DC lessons in photographs

The one thing I learned during our time in Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Mount Vernon was that being adept at farming and hunting kept the family going. The people of those times were clever and adaptable at their hard work. The simple elegance of the time was offset by the idea that slavery and indenture were an accepted part of life.

Day four:

Welcome to Williamsburg

 

 

We visited the armory, a tin smith and the blacksmith. The tin smith and blacksmith are working and producing authentic items used in Colonial Williamsburg.

 

 

We held court in the capital building and were immersed in the sounds, smells and authenticity of the jail and our guide made sure we understood the harshness of all aspects of life in the 18th century.

 

The kids learned how to play without technology and they dug it!

 I found that green was a very popular room color in colonial times. That works for me!

 

Jamestown-the first English settlement in America:

 

This obelisk marks the actual location of the settlement near the river and at the top is an osprey nest. It was a profound thought that people, having no idea what to expect and how they would survive had the tenacity to persist and persevere.

I am grateful to them for their efforts in the beginning of our country. From here the world would know of the USA and democracy.

 We had a very enlightening tour about this fine vessel, which is absolutely sea worthy having just returned from a coastal voyage a few days before. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to travel for weeks in this or one similar from England to establish a colony in this strange and unknown country.

 

We also had the chance to see how a musket was loaded and fired. It was so loud I cannot imagine how anyone could hear after engaging in a battle with these weapons. It really served to bring home how very different this time was and how amazingly anyone could have survived.

 

 

 Mount Vernon:

I loved this the best. I was so delighted to be where George and Martha Washington lived their lives and to experience the beauty of this magnificent home. Although the examples of the use of slaves was distressing, the fact that Mr. Washington took care of them and provided for many of them when they no longer were able to perform their duties due to age or infirmity was reassuring.

 

This is the beautiful home of our first president. It is as grand and beautiful as it appears and to view it for myself first hand after seeing many photos was a thrill. George Washington lived here, loved this home and it reflects his design and desires as a country gentleman.

 Melissa and I are pictured at the entrance of Mount Vernon, and were two of many who had a photo of this type taken. What a joy to be there with my daughter and enjoy a brilliant day in the Virginia countryside.

Yes it is Martha Washington greeting visitors and sitting on the veranda which faces the Potomac River. As we sat in the row of chairs lining the rear of the house the view is unparalleled as you can see from the photo below. The lawn slopes down to the river and in the distance is Maryland. It is no wonder that the Washington's loved this locale and desired to be no where else.

 

 We wandered beside the groves and vineyards as we walked to the tomb of our first president. He and Martha are buried in a beautiful red brick mausoleum that daily has ceremonies of wreath laying. I was honored.

 

 

 

Following this stop we ventured to the Slave burial grounds where there is a stone marker erected in honor of those who died there and are buried on the grounds. It was moving.

We took a boat trip up the Potomac to Alexandria, where we had dinner in a most delightful and remarkably decorated restaurant called King Street Blues. Then back to the hotel.

More to come. Mr. Lincoln is waiting.
-N