Yorktown, PA

Yorktown, the battlefield of the final battle of the Revolutionary War.
The entrenchments are still there, and protected to preserve them for future generations.

The Yorktown Victory Center is a living history site with re-enactors including a military camp.

The Colonial Farm was a small enclosed vegetable garden with seashell paths.

Grinding herbs.

Hannah volunteered to help with firing the cannon.
Unfortunately, both cameras ran out of battery, so I didn't get a photo of the cannon firing,

This military guide was demonstrating how to load and fire his musket.

Of course, Robby loved the weapons demonstrations.

Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement is a living history site with a very well done museum (sorry, no photos were allowed inside) along with re-created Powhatan Village, James Fort, and three reproduction ships. We had a great time in all the exhibits.

The re-created James Fort had lots of old style houses.

Interpreters were in some of the dwellings, with excellent accents.

Crushing corn in a Powhatan hut.

Nice.

Cannons pull Robby right in, every time.

The kids were unsuccessfully trying to lure the chickens out from under the bush.

Great view down to the Ship wharf.

The weather was not the most pleasant. Hot and rainy.

Entering the ship's hull,  the wind blowing up through our hair was fun.

The rain really started coming down.

We took shelter under a canopy, where a guide was demonstrating the Ship's Log and Knots.

Peek-a-boo!

We love books.

Richmond, Virginia

We stopped very briefly in Richmond Virginia, the southern Capital of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. We walked a bit in the historical part of town, and saw several listed buildings, including the Confederate White House. It was closed by the time we got there, so I just got pictures outside, and one peek in through the glass on the basement door. 

Robby loves maps, I think it makes him feel like he's looking for treasure.

This was one of several working gas street lamps.

So many historic buildings, it is a wonder to us Californians.

There was a neat museum of 20th Century items. I loved this WWII era dress.

The timeline on the floor was a really great feature.

Confederate White House, Richmond, Virginia

The columns were massive.

The lower entrance hall to the Confederate White House. Notice the no photography sign. Ooops.

Long Day.

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is amazing. Thanks to the Rockefeller fortune, and a 1781 map which was discovered in the 1920s, the historically correct restoration of the town was made possible. There were over 70 historical buildings, many needing extensive restoration, and dozens of buildings to remove. It really is a spectacular accomplishment.

There is a bronze diorama map of Williamsburg from 1782 outside the Visitors Center.

A bit blurry, but you get the idea. This diorama in the Visitors Center was beautiful.
In the foreground is the Palace Garden, which we did not get to see.

The costumed workers were charming.

Robby pretending to pull up water from the well.



The Blacksmith shop was Hannah's favorite, and even though it was
 rediculously hot in there, she did not want to leave.

I think I'd like one of these at home.



This giant tree was over 70 feet wide, and made great shade on the hot day.



Boys and big guns, 'nuf said.

There were lots of Swallowtail catterpillars. The garden worker said they take them off the parsley,
and put them on the leaves of root crops, as the damage they do to those leaves doesn't affect the harvest.



So hard to keep a straight face when trying to look like a guilty bad guy.



Hannah found a hat with a ribbon the exact shade of pink as her dress.

Robby running across a big open green. Youn can just see Bob and Hannah
 coming out from the shade of one enormous tree.

Hannah was trying to capture the flittering butterflies with the camera.

Assateague Island, VA

Next to Chincoteague Island is Assateague Island, which is a National Wildlife Refuge.

Apparently that also means it is a bug refuge, and we got our first mosquito bites of the trip.

They have a pretty nice Visitors Center with displays, a wildlife viewing area, and a theater where you can request videos.

The video the kids selected was the Kratt Brothers Wild Ponies. Turned out to be a very early video from 1993. It was quite funny to watch them bumble through the video, when they were obviously so new to being on camera.

After the Visitors Center we went to the beach.

When looking online earlier, I found that
shell collecting is permitted on the island,
but they limit how many shells you can take.

Only one GALLON per person!

We laughed, wondering why on earth anyone would collect a gallon of shells.

The water was so nice and warm, a comfy 72 degrees. Compared to the 50 degree water at home on the Pacific, it was so pleasant. We just giggled when a couple got their feet wet and said "brrrrr."

There were beautiful kites flying, birds at the waters edge, and even a small pod of dolphins in view.

We spent about an hour on the beach, and got back to the car with our shells,

all three gallons of them.

Grin.

Greeting the Atlantic Ocean

Kites

I think I'll make this my wallpaper when I get home