Terminal in Hampton Roads…

The largest coal exporting port in the country.

And if you think it’s pretty? Just imagine how nice it smells….

Yes. Kind of like that.

Over and through the Hampton Bay Bridge Tunnel…

And past some tempting tourist attractions.

Is it shocking we didn’t stop?

jerky

No.

It is not.

One more very long bridge later….

And we were there.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic.

200 miles of beach.

Where the wind was so fierce it was blowing said beach right across the road when we got there.

It had been a mild 48 degrees in Williamsburg, but here?

It felt like minus 12.

Beachfront condos and rentals were everywhere.

And in every color you can imagine.

Neighbor’s roof blocking your view?

No worries, just build a deck on yours.

It never ceases to amaze me how little property they can build on these days. Our town has a 3 acre minimum….

At the Outer Banks? It must be 3 inches.

And though we were getting hungry for lunch…

Awful Arthur’s was closed.

Damn… and I really wanted to see how awful it was.

But since we have a good friend named Richard, who is sometimes called Dick?

We had to.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen.

I got my crabs from Dirty Dicks.

My She Crab soup that is….

And my hushpuppies….

And my Ocean Blue Margarita in a disappointing plastic cup as they had run out of funny bar glasses…. or so we thought.

I’m not a Bloody Mary fan…. but that looks like a meal in itself.

The husband had mussels and lamented over not getting a glass for his collection.

(Oh, did I tell you? Along with all the other ~~ridiculous pieces of crap~~ things he collects… he has now decided to acquire a glass from every fun bar or restaurant we visit.)

Did this place qualify as fun?

I don’t know….

But with fried potato salad on the menu it definitely qualified as southern.

Finished eating, the husband asked the waitress to rinse out the plastic cups so he could bring them home to our friend as a joke…. which is when she pointed to us to their entire store of Dirty Dick merchandise.

We should have known.

But it was too good to pass up and we bought him a hat, a t shirt and a bumper sticker for Christmas.

(P.S… He loved them)

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Day 5… a trip to Virginia Beach, a long lunch and a lot of alcohol.

February 9, 2020 Rivergirl 42 Comments

Our 5th day had us meeting the ex wife of an old Marine Corps buddy. There’s a long sordid story that goes along with this statement, but suffice it to say you never really know anyone. Honestly, you don’t.

The man we’d been friends with for over 35 years? The one we thought was honest, trustworthy and stable? Is now on his third wife, estranged from his children, drowning in debt, filing bankruptcy for the second time (while working as an accountant for the Federal Government) and being sued by his own lawyer for fraud. Did I mention he lies like a rug and told wife #2 that wife #1 accused him of having an affair with me?

I mean come on.

I know I like to drink…. but I think I would have remembered that!!

Needless to say it was a verrrrry long lunch.

But I’d never been to Virginia Beach before so we took a little scenic drive before heading to the restaurant.

My first impression?

Busy and crowded.

With the typical big city high rise hotels lining the road near the ocean.

Complete with all that ticky tacky crap I hate, designed to suck your wallet dry.

In other words, it’s similar to Atlantic City, Myrtle Beach and numerous other places we’ve visited along the Florida coast.

No thanks. You’ve seen one you’ve seen ’em all.

Even this gang of tropical fish escaping the surf and heading for the highway didn’t make it more appealing.

aaa

We drove down a few side streets to check out the houses near the shore…

Which was nerve wracking in that behemoth of a vehicle the husband had rented.

Seriously, it took up the entire street.

We found a few pretty spots, but overall? Being jammed right up next to your neighbor is not where I want to live…. waterfront or not.

So, lunch.

Was at a place called Rockafeller’s right on the water.

We got there early.

Okay, really early.

But at least we didn’t have to wait for a table with a view.

I have to admit I got a kick out of the illustrated cocktail menu.

I’m guessing this is for when you’ve had too many and can no longer enunciate properly.

If you can smile and point?

You’re not too drunk to serve.

This is the Mojito, which shouldn’t have been yellow but was tasty all the same.

One drink in, we spotted some fishermen bringing in their catch.

It doesn’t get much fresher than that.

Two drinks in, our friend arrived and we talked, and talked, and talked.

