This year Justin and I decided that we were going to mix things up a little bit. Instead of exchanging presents for Christmas, we decided to go on a five-day getaway. After months of brainstorming, planning, and saving, we settled on escaping to Williamsburg, VA for a couple days before making our way up to Washington, DC for the rest of the trip.
We left N. Augusta early Tuesday morning and made it to Williamsburg by early afternoon. We celebrated Christmas in Perry, GA just days before and were disappointed when friends to our north and east received several inches of snowfall the day of and after Christmas. However, the landscape for most of our drive to Williamsburg was still blanketed with several inches of snow. We were excited to see that Williamsburg itself still had about 8" of fluffy, powdery snow that showed no signs of melting. We were also happy that, because we arrived a couple of days after the snow, the roads were mostly cleared and were safe to drive on.
We decided to walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg for a couple of hours on the afternoon that we arrived before enjoying a hot meal in nearby downtown (and modern) Williamsburg. Our lunch, it should be noted, was not hot, since we packed a cooler full of sandwiches, chips, and drinks to save money on the trip.
After dinner, we explored some of the shops downtown before returning to the colonial area for the "Lighting of the Market Square" performance that involved costumed flutists, drummers, and fire. Afterwards, we made our way back the the hotel to the much-needed rest and relaxation.
Our plan was to wake up early enough to beat the crowds and roam Williamsburg freely without interruption. Clearly we had never visited Williamsburg at Christmas time. We arrived around 9:00am and the lines were already out the door. After purchasing our tickets we ventured in the direction the man at the counter instructed us, to load the bus that would take us to Colonial Williasmburg. As we approached the line that appeared to have been forming over night, we realized we could give up our dream of being uninterrupted and roaming anywhere freely. Since the line was outrageously long, we decided it wasn't that far of a walk and we weren't in the mood to be packed in a bus like sardines.
Despite the crowds, the decorations were beautiful - and the snow just added to the magic. Being from the South, I get pretty excited when the precipitation doesn't immediately form puddles of water. We studied the various wreaths and gathered ideas for our personal wreath next year. I thought it was interesting that many of the wreaths used oyster shells, along with dried fruits and flowers to add extra flair.
Most of the buildings were adorned with icicles - the real kind, not the Christmas lights you buy at Lowe's that certain individuals leave up all year long. After about the 15th photo of the 15th building with icicles, Justin finally started to make fun of my fascination.
We decided that our first stop would be at the recreated Governor's Palace. There was a 20 minute wait when we got there, and we figured it wouldn't be getting any shorter, so Justin held our place in line, while I ventured off to find more icicles. Our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and the inside of the mansion
made me want to be the governor's wife was breathtaking.
The entryway filled with dazzling arrangements of swords and guns that, according to our guide, would reassure the governor's friends and intimidate his enemies. I think Justin was more impressed with the solid walnut paneling that adorned the room.
As we made our way from room to room, we were even more impressed. We were in a rather large group as we toured the mansion, and within the group there was a small boy who clearly was not happy, hungry or sleepy, I'm not sure which. He was whining a little, but it wasn't loud enough to bother us, and to be honest we got used to it after a few minutes or so. However, when we reached the final room, it became clear that at least one other guest was not so understanding. A thin, blonde woman who appeared to be in her forties turned around, and with a scowl on her face, pointed a finger at the boy's young mother and hissed, "Get him out of here!" The young mother was taken aback and clearly not impressed with the stranger's command. I'm not particularly sure how the stranger expected her to react, but after a few angry exchanges, the stranger told the mother that she needed parenting classes, and the situation escalated quickly. After the stranger let loose a few words that would curl the ears of a sailor, the conflict finally ended when the boy's father threw his arm out swiftly to separate the feuding women. Who know, going into the mansion, I would witness such a juvenile reaction to a young child's whimper. The comments did not involve me, but I was slightly shaking after the encounter.
Justin's favorite part of the trip was the visit to the cabinetmaker's shop. On display when we walked in were a variety of furniture reproductions made in the traditional manner by the shop's interpreters. Justin probably spent an hour examining the tools they used, the wood they worked, and the furniture they built. The interpreters were very friendly and happy to answer his
many questions.
I didn't quite understand all that they talked about and the terminology they used, but I appreciated the meticulous carvings and the tiny dovetails of the cabinetry. I even learned something! I didn't realize that the furniture was built in parts by different people, not by the same hand. The drawer makers would saw the most delicate dovetails possible to avoid being outdone by the intricate designs of the carvers. Maybe I am meant to be a woodworker's wife. :)
Our next stop was to the blacksmith's shop where we got to see how nails and hinges were made. We continued on our way down the main street to see the silversmith, tailor, joiner, and the cooper. All were fascinating, but most were quite crowded.
Our last stop before retiring to our room was the congressional hall. Our guide was very animated and remained in character the whole time as he related to us the exciting news of the events of a summer day in 1776. He made it very clear why the United States chose to form a nation independent of "the tyrant George III". It was hard not to feel patriotic while sitting in the same site that the Founders of our nation met.
We went back to our room, showered, and changed into nicer attire and headed back out for a nice dinner downtown Colonial Williamsburg. The meal was scrumptious, and I do fear I committed the sin of gluttony, because I gorged myself with the unique tastes of the colonial period without leaving a single bite uneaten.
Well, it's getting late on my end and you're probably tired of reading by now. I will continue this blog and share the remainder of the trip (the Washington DC portion) when I log on tomorrow. :)
