Going "Old School"

Our wanderings took us down to Williamsburg, Virginia in early May with a two-fold purpose:

• Our main mission was to accomplish our high school junior's first official college visit (at a REALLY old school, which inspired the title of this blog post), and 
• We also wanted to take an opportunity to spend more time in and around the Historic Triangle, one of our fave destinations, before we move back to the West Coast.

William & Mary, founded in 1693, is the second oldest college/university in the country.  

Our college-bound, revoluntary-war-reenacting history enthusiast has narrowed down his search to about a dozen colleges and universities, and William & Mary is pretty high on the list because it offers a Colonial History degree!  

There were several hundred other students at the Saturday campus tour and information session, but it  clearly wasn't W&M's first rodeo, and they managed to herd, corral and lasso the students with ease and efficiency.  

The campus is beautiful and historic, and our enthusiastic tour guide did a great job of giving us a feel for campus life and the rich, time-honored traditions that members of the "tribe" hold dear.  

Tucker Hall, one of the Academic buildings

Lots of beautiful trees around campus

Thomas Jefferson started school here in 1760 (at the age of 16!)

The Wren Building (c. 1695-99; restored in 1931 to what it looked like in 1732)

Cupola on the Wren building

The Brafferton (c. 1723; originally erected as an Indian school)

We were all a little wide-eyed after we finished the tour.  Much to consider; the reality of him heading off to college very soon was dawning.  But he's excited, and that's all that matters, right?  Who knows, maybe he has found his tribe?  Time will tell.  

After the tour, we headed in the direction of nearby Colonial Williamsburg, grabbing lunch at The Cheese Shop in Merchant's Square and pausing only briefly for a quick autograph from Thomas Jefferson along the way.

O getting TJ's autograph while he has his quill handy

Knowing this might be our last time to Colonial Williamsburg in quite a while, we tried to take in the things we hadn't seen or done before as well as enjoying a few of our favorite things there. 

Weaving cloth used throughout Colonial Williamsburg

Ox cart slowly lumbering through town

Williamsburgians taking a moment to enjoy the nice afternoon

Chatting with Robert Prentis outside his fine shop

Quaint colonial courtyard

One of our favorite backyard views

Tulips!!!  We were so happy to catch some of the beautiful flowers still in bloom.  

We also had the good fortune to catch a musical performance commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare.  Called "Well-Tuned Sounds:  Music from Shakespeare's Time," the performers went through an amazing repertoire of English Renaissance music that would have been heard during the Elizabethan era and they also conveyed a great deal of history . . . and of course, they played it all on period instruments like the Cittern, Lute, Viola da gamba, Recorders, Fiddle and Tambourine.  It was quite a musical treat!

On our second day in Colonial Williamsburg, our reenactors donned their "kit," which is something they've always wanted to do while down there (not the military-style gear that they wear with the First Virginia Regiment but instead their "civilian attire").  The "impression" they were trying to make was that of a father and son who were "middlin'" folk (i.e., farmers) who came to town to discuss trade with the locals.  Those of us who were still in the 21st century hung back and enjoyed watching them explore the town and interact with the citizenry.

The visiting farmer and his son

In front of the courthouse

One of our favorite cottages

The Governor's Palace

Although they are pictured by the front gates of the Governor's Palace below, if they had showed up dressed as they were to make an inquiry or seek favor, they would not have been allowed to enter through the front gate.  "Middlin'" folk were usually ushered around the back and would likely have been received in the kitchen where they would have made their business known.

Main entrance to the Governor's Palace

Exploring the grounds and gardens behind the Wythe house

Backside of the Governor's Palace

In the gardens behind the Governor's Palace

Waiting to tour the Wythe house

Engaging in political discourse with James Madison

Exchanging colonial quips with Mr. Innes

Another thing on our Historic Triangle bucket list was to get back to Jamestown one last time.  We visited the Jamestown Settlement (state park) on a trip east in 2007, which is a recreated settlement that is near where the original settlement is located.  However, we we had never seen Historic Jamestowne (the NPS site), which is located on the actual site of the first permanent English settlement in North America dating back to 1607.

Jamestown Memorial Church

Memorial to Captain John Smith

Historic Jamestowne is still a very active archaeological site, with new discoveries of the original settlement being made regularly.

Reconstructed palisade fence at James Fort, just a few feet from the James River

Memorial to the settlers that died in the early years of the colony

Tercentennial Monument (c. 1907)

Paying respects to Pocohantas

One last thing I'd mention for others in the military is that we finally got a chance to try one of the Navy Getaways properties that a friend had told us about, and we loved it!  The Navy has a property in Yorktown called Cheatham Annex, which is just a few minutes from Colonial Williamsburg.  We rented a comfortable two bedroom cottage right on the water with all the necessary amenities for a very reasonable price.  Bring your mosquito repellent because there's water (and bugs) everywhere, but the views and setting are spectacular.  We would highly recommend it!

View of sunrise from our waterfront Cheatham Annex cabin

Stay tuned for more East Coast "bucket list" adventures to come before we begin our epic journey west in a few months!