Today is Friday, February 24th and although it was a beautiful warm day, we've had a storm move across the area and it's very windy and rainy. We knew this was coming in so we got an early start and went to the Jamestown Settlement. It was very interesting to learn about the group of 104 English men and boys who made a 4 1/2 month voyage from England to the banks of the James River to form a settlement. This was 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts and their main intent was a goal of making a profit for their backers in London. They hoped to find natural resources, etc. to send back to England. That goal took a backseat to pure survival as they learned about the harsh realities once they got here.
We also saw a Powhatan Indian village and replicas of the three English ships that brought these settlers to the new world. I must admit I'm glad I'm on the Queen Kathleen! I don't know how they survived a trip across the Atlantic in those small ships.
Tomorrow I'm taking another beading class to learn a different technique. Later in the evening, there's a gathering in the activities room here at the marina for Cajun night and I'm preparing red beans and rice.
Mike is anticipating leaving around the first of April to head north. This could change but we're beginning to plan.
I'm heading back to San Antonio on Tuesday for about 10 days and am looking forward to it because we're having a get together for all the girls - my sisters, daughters, niece and granddaughter. Should be fun as it's not often we're all in the same place. Mike will be batching it so we've loaded up on frozen dinners!
Beginning in the Spring of 2011, this is a story of a journey in our 36' Heritage East Trawler as we cruise The Great Loop, a circumnavigation of Eastern North America, along the shoreline of the United States and Canada - truly a trip of a lifetime.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Day 333 Gloucester Point
Today is Sunday, February 19th. Yesterday we went back to Williamsburg for the day and because it was Saturday, it was quite crowded. Once again, people were dressed in period clothing and we went to a one hour talk by a man dressed as Patrick Henry and speaking in the 1st person. I was amazed that he could talk so long without notes. Patrick Henry was an outspoken lawyer who stood up for our freedom from Great Britain. He had 15 children and 70 grandchildren! Next we went to a similar talk by George Washington.
We wandered around for quite a while, had dinner and went back to the Bruton Parish Church for an evening choir concert. It was a long day but very enjoyable.
Today after going to church with Mike, we drove around and ended up on a historic drive near Yorktown. We found ourselves on Surrender Drive which was by Surrender Field where General Cornwallis formally surrendered in 1781. Driving further we came upon Washington's camp where he had his headquarters. Also, we drove by numerous cannons which was where the French had their artillery park. There was a large white cross nearby which signified the grave of 50 unidentified French soldiers. It kind of gives you goosebumps to think about what happened here not so long ago. We have much more to see here before leaving.
We wandered around for quite a while, had dinner and went back to the Bruton Parish Church for an evening choir concert. It was a long day but very enjoyable.
Today after going to church with Mike, we drove around and ended up on a historic drive near Yorktown. We found ourselves on Surrender Drive which was by Surrender Field where General Cornwallis formally surrendered in 1781. Driving further we came upon Washington's camp where he had his headquarters. Also, we drove by numerous cannons which was where the French had their artillery park. There was a large white cross nearby which signified the grave of 50 unidentified French soldiers. It kind of gives you goosebumps to think about what happened here not so long ago. We have much more to see here before leaving.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Day 329 - Gloucester Point
Today is Wednesday, February 15th and I have been lax about adding to the blog but it's been pretty quiet here at the marina. We've been keeping busy with the usual activities and are leaving shortly for the gym. We discovered a new, closer gym right across the York River at the Coast Guard Station. The man who replaced the isenglass on our flybridge (the canvas top and plastic enclosure) told us about it the other day and since we have been going to Fort Eustis, this will save us about 20-30 minutes as well as miles.
