Virginia & Washington DC

Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown – October 2022

After leaving Maine, we headed south to Williamsburg, Virginia for four nights. Our goal was to visit three historical towns, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. It was a such a great few days. We stayed at the Wyndham Resort.

Dale and I arrived to Williamsburg and headed straight for the colonial era part of the city.

One of the first sites that greeted us as we entered colonial Williamsburg.

The governor's palace.

Still somewhat fresh after our drive down from Delaware.

The leaves that lined the streets were still in autumn mode.

There were many tours going on. You can walk around Colonial Williamsburg, but if you want to attend a tour or enter buildings you have to buy a ticket.

There were many buildings that lined the main street. I could imagine that it must have looked very much like this in the 1700s.

I liked the red door of this building.

This beautiful setting is in the cemetery of the three-centuries-old Episcopal church.

This lady looked very handsome in her period costume.

Govenor of the colony from 1768-1770.

I wouldn't mind living in this home!

This is from the common area of William and Mary University looking down main street.

The John Blair House, one of the oldest in colonial Williamsburg. I think he was the architect who designed William and Mary College.

Notice the costumed woman sitting next to the home. These employees made sure you had a ticket to enter.

I really enjoyed being transported back in time.

How miserable it would be to be locked in this!

A colonial man explaining the types of guns.

There were quite a few people dressed for Halloween.

I'm assuming this represented civil war era? There weren't any signs.

The Compton Oak, growing on the Court House Green in Colonial Williamsburg, is over 70 feet tall and 97 feet wide, with a trunk that is 14 feet around.

There were several bridges that made for beautiful photo opportunities.

On the coast of Yorktown. It's a small town that is basically one big historical park.

The National Park Service has an app that guides you along the tour route and explains what you are looking at. This is one of the stops on the tour.

Dale explores one of the many redoubts that were built and used by Washington's troops during the battle of Yorktown.

This is the Moore House where Gen. Cornwallis and Gen. Washington negotiated the terms of the surrender in October of 1781.

This is one of the many beautiful sights we enjoyed during the Yorktown driving tour.

These British canons were just a few of the weapons confiscated from the British when they surrendered to Gen. Washington in Yorktown. These are located at the spot where the surrender took place.

This boat was moored at the small Yorktown Harbor. It's not an exhibit, it's an actual sailing vessel that was looking for new crew members.

Dale discusses current events with George Washington on the waterfront of Yorktown.

Our guide pointed out gun shot damage to the wall of this building that was left from the civil war.

Our history ghost tour guide describes the original owner of this building.

Dale listens to the tour guide as we stand on the campus of William and Mary College.

The French play a major role in our victory at Yorktown. Some of those who were killed are buried here. Someone has put out fresh flowers.

Part of the beautiful Yorktown Battlefield driving tour.

This was built 100 years after the victory at Yorktown to commemorate the event.

The Colonial Parkway is a twenty-three mile scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown. It connects Virginia's historic triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown.

The Williamsburg tunnel was built along the Colonial Parkway in 1936.

Entrance to the main part of the settlement. There is an entry fee that gets you into the grounds and museum.

There is quite a bit of property to investigate at the Jamestown Settlement.

The tarps cover active archeological digs.

Some of the graves outside the church.

The refurbished exterior of the church.

A statue of John Smith overlooks the James River. On September 10, 1608, Smith became president of the council for the colony. He installed a policy of rigid discipline, strengthened defenses, and encouraged farming with his order that all must work or face starvation.

Location of the first Jamestown church.

The church was built in 1608, the year the settlers arrived. There are several graves in and around the church, including a knight. Pocahontas married John Rolfe here in 1614.

Archeologists excavated the church site and a reproduction was built on top. The original remains are safely underneath a hollow floor.

We had lunch at Dale House Cafe!

Faith was a central part of the settlers lives. The church was one of the first buildings erected.

This part of the church was the only visible remains of the settlement. When archeologists began digging, they found so much more.

This is the full skeleton of the 14-year-old boy. The missing bone in the chin area is because he had a rotten tooth that was so infected it slowly eroded his bone.

This is another forensic reproduction created from one of the skulls unearthed at Jamestown. He died when he was about 14 years old.

According to archeologists this skull was used by forensic sculptures to create the face you see. This is what she would have looked like. She died during the first winter when people were starving. Marks on the skeleton, along with the location of her remains, make it seem that she was eaten by the other settlers after she died.

One of the cannons at the Jamestown Settlement.

Geese were very common during our travels up the East Coast. It was not unusual to see them grazing in baseball fields and other fields. This was at the Jamestown Settlement.

This is a reproduction of the "Glass House" where Jamestown Settlers created glass products.

You can buy products made by the Jamestown employees at the Glass House.

The shore of the James River where the first permanent English settlement was located.

Mount Vernon, Virginia – August 2022

Michelle and I took a quick tour of President George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. We could have easily spent an entire day looking at all of the exhibits, buildings and overall plantation.