Or rather, she talked and we did a lot of listening.

And drinking.

Did I mention there were multiple pages of cocktail lists?

Maybe Virginia Beach isn’t so bad after all.

3 hours in we figured we’d better eat.

Crab and shrimp hushpuppies sounded like a good way to start…

They were huge, not at all like hush puppies and absolutely horrible.

Flavorless wads of fried dough. If there was shrimp or crab? I never found it. The husband had an equally bad platter of steamed shrimp. Which is hard to screw up, but they did, so I went the safe route…

And ordered a chicken Caesar salad…. which turned out to be practically chickenless.

I imagine even the mosiac Santa dolphin out front would have tasted better. But it was a good time and nice to see our friend.

So we left Virginia Beach…

And headed back to Williamsburg…

Wondering who Willoughby was and why he was spitting.

First stop? A decent place for dinner.

And proof that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Tucked in the back of a very ordinary looking strip mall was a wonderful little Italian place…. that I can’t remember the name of to save my life.

But the garlic knots were to die for… light as air.

And my cheese tortellini alfredo with chicken, broccoli and sun dried tomatoes?

Ooh la la! So rich I had to take half back to the resort.

(I hope this quiets you food screamers. Two meals in one post. Now hush!)

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Mariners’ Museum 5…. toys, a submarine, weapons, an Enigma and a 3D coral reef.

February 8, 2020 Rivergirl 25 Comments

I realize this is the 5th post of our trip to the museum, but fear not…. it will also be the last.

Oh, stop being so dramatic and admit you learned something. Even if it was just how to use seashell toilet paper.

We’d spent all day roaming these halls and closing time was approaching before we were even a quarter of the way through.

So we literally trotted from exhibit to exhibit.

Vintage naval toys?

Check!

The hull of the Oracle that won the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010?

A ginormous check!

Submarine cutout?

Got it.

WWII memorabilia?

Yup. Tons…

They even had an Enigma!

How cool is that?

If you haven’t seen The Imitation Game about the life of Alan Turing, the man who broke the unbreakable code and then tragically took his own life… with an apple?

You should.

Teddy Roosevelt was there…

As was this precious little sword wielding cherub.

Because yeah…. what could go wrong with that?

There was too much to see…

And too little time.

Look… interesting, not to mention decorative, ways to kill people!

And I didn’t have a chance to read all the details.

And that.

What was that?

I don’t know!

Because the husband was bound and determined to watch the 3D movie about the coral reef before they closed. So we ran to the theater, put on our plastic glasses and found a good spot to watch and take pictures.

Until this woman moved seats and put her head in front of my lens.

Rude. Very rude.

The Great Barrier coral reef?

Beautiful.

The Great Barrier coral reef in 3D after I moved away from the back of that woman’s head?

Stunning.

It looked like all these little things were reaching out for you….

And I swear the husband jumped a foot when he thought this fellow was right beside him.

Beautiful. No two ways about it.

So that was it.

We spent 8 full hours in the museum that day….

And were too tired to go out to eat.

Oh, stop screaming.

We got Chinese take out and went back to the condo.

The absolute worst Chinese takeout I think I’ve ever had… but there.

Still a food picture.

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Mariners’ Museum 4…. in miniature.

February 7, 2020 Rivergirl 17 Comments

The next section of the museum was fascinating if you’ve ever been a fan of model ships.

Growing up I had a friend whose father had a passion for it, and while his were lovely….

There were nothing like the ones on display here.

Case after case of fabulous ships.

Even the most famous ship of all.

Complete with icebergs…

There was even a model of a ……

Yeah, I had no clue what it was either.

Anyway you look at it, they were all impressive. But when the docent asked us if we’d been in the masterclass room yet…

I realized there was a whole other level of craftsmanship.

These models?

Were simply works of art.

The detail was almost unbelievable.

I’d never heard of Mr. Crabtree….

But my proverbial hat was off to him.

I can’t even imagine the patience it took to create these beauties.

They were exquisite.

And if that doesn’t knock your socks off?

Oh, come on.

That’s crazy!

Bravo August.

You certainly did that…

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Mariners’ Museum 3…. some sweetness and a little toilet humor.

