Colonial Williamsburg Walks

We love taking long walks in Colonial Williamsburg.  There are benches if we wish to stop and rest or have a snack or people watch.  We park our car nearby and head to the Duke of Gloucester Street that travels from William and Mary down to the Capitol.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt called the Duke of Gloucester Street "the most historic avenue in all of America."

If you wish you can take a ride in a horse driven coach.  Grayden asked me if I wanted to do that this trip, but I told him that I would prefer walking if he didn't mind.  Maybe one day it would be fun.

The streets are closed to local traffic and it is a walker's paradise.

Colonial Williamsburg employs interpreters to bring history alive for guests.  They engage with guests in most interesting ways keeping in the period of the eighteenth century of colonial times.

The Coach and Livestock Department takes care of the animals that live and work in Colonial Williamsburg.  There are sheep, oxen, and horses that need pastures and attention. 

I couldn't help snap a few of the trees that were turning colors.  My goodness, I do love Autumn!  How about you?  

There are so many photos to share, but I will save more of them for later posts.  Thank you for stopping by!

"If I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. "  George Eliot

 

 

Celebrating Fifty-five Years

Do you have a place that just feels right to visit over and over again?  Grayden and I feel that way about visiting Colonial Williamsburg.  It's only a couple hours away and always feels right for us.  I've written many posts here about this area and will hopefully continue to do more in the future.  For our 55th anniversary we both agreed that a trip to Colonial Williamsburg would mark this major milestone wonderfully.

The weather for our 10 day getaway was amazingly beautiful for October.

The clear blue skies greeted us as we walked daily along the streets that are so lovely and remind us of a time long ago.  

The gardens are always lovely to check out.  Williamsburg's climate allows an abundance of lovely flowers and vegetables to thrive before winter sets in.  This garden had many leafy greens such as kale and lettuces along with beets, radishes, and onions.

There were pots of rosemary, thyme, and oregano.  Notice the wattle fence.  They always intrigue me.  I find them a brilliant use of materials found in the garden.

I noticed a very interesting plant that I had never seen growing before.  When I first noticed it I thought it was celery, but the leaves were all wrong.

The plant above is Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)!  It's in the artichoke family, sometimes referred to as the Artichoke Thistle.  It is native to the Mediterranean area.  It will grow in zones 7, 8, and 9, so it is quite happy in zone 7 of Colonial Williamsburg.

Behind the lovely homes of Colonial Williamsburg one is welcome to walk the gardens.  This lovely garden was full of beautiful St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) and Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana) plants.

 

Colonial Williamsburg is a photographer's paradise.  Home after home is a feast for our senses.  The foundation that takes care of this large living museum takes great care to keep the area vibrant and interesting for all who visit.

The Fife and Drum played on the green with the Compton Oak as the backdrop.  This group has played in Colonial Williamsburg since 1958.  Young men and now young ladies are allowed to try out for the group that is taught by fellow members.  Each uniform is accurate down to the buttons on their uniforms.  They echo the Fife and Drum Corp of the Revolution that actually was the communication system before present day technology telling the military the next advance.

It is sobering to realize that young men such as these had a role in the revolution.

Many of the trees were beginning to put on their Autumn colors.  Going to Colonial Williamsburg in October to celebrate our anniversary and our birthdays was a great choice for us!  I have many more photos of our time there and hope to share them soon.

If I Were a Pumpkin

If I were a pumpkin,

I'd crawl about the ground,

I'd pick a rich compost area to dig my soul into,

I'd tell my blooms just wait and find just the right place to show your fruit,

Just climb and climb until you reach the spot,

Where comfort will ensue,

I'd sit upon my throne and let you know my color when I feel the time is due.