Who Knew We Were Virginians?

[Wicket's Mom]

I hate when parents let their kids run wild! I've seen kids do those sorts of things at antique places. When we were showing at a historic village kids would grab stuff, get on the beds, etc. you can bet your life I wasn't tactful at times!

 

[Woth2982]

These photos of the Palace are amazing! Everything is so well preserved! I wasn't even there and that bratty kid is annoying me! I can't imagine how everyone on the tour with him felt. I had a similar child on the plane ride back from California behind me. Kicking my seat, slamming the tray table up and down for 6 hours! I said something to the mother and she pretended not to speak English, then every time after that she was "sleeping", yet I would hear her chatting with her other child or husband (he was opposite her) in English. I snapped a few times.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The palace looked amazing. What a shame that the parents just let their kids run while. This so reminds me of the experience that we had at dinner on the first half of our back to back cruise in May.

Corinna

 

[natebenma]

Claire's hat is adorable!!! Really great for keeping the sun off her face.

The seafood restaurant you went to sounds amazing!!! Glad you were able to finally find a decent meal and I hope you have more during the rest of your trip.

Wow! Love all of your photos from Williamsburg- especially the gardens, the Colonial kitchen and inside the palace. My boys would love the weapons wall!!!

on your pokey family

on the bratty kid(s) and

on clueless parents!

We had a field trip come to the farm this summer and just as the kids were getting ready to board the bus to go home, one kid who was out of control threw a rock through one of the original 200 year old windows in the newer part of the farm house.

The parents weren't there, but the chaperones were mortified!

 

[scottny]

I would have said something to the parents or asked the guide if he could remove the kid and his family.
Great pics.

 

[tazdev3225]

I must have missed the part about the reason for the weaponry on the walls. Of course I am hard of hearing and miss those things.

I loved the gardens. They were in full bloom when I was there in July. The basement area really was very cool and a great way to escape the heat for a couple of minutes.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I must have missed the part about the reason for the weaponry on the walls. Of course I am hard of hearing and miss those things. I loved the gardens. They were in full bloom when I was there in July. The basement area really was very cool and a great way to escape the heat for a couple of minutes.

The weapons were on the wall to showcase George lll & England's power & might. It was to discourage any ideas of attacking the government. The citizens had weaponry, but nothing like the governor of Virginia. It really is an awe inspiring sight.

 

[jenseib]

I hate when parents let their kids run wild! I've seen kids do those sorts of things at antique places. When we were showing at a historic village kids would grab stuff, get on the beds, etc. you can bet your life I wasn't tactful at times!

I do to. It does amaze me how people just let kids touch things they shouldn't. I did a lot of eye rolling on the tour. I think the back of the parents heads had burn holes in them from people glaring at them.

These photos of the Palace are amazing! Everything is so well preserved! I wasn't even there and that bratty kid is annoying me! I can't imagine how everyone on the tour with him felt. I had a similar child on the plane ride back from California behind me. Kicking my seat, slamming the tray table up and down for 6 hours! I said something to the mother and she pretended not to speak English, then every time after that she was "sleeping", yet I would hear her chatting with her other child or husband (he was opposite her) in English. I snapped a few times.

So frustrating. I mean I know kids are not perfect and kids have different personalities, but at least try to do something about....make an effort. At least an effort teaches the kid the right from wrong.

The palace looked amazing. What a shame that the parents just let their kids run while. This so reminds me of the experience that we had at dinner on the first half of our back to back cruise in May.

Corinna

I remember you writing about that!

Claire's hat is adorable!!! Really great for keeping the sun off her face.

The seafood restaurant you went to sounds amazing!!! Glad you were able to finally find a decent meal and I hope you have more during the rest of your trip.

Wow! Love all of your photos from Williamsburg- especially the gardens, the Colonial kitchen and inside the palace. My boys would love the weapons wall!!!

on your pokey family

on the bratty kid(s) and

on clueless parents!

We had a field trip come to the farm this summer and just as the kids were getting ready to board the bus to go home, one kid who was out of control threw a rock through one of the original 200 year old windows in the newer part of the farm house.

