In May, Ted and I found great airfare to Williamsbury and used a "Getaway" week through a timeshare company to get a week's condo vacation for under $200! Sweeeet!
We stayed for 6 days and it was way to short, but with the kids in school (staying with champion friends, the DelCurtos) we didn't want to be gone too long. Next time we need about 2 weeks or more to cover that part of Virginia as well as Washington DC, which we were eager to visit, never having been to our nation's capital.
Here's a few photos (out of hundreds) of Washington D.C.
Washington DC. Smithsonian museum #1...
We toured the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History and the American History museums. We just loved it! We love traveling together and rekindling our life as a couple! :)
This was the absolute best lunch I've ever had! We took this just to remember it. I had a lavendar dressing on a gourmet salad and a luscious chicken salad sandwich. This cafe is in the gardens of the Smithsonian Museum of Art.
Korean War Memorial; very touching to see these soldiers walking thru land-mine fields.
WW II memorial. Every state has a wall with a wreath (right behind the fountain).
We did not know how many Smithsonian Museums there are! We are already planning to go back in 2 years, (with the kids that time) to see the rest.
Ted's big moment...
I walked into this butterfly room that was full of gorgeous butterflies. Ted thought that would be too close for comfort, so he stayed outside waiting for me to get my butterfly fill.
Nick FAVORITE animal: the megalodon. These jaws are from one the prehistoric sharks that "ate 30 foot whales" which Nick has us trained to say :)
After being in Chile a few years ago, we had to take a photo with this Easter Island Moai guy.
The capitol, Senate close up.
Big Abe is REALLY big. It was inspiring to see him and to read all the quotes around the rotunda where he sits. His love of freedom, reliance and faith in God, the American people was obvious in the words we read; we love 'honest Abe'--what an exemplary leader and man.
One of my favorite museums: the Halocaust Museum
After having been to one in Jerusalem back in 1988, this was the first museum on my list. We spent hours inside and saw and heard amazing things that truly seem impossible to have happened in the world. Yet we saw the photos, the propaganda movies, the PILES of shoes, parts of the crematoriums, and so much more. We bought some books and talked with a Russian Jew who survived the Halocaust who was in the bookstore signing a book he wrote about it. Of course, I bought it.
More Smithsonian museums
We did not know how many Smithsonian Museums there are! We are already planning to go back in 2 years, (with the kids that time) to see the rest.
Ted's big moment...
I walked into this butterfly room that was full of gorgeous butterflies. Ted thought that would be too close for comfort, so he stayed outside waiting for me to get my butterfly fill.
Nick FAVORITE animal: the megalodon. These jaws are from one the prehistoric sharks that "ate 30 foot whales" which Nick has us trained to say :)
After being in Chile a few years ago, we had to take a photo with this Easter Island Moai guy.
The capitol, Senate close up.
Big Abe is REALLY big. It was inspiring to see him and to read all the quotes around the rotunda where he sits. His love of freedom, reliance and faith in God, the American people was obvious in the words we read; we love 'honest Abe'--what an exemplary leader and man.Favorite Abe quote:
"Most folks are as happy as they make their minds up to be."
Jefferson Memorial, statue inside. Also VERY tall!
One of my favorite museums: the Halocaust Museum
After having been to one in Jerusalem back in 1988, this was the first museum on my list. We spent hours inside and saw and heard amazing things that truly seem impossible to have happened in the world. Yet we saw the photos, the propaganda movies, the PILES of shoes, parts of the crematoriums, and so much more. We bought some books and talked with a Russian Jew who survived the Halocaust who was in the bookstore signing a book he wrote about it. Of course, I bought it.
Washington Monument
Ted trying to engage in conversation with General George Washington.
We ate at this pub during a rainstorm and had this view before we finished. Ahhh, we were missing New England in the extreme during this whole trip: the trees, the trees, the smells, the old architecture, the patriotism, the water. We were tempted to look at houses! :)
This is very remiscent of Porstmouth, NH's bridge over to Maine...what nostalgia!
Jamestown militia celebrating the arrival of the British to Jamestown
These musicians were playing real 18th century instruments and it was gorgeous!
Ted and his great, great... grandmother, Rebecca Matoaks (Pocahontas)
This condo had jacuzzi tub, fireplace, 2nd balcony looking out to the forest (love), and very nice kitchen and den. We got it thru Interval International:to find some fabulous vacation places and resorts--check out their website! www.intervalworld.com
Fashion hats from the 1800s...
Near Williamsburg, VA is a town where "the decisive battle of Independence was won"
Yorktown.
Here are a few photos to show how beautiful this little town is:
Yorktown Harbor
Ted trying to engage in conversation with General George Washington.
We ate at this pub during a rainstorm and had this view before we finished. Ahhh, we were missing New England in the extreme during this whole trip: the trees, the trees, the smells, the old architecture, the patriotism, the water. We were tempted to look at houses! :)
This is very remiscent of Porstmouth, NH's bridge over to Maine...what nostalgia!
We got to Jamestown, VA on the anniversary of the British's arrival to this country. They had a bunch of actors portraying John Rolfe's mother (Pocahontas' husband) and other early settlers. We even heard there was going to be a smal reuion of Pocahontas' descendants...and we (Ted, being the 11th great-grandson of Pocahontas) showed up! So cool!!!
Jamestown militia celebrating the arrival of the British to Jamestown
These musicians were playing real 18th century instruments and it was gorgeous!
Ted and his great, great... grandmother, Rebecca Matoaks (Pocahontas)
This condo had jacuzzi tub, fireplace, 2nd balcony looking out to the forest (love), and very nice kitchen and den. We got it thru Interval International:to find some fabulous vacation places and resorts--check out their website! www.intervalworld.com
Fashion hats from the 1800s...
Williamsburg doesn't feel to kindly about intruders...
Hats (Caps) For Sale
(anyone read that cute kids book about monkeys and caps)
People dress up in Williamsburg every day in the old, cobblestreet part of town
and you can tour the old churches, artisan shops, etc.
We took a "Ghost Tour" one night and heard long-supported stories about ghostly damsels in distress, Indians boys schooled who lived in the buildings of the College of William and Mary, and other ghostly folks that are rumored to still be around. The guy took us out late at night with a black lantern in the drizzling rain and told us stories for 2 hours. Once he changed his voice from soft to really loud and Ted cried out--it jarred him and it was HILARIOUS! But since Ted knows a couple of people who have had "ghosts" in their houses so he was taking the tour VERY seriously.
One of the oldest churches in the nation, 1781.
I just loved this cottage and the huge fireplace.
and you can tour the old churches, artisan shops, etc.
We took a "Ghost Tour" one night and heard long-supported stories about ghostly damsels in distress, Indians boys schooled who lived in the buildings of the College of William and Mary, and other ghostly folks that are rumored to still be around. The guy took us out late at night with a black lantern in the drizzling rain and told us stories for 2 hours. Once he changed his voice from soft to really loud and Ted cried out--it jarred him and it was HILARIOUS! But since Ted knows a couple of people who have had "ghosts" in their houses so he was taking the tour VERY seriously.
One of the oldest churches in the nation, 1781.
I just loved this cottage and the huge fireplace. Our first day we walked all around the cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsbury, where the College of William and Mary is located. The streets were full of charm! Outdoor cafes, quaint shops, super old college campus, great architecture, etc. We really loved it and would love to have a permanent vacation planned for that part of the country. In the Spring (when we went the climate was perfect) or even better, the Fall!
In our dreams we would travel with the kids all year long--all over the world!