The home began as a one and one-half story house built in 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine Washington, and received its well-known name from his half-brother Lawrence Washington. George Washington began running Mount Vernon in 1754, and over the next 45 years slowly enlarged the dwelling to create the 21-room residence we see today. Take a look at Mountvernon.org if you are interested in finding out more.

George Washington's home. It was much smaller when he inherited it from his father. Over the years he added a second floor and room on each end.

The exterior is actually wood that Washington had etched to look like stone. Then it was painted with paint and sand to give it a stone-like texture. Even close up it looks and feels like stone. Our tour guide said most of the wood is original.

A view of the Potomac River from Washington's home, Mount Vernon.

This elegant room was a public space where visitors enjoyed the Washington family's company. Tea and coffee were customarily served here during the winter and on rainy days, and the household gathered here in the evenings to read, discuss the latest political news, and play games.

The dining room is part of the original house, built in 1734. While Washington was away commanding the Continental Army in 1775, it was updated under the supervision of his cousin Lund Washington. In 1785 striking verdigris-green paint was added.

The Key to the Bastille, given to Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1790, after the destruction of this infamous prison in Paris. George Washington put it here where it has stayed for more then 200 years.

The Chintz Room was inspired by the decorative arts of Asia.

This room is often referred to as the Lafayette bedchamber because it is believed that the marquis stayed here while visiting the Washingtons.

The Blue Room was one of the six primary bedchambers at Mount Vernon.

A guest room. They had many, many visitors. Most of them were not invited. The American people wanted to see him and would just come. Washington felt obligated to treat them as guests.

George and Martha's bedroom. Designed according to Mrs. Washington's suggestion that it be simple and functional, the room was also her sanctuary, where she planned her schedule and wrote letters to friends and family members.

Washington's office. The chair he sat in had a pedal underneath that would move a fan above his head. After his return to Mount Vernon at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783, the study became his retreat from ever-present family and visitors; a place where he could quietly and privately tend to business.

Washington bought this desk and had it shipped here for his retirement.

The kitchen was in a separate building. The cook lived above this space.

The Storehouse. Tools and other supplies were kept under lock and key here.

Washington's clerk had a room outside of the main house but near Washington's study.

There were many buildings that housed various tasks and tools.

A really old, and large tree. There were many beautiful trees on the grounds.

Forensic anthropologist reconstructed what George Washington looked like at age 19, 45 and 57. Based on their findings, this is what he looked like at age 19.

Forensic anthropologist reconstructed what George Washington looked like at age 19, 45 and 57. Based on their findings, this is what he looked like at age 45.

George Washington at age 57 when he became our first president.

Washington DC, Part II – August 2022

Our last weekend in Virginia we had family visit us from Texas. We had a grueling schedule to see as much as possible. Here is a few highlights from Thursday-Sunday.

A family selfie at our first stop of the day.

Old Abe and the family.

My grandmother's brother's name, Delmer Threadgill, was on the Korean War Memorial plaque. He survived WW II but was killed in the Korean War.

A quick kiss in the DC Memorial to the Great War.

Moving on to the next sight!

I forget whose house this is.

I still had energy at this point! Ha!

We covered a lot of ground on the first day!

The Washington Monument from the WW II Memorial.

Korean War Memorial.

The Korean War Memorial.

Walking around the Smithsonian.

Dale grilled burgers for us that evening.

Playing a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit. We weren't so good at the adult version, but the youth version was very enjoyable.

About to go into the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

D checks out the exhibits.

The Hope Diamond is in the Smithsonian. It is 45 carats!

The National Archives is behind them. We popped in there to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. No photography was allowed.

Enjoying the tour. We are in the bottom of the capitol. The pillars around us support the whole dome structure above us.

On Abraham Lincoln's base is Vinnie's name and the year 1870. Lincoln had met Vinnie before he was killed.

We could hear our tour guide through these headsets. There were several tours going on at one time in the same room.

Our relative, Vinnie Ream, created this sculpture of Abraham Lincoln. She was only 18 years old and the only female asked to do a sculpture for the Capitol.

Our relative also created this sculpture.

Good Ole Stephen F. Austin is representing Texas at the Nation's Capitol! Our tour guide said they call him "Stone Cold Steve Austin". Haha

There was a book about our relative in the Capitol Gift Shop.

Who's that cute couple in front of the Capitol Building?

The USMC Commandant's home is located at the end of the Parade Field at Marine Corps Barracks 8th & I.

The Capitol Dome is beautiful.

Riding the shuttle to the USMC Sunset Parade at Marine Corps Barracks 8th & I.

We waited quite a while for the Sunset Parade to start.

Marching on to the field.

The "President's Own" Marine Corps Band. They play for many special events including the presidential inauguration.

The Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps.

The Silent Drill Team takes the field at the Sunset Parade at Marine Barracks 8th & I.

We toured Ford's Theater on Saturday.

Dale and Michelle listen to the tour audio guide inside the theater.

This is what Ford's Theater used to look like.

Lewis Powell, one of the assassination conspirators, was supposed to kill the Secretary of State at the same time Lincoln was killed.

