the three hs
hot hazy and humid
I mean, haberdasheries, habitants, and history.
What did you think I meant???🤭
The weather was beastly. So hot and humid I could hardly function at first. Then gradually the old tricks came back, sort of like riding a bike. After all, I've lived in Tennessee and the DC area. And I survived. I may not love hot weather, I may not even like it, but I can live through it! Those skills of walking slowly (really more of an amble and certainly, no walking with intent 😱), of pausing in the shade to catch your breath, looking around taking in the sights (while thinking if I wait here a bit longer, I might be able to make it to that next patch of shade) and drinking some water, lemonade or ice tea every chance you get. Stopping and going into a building, whether you're interested or need to or not, just because it has air conditioning. Taking long breaks and lunches. And finally taking what you would normally accomplish in a day or afternoon, dividing by about four and if you're really, really lucky, that's about as much as you might be able to accomplish. 🙄 Keeping that in mind, we spent a couple of days in Colonial Williamsburg and one exploring a nearby plantation.
One of the highlights of going to Williamsburg from our campsite in Chippokes was taking the ferry across the James River in the morning and back again in the evening. Not only was it a moment of relative coolness, we witnessed some spectacular sunsets and had a perfect platform to view birds who thought the pilings were just the best spot ever for hanging out, drying off and nesting.
Osprey nest on the piling
Colonial Williamsburg, indeed the whole greater DC area, holds a special place in the hearts of Martin and I. It was where we courted and fell in love. ❤️ It was a treat, better than a treat, a joy to be able to go back and revisit Williamsburg (even if it was beastly hot). We had a traditional dinner at The King's Arm Tavern one night (again trips down memory lane ❤️)
and one at a brewery where we met a delightful family with two girls ages 6 and 9. They had lived in England for several years and were now in the DC area, (perhaps military?). The 6 year old was very precocious and a total hoot!
Welcome to Colonial Williamsburg!
For those of you who don't know, Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum, with several blocks of restored buildings, including over 80 that are original, spanning the mile from the governor's palace to the House of Burgesses.
Williamsburg was the first capital of Virginia before it moved to Richmond. They have recreated the "town" to represent life in the mid 1700s complete with residents raising their food and actively "working" their trades.
The apothecary shop
The blacksmith (note the sweat soaked shirt(!) I told you it was hot)
Again, note that everyone is standing or sitting in the shade
Even baby lamb is seeking shelter from mom.
Cooking over an open fire for large groups of people was hard work. Lots of pots and polishing and long handles were required in this climate. Much of the cooking was done by slaves and indentured servants in this time period, although it was "overseen" by the woman of the house or establishment.
more images …
I noticed that they've included more stories and awareness of the lives of the black population, Virginia was a slave state, and also the native Americans. I don't recall that emphasis in the past. Perhaps I'm more sensitive to it's inclusion or perhaps they've made more of an effort to be more inclusive as time has passed. After all, it was 40 some odd years ago! We've all learned a bit re: race relations in the ensuing years, I hope.
A Native American giving a talk about some of the cultural differences that may have led to misunderstandings and conflict with the Europeans.
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Berkeley Plantation
We also visited a plantation. We had seen one in Florida and hope to go to one in the deeper south later on in our journey so we wanted to see one in Virginia for comparison purposes. There were two we were interested in, but … with the heat and all, we felt like we accomplished a lot just going to one. If it hadn't been for Martin, I would have just stayed in the air-conditioned camper and slept! I was a bit, (ok, a lot) like a bear in spring just up from hibernation, only I didn't want food, just to cool down and wake up when it was over!!! We (ahem, Martin chose Berkeley Plantation). An excellent choice.
Berkeley Plantation, is one of the oldest plantations in the US. It is on the James River and was purchased by the Harrison family in 1691. I told you it was old! Benjamin Harrison V signed the Declaration of Independence and his son, William Henry Harrison, was our 9th president. For those of you with an interest in American history, (sorry dragging you all down that road 😂) Harrison was the oldest president elected (until Ronald Reagan) and the one who gave the longest acceptance address (over 8000 words) without wearing a coat, a hat, a scarf or gloves and who served the shortest term in office, 31 days. (Died of pneumonia, go figure. 🤔 🙄) Oh, and Tippecanoe was an actual nickname of Harrison's from a battle he fought. I always thought it was some made up nonsense word to use in the campaign slogan. "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too". 🤷 Who knew?
Other notables on the plantation:
the union army "occupied" the plantation, using it as a prison of war camp and hospital throughout the civil war
Taps was composed and played for the first time there
it has been used as the set for several films and TV shows; "Harriet", "Turned" and more.
The grounds were lovely with a sort of grand allee with large trees and gardens on each side that sloped gently down to the river ln a series of terraces.
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Our last night we had a whopper of a thunderstorm. Thought the trees were going to come crashing down on us and the rain was soooooo loud. Since this was our last night with electricity for a while, we put down the bed, popped popcorn and watched a movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes". Ok, I know it's not current, but it was free and it was fun. Besides, Martin had never seen it before and I'd forgotten how good Kathy Bates was.
🍿🎬📽️
Next stop: assateague island national sea shore ❤️❤️❤️
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