Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement

So after Christmas we went to the historic triangle. As always it was beautiful though the weather was fickle. Day one was splendidly warm, but day two was bitterly cold. Day three was somewhere in between with lots of rain.

 This is the kitchens at the Governor's Palace. It's incredible what can be made in a fire place. All of the food you see is real and authentic to the period. It is made during their daily demonstrations. He was in the middle of making a chocolate cream pie. Like most palatial homes in the day, the kitchens are separate from the house.

 Stuffed beef tongue.

 An impressive display of weapons in the Governor's Palace.

 This is the public magazine (armory).

 Alright, so the young man sitting behind Reagan is named Edward. He was a jovial lad who came in to socialize with the diners at the tavern. Reagan was quite taken with him and was constantly flirting, as much as 4-year-olds can anyway. She insisted on getting a picture with him. After a while he and his companions left the dining room. A few minutes later we noticed that Reagan had gone missing and we went out to find her and there she was, sitting with Edward and his friends in the foyer just like she belonged there and was part of their game. After we left she said, "Mommy, I really like that guy." It was cute.

 And the highlight of the trip was getting to meet General George Washington! Well, as close to the general as we will get in this lifetime. He implored us, as colonists, to refrain from the purchase of English goods and to look for local goods to fulfill our needs. He assured us that if we would all do this then England would be forced to acquiesce to our demands and he didn't foresee it taking longer than a month or two. After that he planned to retire to his beloved Mt. Vernon and spend the rest of his days as a farmer. Well, what else could he have expected in December of 1774?
On a side note, the actor portraying George Washington was absolutely brilliant! After his little speech he opened up for a Q&A. This man knows more about Washington, the colonies, and the revolution than I could ever hope to learn. He must have read every book there is to be had on Washington. He was phenomenal!     

 After two days in Williamsburg, we spent the third at the Jamestown Settlement. So those familiar with the triangle can tell you: there are two Jamestowns. One is the actual site of the old Jamestown Fort. There is a museum, some replicated buildings, and several excavation projects. The Jamestown Settlement is located just a few miles from the Jamestown Fort and has a museum and replicas of the Fort, the American Indian village, and the ships. I had previously been to the former so I was excited to see the Settlement for the first time. I feel that both are wonderful and worth visiting should you ever get the opportunity.

 This is Reagan testing out the sailor's berth on the Susan Constant.

 Annabelle and Papa Lowry in the crew's quarters aboard the Susan Constant.

 The Godspeed and Discovery.

 Below decks of the Susan Constant.

 Reagan checking out the armor in the Captain's quarters.

 Ethan, Abbi Grace, and my little conquistador.

 Godspeed.

Discovery. They were both closed to the public at the time of our visit.