The parents weren't there, but the chaperones were mortified!

She loved the hat, but of course now at home it's not "cool" to wear it around. LOL

Holy cow. What ended up happening with that then. I mean you can't really replace a 200 year old window. I bet that kid had some detention time.

I would have said something to the parents or asked the guide if he could remove the kid and his family.
Great pics.

You know, many times I would too. I guess I was on good behavior. LOL
I did to a lot of glaring at the parents though, along with just about everyone else.

I must have missed the part about the reason for the weaponry on the walls. Of course I am hard of hearing and miss those things.

I loved the gardens. They were in full bloom when I was there in July. The basement area really was very cool and a great way to escape the heat for a couple of minutes.

There was so much info to take in too. It was hard to hear and remember it all.

The weapons were on the wall to showcase George lll & England's power & might. It was to discourage any ideas of attacking the government. The citizens had weaponry, but nothing like the governor of Virginia. It really is an awe inspiring sight.

Yes. They said they had a hard time actually starting a war because the colonist had next to nothing in the way of guns and ammo.

 

[jenseib]

We next headed up the stairs to check out bedrooms.



The tile on the fireplace was very fashionable for the time.



We mainly got the story of the last Governor to live there. He was very corrupt. His daughters hated living here and felt the house was too small and something a peasant should live in. Basically they were spoiled rich girls. When the revolution started, I believe he sent them back to England in a roundabout way with his wife and then he went into hiding.

I was very proud that Claire found this all very interesting.

















I really liked the red on the walls in here.







Claire loved the toilet.







And back down the stairs we went.



Mr. Brat was still putting on a show and I really have to hand it to our guide. He was so patient and tactful. Sadly the parents didn’t understand that their child (and at time children) was being unruly.





I can’t remember if this was the ball room or if the next room was.



Mr. Brat did try to open the door to the next room and he got another tactful scolding from our guide. I think the parents were now starting to get it as they held on to him more, which of course he absolutely hated.







While we were in here is when I started hearing more chatter from others who had just about had it with Mr. Brat and his siblings. We were enjoying our tour, but it would’ve been so much better if they had just taken the child outside, or at least one parent. Sometimes you just have to do that.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Yes, that room was the ballroom. I missed seeing a ball when were there, would love to see one. They are ticketed events held in the evenings.

 

[jenseib]

Yes, that room was the ballroom. I missed seeing a ball when were there, would love to see one. They are ticketed events held in the evenings.

That would be fun to go to.

 

[jenseib]

On to the final room.









In hear we heard more history about the Governor and the kings and about the people antsy to start a revolution. Some people asked questions and it was all very informative. At one point, Mr. Brats parents were now holding him as he was just going nutso and of course he started screaming. I think at this point they finally exited after a few minutes of blood curdling screaming. I think everyone had a sigh of relief when they exited and our guide even said something witty that we all laughed about.

Finally it was time to say goodbye, but we could ask him questions if we had any.
Well my Dad did. Mom said the whole time he kept asking her this question and she told him to ask the guy, so he quickly found the guy as we left and talked to him. I really don’t know what the question was, other than it had something to do with guns.
I found this kind of funny though. Remember, my Dad did NOT want to come on this trip, be decided last minute to drive? And now he’s all interested in everything and asking questions.

We wandered outside while Dad talked with the guide.









The tour was fantastic, even with Mr. Brat and family. I can only imagine how much better it would’ve been if they had not been there. I am sure by going in with different guides you will get different info as well.


Time to move on!



We were now hungry and decided to head down the market area (I think it’s called that) to get some lunch. The cheese shop was on our list to try.

I love this house …..someone actually lives there!



So we looked at the Cheese shop and it was packed. I believe they had people lined up to the door. We decided to head across the street to a restaurant on the corner that had both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu looked good, but the wait was really long. So we went next door and the place was empty. We were seated right away. I guess this should’ve given us our first clue.

We looked at the menu and it was basically all sandwiches, which is fine for me, but not for Claire who will not eat a sandwich unless it is peanut butter and jelly.