The one outstanding event that occurred last Saturday was snow showers. I was upstairs in the boaters' lounge with friends and we heard a sudden wind outside. Looking out the window was an incredible sight! The storm hit so quickly and with such force that it was unbelievable! The place was quickly covered in snow and the temperature dropped immediately. The next several days were freezing but it's slowly warmed up. It's still too cold here for my taste but at least it's not freezing. We're beginning to get itchy feet and are anxiously waiting for spring so we can get on with our journey.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
The one outstanding event that occurred last Saturday was snow showers. I was upstairs in the boaters' lounge with friends and we heard a sudden wind outside. Looking out the window was an incredible sight! The storm hit so quickly and with such force that it was unbelievable! The place was quickly covered in snow and the temperature dropped immediately. The next several days were freezing but it's slowly warmed up. It's still too cold here for my taste but at least it's not freezing. We're beginning to get itchy feet and are anxiously waiting for spring so we can get on with our journey.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Day 316 - Gloucester Point
Today is Thursday, February 2nd. After being awakened yesterday morning very early by a loud noise on the dock, I discovered the noise was caused by a racoon trying to get cat food out of a small cooler. We have been feeding a marina kitty and keep the food inside the cooler. I looked outside and saw this huge racoon walking away and found the cooler upside down about 10-15 feet away. He was unable to get it open and you can tell he was frustrated because it had been banged around quite a bit.
Anyway, since we were awake, we got an early start to our day. We had planned to go to Colonial Williamsburg and went early which was a good thing because there's so much to see. As it turned out, we bought an annual pass and intend to go back a few more times before leaving the area. Every day they offer different things to see. The first thing we watched was "Order in the Court" which was a reenactment of an 18th century trial. The audience participated and Mike was up on the side of the judge voting whether the defendant was guilty or innocent. Very interesting.
Next we went to one of the homes there and the audience engaged in conversation with a black man dressed in period clothes speaking in the first person about what he endured as a slave. That was one of the best presentations we saw. After lunch we went into the Bruton Parish Church which was actually formed in 1674 and is now an active Episcopal Church. There was an extremely interesting volunteer there and listening to him was amazing. I actually sat in the seat where Patrick Henry always sat. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were regular attendees also. The church was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary and Civil wars and there are numerous graves beneath it.
We went into shops demonstrating wigmaking, basketmaking, a silversmith, etc. Afterwards we walked to the shopping area which is on the fringes of the College of William and Mary (which was founded in 1693 and may be the oldest college in the U.S.) and walked around a bit and enjoyed some yogurt. It was a very interesting day and I can't believe we waited this long to go there.
We have been contacted by a couple in the area who have been reading my blog and who recently bought a boat and plan to begin the Great Loop this spring. We're having dinner with them tomorrow night to share some of our experiences.
Anyway, since we were awake, we got an early start to our day. We had planned to go to Colonial Williamsburg and went early which was a good thing because there's so much to see. As it turned out, we bought an annual pass and intend to go back a few more times before leaving the area. Every day they offer different things to see. The first thing we watched was "Order in the Court" which was a reenactment of an 18th century trial. The audience participated and Mike was up on the side of the judge voting whether the defendant was guilty or innocent. Very interesting.
Next we went to one of the homes there and the audience engaged in conversation with a black man dressed in period clothes speaking in the first person about what he endured as a slave. That was one of the best presentations we saw. After lunch we went into the Bruton Parish Church which was actually formed in 1674 and is now an active Episcopal Church. There was an extremely interesting volunteer there and listening to him was amazing. I actually sat in the seat where Patrick Henry always sat. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were regular attendees also. The church was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary and Civil wars and there are numerous graves beneath it.
We went into shops demonstrating wigmaking, basketmaking, a silversmith, etc. Afterwards we walked to the shopping area which is on the fringes of the College of William and Mary (which was founded in 1693 and may be the oldest college in the U.S.) and walked around a bit and enjoyed some yogurt. It was a very interesting day and I can't believe we waited this long to go there.
We have been contacted by a couple in the area who have been reading my blog and who recently bought a boat and plan to begin the Great Loop this spring. We're having dinner with them tomorrow night to share some of our experiences.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)