Get-Away to Colonial Williamsburg

Before the wedding is upon us and the guests start to arrive, Adam and I are taking a little trip to Virginia, to visit a place dear to our hearts.

 For Christmas Adam bought us annual passes to Colonial Williamsburg, but we couldn't get up here until now. We couldn't leave the farm untended, but right now we have a kid at home, so we skedaddled! 

Standing outside the Governor's Palace gardens

I'll just post more photos and add captions when needed.

Visitor Center, large and well-organized

Governor's Palace, where the shuttle bus first takes you

a magical avenue behind the Palace

a maze, viewed from a high mound with the old ice house beneath it

The carriages were fun to view even for those who did not ride.

We enjoyed the Palace Green.
Colonial Williamsburg was quiet and uncrowded today.
Adam's hope was to relive some fond childhood memories.

happy campers

The Wythe House. Mr. Wythe was Thomas Jefferson's law teacher.
Jefferson's love of science and nature was derived from this man.

"No Stamp Act" the tea pot says. 

This massive basket! It was in Wythe's laundry house.

Mr. Wythe's vegetable garden was stunning. His plants were huge for this time of year!

 My favorite location was the weaver's shop, as you'd expect. Here are some photos from that shop. I chatted at length with the spinner; she was so helpful and informative about cleaning fleece and how to use combs effectively.

 Their wheels are made by craftsmen at Williamsburg who use the antique wheels in their museum's collection as models.

The weaving room was so impressive! They use wool from their own sheep on site. The loom on the right is warped with very fine thread. The pattern loaded is from a scrap of paper found in a London flat about to be demolished! 

 Here's the cloth pattern from that London flat. The fabric on that loom is the first time that pattern has been recreated for hundreds of years.

 This is their Great Wheel.

 And here are the fabulous combs she uses. Adam eyed them well in case he decides to make me some.They make combing/dizzing the fleece so easy.

 And here's her diz, made from a piece of horn from a craftsman in the town.

 The Bruton Parish Church (Episcopalian) is lovely. We had a nice chat with a member there. I'd love to attend one of their musical services or return at Christmas.

 This podium for reading the Lesson was given by Teddy Roosevelt.

 Adam's daddy was stationed at Fort Lee, Va. years ago. Adam came to Williamsburg with his Boy Scout troop when he was ten years old. They attended church at Bruton Parish, and Adam sat in this pew, #12.

 The taverns are lovely. This is upstairs in the Josiah Chowning.

 Full meals are quite expensive at the taverns, so we decided to drop in mid-afternoon when it was slow, and just have a "flight of ales" and a bowl of chips.

 Even though there were empty tables, they seated us with another couple, an aunt and her nephew, and we enjoyed a lovely chat with them.
The old trees are a delight.

 Before my feet gave out entirely, we ended our first day with a tour of the Everard House, which is celebrating its 300th anniversary. I couldn't resist a photo of Mr. Everard's bed.

We ate dinner at a cheese steak shop and spent the night at an Air B&B for the first time! That's a novel experience, staying in a stranger's home and basically renting a bedroom. But it was fine. We don't sleep well away from home.

Today we return to Williamsburg. We'll see the inside of the Palace, visit the bakery, and spend a good big of time in the museums, strolling along the streets and viewing the craftsmen in between. I might slip into the weaver's shop again.