Williamsburg in Spring

We have been looking forward to going back to Williamsburg since we were last there at the end of December.  Somehow it never gets "old" (ha!).  It is definitely one of our all-time favorite family vacation destinations.

The Governor's Palace (early morning, pre-tourists)

We were especially excited to head down there this time because we had seen Williamsburg in the fall, winter and summer, but never in the SPRING!  Our favorite Rev War reenactors also had some shopping to do to complete their "kit" for some upcoming events, and there are authentic, period items you can only get from the historic shops in the Revolutionary City, like the handmade items sold in the Prentis shop.

We stepped through the portal, and for a relaxing and blissful two days, we happily left behind the stress and trappings of modern society and strolled the unpaved streets, engaging in discourse with the Colonials, and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this incredible living history treasure.

Here are a few photo highlights of the trip:

Rare shot of one of our favorite houses--early am so no tourists!

Bruton Parish Church, 300 years old and still operating today (circa 1715)

One of the many carriages in Colonial Williamsburg

The fife and drum corp!

The Capitol

Spring might be our new favorite season at Colonial Williamsburg.  Not only was the weather perfect, the flowers were in full bloom, and they were absolutely spectacular!

Fragrant lilacs in full bloom

We even joined the angry mob that was gathered on the Palace Green to watch James Innes and his militia prepare to storm the Governor's Palace, demanding the return of the gunpowder Lord Dunmore had seized from the town's magazine in the middle of the night.  

We caught up with the dashing, flirtatious young Colonel Innes, one of my (oops . . . ) OUR faves, later in the day for some cordial conversation, and Samuel captured a quick "sketch" of the moment for the memory books. Huzzah!  

We also wandered around a bit on the campus of the College of William and Mary, founded in 1693, making it the second oldest institution of higher education in the US (Harvard, founded in 1636, is the first).  What a beautiful campus, and it definitely captured the eye of our oldest aspiring historian/history professor.  We are counting this as his first unofficial "college visit," and it might be among the contenders for his college applications in the not too distant future.

Wren Building, College of William and Mary (circa 1695-1699)

Lord Botetourt statue in front of Wren Building

We even got to take on an official role as revolutionary spies for Thomas Jefferson by playing RevQuest.  See the separate blog entry by our youngest corp member for a "tell all" of the important spy work that was undertaken during our stay there.  Rumor has it we helped save the revolution!