A Little Day Trip from Williamsburg

When we were in Williamsburg a fellow told us about a new to us restaurant we might want to consider trying.  It's always nice to have good seafood while in the Tidewater area.  Grayden suggested we give it a try.  Going to this restaurant we would need to take the free Jamestown to Scotland Ferry across the James River to Surry county.  It's always fun to do that!

Light rain was falling as we headed to the car ferry that would carry us to Scotland, Surry County.  The Virginia Department of Transportation operates this ferry.  There is a lot of talk about ending this service and building a bridge to take its place.  The gentleman we were talking to told us that the folks in Surry do not want this at all.  I can understand this would really change the rural area that is here.

 

The gulls and the cormorants sat perched on the pilings as we drove onto the ferry.  

To the left of the ferry entrance is the Jamestown Settlement.  The recreated ships of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery are visible from our car.  If you visit Jamestown Settlement you can come aboard these recreated vessels that sailed from England in December 1606 and arrived in Jamestown in May of 1607.

We passed the other ferry that was returning from Surry County.  Virginia Department of Transportation owns four ferries that run back and forth.  The Pocahontas and The Powhatan can carry 70 vehicles.  The Surry and The Williamsburg can carry 50 vehicles.  The ferries were running on their Fall schedule ---every half hour.

After exiting the ferry we drive a short distance to have lunch at Surry Seafood Company.

We were happy to see patrons enjoying their meals.  It's always a good sign to frequent a place that has local police officers eating there in our opinion.  My Daddy always said that and included truck drivers as well in the mix.  

We were seated at a window overlooking Gray's Creek.  We ordered the seafood platter that was quite delicious!  I'm sorry to say I didn't take a photo of our crab cakes, scallops, shrimp, and fish.  I guess I was too hungry!

After lunch we decided to take a walk along the dock behind Surry Seafood Company.  

As we walked down to the floating docks Knockout Red Roses were in bloom.

The floating docks gave us a good view of the Surry Seafood Company and Inn.  Gray's Creek is obviously navigable as we see sailboats along with other small boats.

We both enjoyed seeing the mooring ropes so neatly positioned by very good sailors.

As we walked back to the parking lot we spotted a large Purple Martin House.

Purple Martins are swallows that rely solely on bird houses to nest and are dependent on them for survival. They prefer nesting in colonies so that is why you see the many houses in one spot offered.  If you have spent any time around water you have hopefully seen their acrobatic antics and their sweet chattering.  This particular house was installed and monitored weekly for citizen science study by the Virginia Master Naturalist Historic Southside Chapter. 

Taking a little day trip from Williamsburg added to our celebration.  Thank you for joining us!

 

Williamsburg Groundhog

 During our time in Williamsburg, Grayden and I stayed in a condo next to a golf course.  We had a patio that we enjoyed in the afternoons after touring around the colonial area.  The weather was so lovely and warm we would enjoy a snack and a tea or coffee while relaxing.

The view just beyond the golf course was a lovely habitat for birds and I'm sure critters that we didn't see.  What we did see on most all of the days there was a groundhog!  I know--Did you see the Caddyshack movie about a groundhog on a golf course?

Well here is our friend the groundhog!  There was a line of oak trees and tons of acorns under them!  After reading about groundhogs I've learned they gorge themselves all summer and stop eating after the first frost before retreating to their underground burrow until spring.

It was fun to watch this fellow getting his fill.  Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks and whistle pigs.  The term woodchuck was derived from the Algonquian name "wuchak", "wejak", "otchek."  These terms mean fishers.  The term whistle pigs is used in Appalachia.  It comes from the fact that they use a high pitch whistle sound to warn other groundhogs of danger nearby.

Groundhogs are actually members of the same family as squirrels.  These marmots are in the same family as chipmunks and prairie dogs.  Groundhogs can weigh up to 15 pounds.

We guess that our little friend weighed near that weight.  Their burrows are often used by other animals.  Foxes, skunks, opossums, rabbits, and raccoons make themselves at home in their burrows if given the opportunity.

Groundhogs are mainly herbivores but have been known to eat insects and grubs.  

Groundhogs are truly among a small group of true hibernators.  Our Groundhog Day started because of a German tradition of watching the badger emerge in spring, but  the badger is totally unrelated to the groundhog.  

 

We enjoyed our daily viewing of this little fellow.  Thank you for taking a look at him.