The pillow has Lincoln's blood on it. The door is the door that enclosed the theater box. His assassin opened it and shot him in the head at close range.

A view of the presidential theater box.

The theater booth where the president was shot. The cane chair and the sofa are original. His wife sat in the cane chair.

The bed in which Pres. Lincoln died.

A recreation of the railway car and casket that held Pres. Lincoln's body.

In the Ford's Theater Museum there was a display about our relative, Vinnie Ream, who knew President Lincoln and created a sculpture of home that is now in the Capitol Rotunda.

The front of Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was shot.

The outside of the home that Pres. Lincoln died in. It is located across the street from where he was shot.

Museum of the Bible

Perusing all the sites at the Museum of the Bible.

A note written by Watchman Nee "I want nothing for myself; I want everything for the Lord."

Waiting to go into the presentation.

Museum of the Bible

Museum of the Bible had an olive press display.

Asian food!

We continued our game of Trivial Pursuit after supper.

Ready for our visit to the Spy Museum!

Rectal toolkit. Yikes!

Dale's spy disguise is creative.

Spy Museum down, now for lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl.

Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street is a Washington, D.C., landmark.

Sausage and dogs!

The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is always interesting to watch.

Arlington National Cemetery

On our way from the unknown soldier tomb to JFK's grave.

Arlington House belonged to Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee. During the Civil War, the grounds of the mansion were selected as the site of Arlington National Cemetery, in part to ensure that Lee would never again be able to return to his home.

View from Arlington House toward the Washington Monument.

Front of Arlington House.

Eternal flame where Pres. John F. Kennedy is buried.

We concluded the day with another game of Trivial Pursuit, youth edition. I won!

Fredericksburg – August 2022

Our third weekend in Virginia we went to Fredericksburg, just thirty minutes away. We had hoped to tour four very important Civil War Battlefields but ended up seeing only Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

We followed a walking tour that explained all the stops along the Sunken Road. The NPS App provides so much info. So interesting!

Several homes like this one, the Innis House, dotted the east side of the Sunken Road where so much of the battle took place.

This cemetery, adjacent to the National Cemetery was used as a hospital during the battle. You can see the cannon and bullet marks on the cement gate pillars.

Even though the Confederates won the Fredericksburg Battle they were not allowed to be buried in the newly established National Cemetery, which is located in Virginia, a southern state!

The National Cemetery in Fredericksburg has some large beautiful trees.

Chatham House had beautiful gardens that were add in the early 1900s.

This is what Chatham House looked like about the time of the Civil War.

This is the view of Fredericksburg from the back of Chatham House.

The Union had to wait for pontoon bridges to arrive before crossing the Rappahannock River which gave the Confederates time to et settled in to Fredericksburg.

Chatham House was built in the mid 1700s and was used by the Union as their headquarters during the Battle of Frederickburg. This house had several famous visitors including George Washington, who grew up close to here, Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton, Thomas Jefferson and more.

Dale and I pack a lunch for all of trips and enjoy them where ever we can.

The large rock under the trees is the area where Stonewall Jackson was shot by "friendly" fire. He would day about a week later from pneumonia.

Stonewall Jackson's arm, which was amputated after the battle of Chancellorsville, was buried in the family cemetery at the home of J. Horace Lacy.

This is Hazel Grove where on the morning of May 3, 1863 Confederates concentrated fire from 30 cannons toward the Union artillery at Fairfax.

This is all that remains of a Catherine Furnace that was built in1840. It was instrumental in producing high quality pig iron that was used in the Mexican War and American Civil War. The furnace was abandoned in 1885. Stonewall Jackson's troops passed here during their march around Hooker's army on May 2.

It was obvious what state we are from!

Washington DC, Part I – August 2022

The first weekend in Virginia we spent Saturday in Washington DC. We took our time looking at the Navy Memorial, National Art Gallery and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

We attended the Woodbridge First Baptist Church. It was a very good message. We really miss Central in RR!

Dale in front of the Smithsonian Castle.

The Smithsonian Museums were good, and packed with people! It hasn't changed much since we were here several years ago except for a new display on infectious diseases. Give me a break.

One of the many beautiful paintings in the National Gallery of Art.

This veiled lady is all stone. It looks so much like fabric over her face!

Lunch at the art gallery cafe.

We took time to look at the constitution and declaration of independence.

The capital building behind us.

Yikes!

A work of art.

A sculpture of one of the Medici's I think.

I love the story of the prodigal son. Look at the ring and fresh clothes waiting for him.

The rotunda of the National Art Gallery.

We toured the Navy Memorial Museum and found Dale's dad's name in the ship's log. It was a good visit.

This is where you can go to see names on the ship's log.

Just me and the emancipator.

Washington Memorial behind us.

Who can resist a photo of a happy cow? The lady needs a shirt though.Ha!

I captured this on our way out of DC. God's handiwork is better than any human work of art!

Appomattox Court House National Historic Park – August 2022

On the last day of our drive from Asheville to Woodbridge, Virginia we visited the place where Lee surrendered to Grant. We spent several hours there.