February 6, 2020 Rivergirl 28 Comments

Yes, we’re still at the museum. But this post should make everyone smile.

Done with the Civil War Ironclad section….

Oh, stop. You learned something… and that’s never a bad thing.

We saw a large board filled with children’s drawings.

Every child that visits is encouraged to add one and some of them were wonderful.

We saw it too, and yes…. it was.

This one melted my heart for obvious reasons.

And this one made me laugh. They love the water, but have a ship marked with a big red X so the circling sharks can find them.

Nicely done little Peter Benchley.

And then, because I teased it on yesterday’s post…. some toilet humor.

Since we’d spent half the day exploring the museum, I had need of the ladies room where I found this on the inside of my stall door.

How great is this?

Not the latrine duty, that had to suck… but reading historic toilet facts while you’re on the toilet? Pretty great.

You don’t often find that kind of symmetry in life.

It must be celebrated when you do.

So you know I had to go stall to stall and photograph them all.

(Apologies to the woman in the last stall. I wasn’t stalking you… really. I just needed a picture.)

Ouch indeed.

Now that’s historical trivia at it’s best. Impress your friends the next time you play Jeopardy.

You’re welcome.

There you have it.

Proof positive museums can be fun.

Or at the very least, museum restrooms can.

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Mariners’ Museum 2… the movies, the Monitor and the turret.

February 5, 2020 Rivergirl 18 Comments

So class, yesterday we learned about the CSS Virginia and how most people call her by the incorrect name of…..?

The Merrimack.

Sure you do… you just haven’t realized it yet.

It’s okay. I’ll wait.

Today, we’re going to the movies.

In a surround sound theater that promised an ‘edge of your seat exciting’ depiction of the Ironclad battle.

“You’ll feel like you’re right there!” exclaimed the docent.

Yeah.

About that…

It was a cartoon.

An informative cartoon, I grant you…

But a cartoon all the same. And even with the rolling smoke that issued from the walls and floor…. I didn’t feel any more there than I did watching Bugs Bunny as a child.

Oh well, there were better things ahead.

Like the USS Monitor… famous for her spinning gun turret.

Is it me, or does that thing look like a drunken owl?

She was built in 100 days, which was an amazing accomplishment for the time.

And the museum faithfully recreated what the officer’s quarters looked like upon completion.

Not too shabby.

If a wee bit small.

There were lots of interesting artifacts to examine.

As well as photos of the men who served aboard her.

Of course, being me…. you know I had to find some reference to alcoholic refreshment.

And then, in the next section of the museum….

A replica of the recovered Monitor’s turret.

The original is currently on site and being slowly and painstakingly preserved. Read about it’s discovery and journey to Newport News here.

This was basically what it looked like on the ocean floor.

All that rusty metal! You know my other half was thrilled….

But one of the most impressive aspects of this museum’s exhibit?

A life size USS Monitor right outside.

Of course it was raining and they advised you not to walk on her slippery deck….

So that’s exactly what we did.

Stand on the bow of an Ironclad?

Uh… yes. I will!

Husband even rung the turret’s bell for good measure.

Cool beans!

And if that wasn’t awesome enough? Back inside and down a flight stairs….

Took you inside the turret.

And literally inside the ship itself.

Admittedly the engines and engineering diagrams were above my pay grade.

But the display really gave you a feel for the ship.

And my inner history nerd was sighing with satisfaction.

We did climb up to the observation landing to peer into the lab where the original pieces of the ship are being restored, but it was just giant vats of seawater with electrical current running through them.

Not very photo worthy, so I’ll spare you the shots.

Fear not.

The second half of the museum starts tomorrow…. and it will be a little more fun.

Here’s a little preview.

See?

Fun.

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Day 4…. the Mariners’ Museum

February 4, 2020 Rivergirl 17 Comments

If you’re not a fan of museums, or history, or naval war battles and the Civil War Ironclads?

Please feel free to skip the next dozen posts because that’s probably how long it’s going to take me to document this amazing place in Newport News, Virginia.

It was an overcast day that was threatening rain so I thought this would be a good choice. I had no idea what to expect and was ready to pay a large ticket price… so imagine my surprise when I saw this.

My first reaction was… man, this place must bite.

But oh, was I wrong.

Upon arrival this magnificent eagle greets you.

It’s a remarkable carving and was lovingly restored from it’s original perch on the bow of this ship.

Look closely, it’s there. And gives you some perspective of how large those ships really were.

Next up was a light.

But not just any light.

And if these were the items in the lobby?

I knew we were going to have a great day.

There are 2 distinct areas of the museum to visit, but being a Civil War buff? I had to choose this first.

The Ironclads.

If you know nothing about them? Hang on.

You will by the time I’m through with you.

Great.

Let’s continue….

Turning the corner, we entered this bizarrely blue movie theater that told the story of the Monitor’s sinking.

Turn another corner…. and there she was.

Right under your feet.

And by watching the films, you come to realize how truly dedicated these people are to preserving history.

I found it quite moving.

Around the next corner…

Some interesting artifacts and a glimpse into our Naval past.

I tend to read faster than the husband and am always a few exhibits ahead.

Interestingly enough most people think of the Battle of the Ironclads as the Monitor vs the Merrimack, but technically that’s incorrect.

This was the Merrimack.

She was originally a Union ship that was captured by the Confederates when Gosport fell.

She was damaged, but thanks to this man…

Would be overhauled, covered in iron plate and turned into the CSS Virginia.

The Confederate’s Ironclad.

This is the museum’s recreation of her outfitting.

And what she looked like upon completion.

The Merrimack no longer.

There, you’ve learned something.

Now that wasn’t so bad… eh?

No! Not boring.

It’s history!

And how many of your friends can say they’ve seen inside a Civil War Ironclad?

None, I tell you!

None.

But now you have…

And are sure to be the envy of all your neighbors at the next block party.

thank-me-later-5cc2e0

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Colonial Williamsburg…. the blacksmiths, a test drive, an oak, some cows and yes, food.

February 3, 2020 Rivergirl 36 Comments

Although I hated to end our day, the time was drawing near and my phone battery was gasping it’s last breath.

Naturally the husband had to see the blacksmith’s shop with all it’s rusty tools.

And we were both surprised to learn that women worked there as well back in the day.

So after test driving a wheel barrow…

A few more natural wreaths…

Some private homes…

More wreaths…

And a massive Live Oak that is supposed to have been here when George Washington walked these streets….

We said goodbye to the cows we saw on the way in….

And went back to the car where we had to charge my cell phone long enough for Trip Advisor to point us to our first dinner in Williamsburg.

I love that app.

And I loved this restaurant.

Come on…. they had blue jellyfish lights over the bar.

How could you not?

Cocktails? Check.

Their Orange Crush was made with fresh squeezed OJ and was fabulous.

Hushpuppies and cornbread let us know we were in the south.

And may I just say? I had no idea how much I missed hushpuppies until I started eating them again.

Yeeha!

Dinner was tough to choose.

Husband started with mussels.

And moved on to perfectly pan seared sea scallops with garlic smashed red potatoes and green beans.

Me?

I was in the south, baby! Bring me those low country shrimp and cheesy grits.

Lord have mercy….. they were the best thing I’ve eaten in months.

Husband had room for a New York Style berry cheesecake….

And then we called it a day.

Day 1.

You realize that, right?

It took me 8 posts to get through Day 1 of our two week vacation.

Oh, don’t be so dramatic.

It’ll be fun!

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Colonial Williamsburg… Shield’s and Wetherburn’s Taverns

February 2, 2020 Rivergirl 18 Comments

Now don’t get excited food people, these taverns were for touring not eating.

Shield’s Tavern was closed, but had something the husband wanted to photograph.

Men. I can’t explain them….

But the gardens out back were lovely.

And I enjoyed a stroll among the well tended shrubbery.

I think Edward Scissorhands would approve.

There were vegetable gardens…

And wreaths…

I even saw an old ball and chain gate closure.

And then down the road, we found Wetherburn’s Tavern.

Where we had a guide give us the history and a tour.

Taverns back in the day were far different from what you might think. Rooms were rented for private parties, balls were held in the great rooms, owners lived behind the kitchen and the upstairs served as a hotel.