So we ask for a kids menu when the waitress comes and she says no they don’t have them and had a smug smirk on her face. Ok then. I ask for the soups of the day and sadly neither are ones Claire would eat. So then she walks away and we look things over and decide to order Claire a Turkey sandwich, but with no bread or anything, just basically plain turkey.
Miss friendly comes back and we ask about getting the turkey sandwich plain with no bread and she says no. What? You can’t get us just plain turkey? NOPE! Sorry we don’t allow changes to anything.
My Mom gives her a glare and says I guess we won’t be eating here then and we all stood up and walked out. That girls eyes got so big and her mouth dropped wide open. LOL
My Mom doesn’t cuss too often, but when we got outside she called that girl a B word! She laughed that the girl was shocked we got up and left. But she was just nasty. I am sure if I asked for a manager, we could’ve gotten plain turkey.
Oh well, we are still hungry and just decide to grin and bear it and went into the cheese shop. We left Dad outside to watch for a table to open up and us 3 girls went in and made our orders.
It was crowded, but it really didn’t take too long for the food to be ready. We shopped around the store while we waited. It was hot in there with so many people though.

When we came out, Dad had a table. He said not long after we went in a table opened up and he snagged it. He said he was waiting with a few other guys who all had the same duty…watch for a table.



Claire was in corndog heaven.



I got a turkey sandwich and it was wonderful. And I am sure it was much better than it would’ve been at the other restaurant.

We had a nice leisurely lunch. After lunch we headed separate ways. Claire and I were going to do some shopping and Mom wanted to look in different shops.



I think Claire and I bought a magnet or 2 and headed out and wandered a bit.









We decided to head into the church and take a look.

 

[dolphingirl47]

That palace really is amazing. I would love to have the first bed in my house and I love the colour of the ballroom. I can't believe how inflexible your server at the first restaurant was and I am glad that you managed to snag a table at the cheese shop.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

That palace really is amazing. I would love to have the first bed in my house and I love the colour of the ballroom. I can't believe how inflexible your server at the first restaurant was and I am glad that you managed to snag a table at the cheese shop.

Corinna

I know. it was so neat to see all of this. I love touring places like this.
yeah that server was AWFUL!!!!!!!!

 

[jenseib]

Into the Church we went. Even with construction on the outside, we could still tour the inside.















Claire had to try out a pew.



This is very different than the modern day churches. The politicians also had preferred seating here.

We wandered around a bit and listened to some of the history being given and then we headed back outside.









We had a good time just wandering around.





And another stop at a bathroom. Yes we used every single one of them there this trip.



Another residence. I just love all the houses.





The Armory.



Which Claire and I decided to tour.



This is not for the faint of heart as you had to walk up several steps to get there.







I found it all very interesting, but Claire didnt, so after a bit, we went back down. Plus is was a bit crowded up there too with not very many spots to stand without blocking the stairs or being in someones way.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The church looks so plain, but is also really beautiful. I think I am with Claire on the Armory. I don't think I would have enjoyed this either.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

The church looks so plain, but is also really beautiful. I think I am with Claire on the Armory. I don't think I would have enjoyed this either.

Corinna

It was pretty basic, yet it was really neat inside too.

 

[jenseib]

We left the Armory and found some people having some fun.



They weren’t very good at it and kept laughing.





And on we went.



I love the horses.







We met up with the family here. We decided we would leave and take a break before coming back in the evening for the ghost tour. We had a lot of fun today and explored quite a few more things. We really enjoyed the Palace tour (even with Mr. Brat and family.)

We called Amanda and told her to meet us and we would be taking the bus up to the visitor center.
We weren’t there long and she pulled up. I let her drive back to the Marriott and boy that was a thrill ride. She was a wild and crazy driver! I do think we got off track at one point too so we had to do a U-turn. Which is funny because Suri (on my phone) would tell us “Make U-Turn at Light” or something along those lines. I just found it kind of funny.

I believe I took Claire swimming again for a bit and maybe a little nap as well. Dad laid on his couch bed and watch the same thing he watched the whole trip, the channel that played Williamsburg info and history. He had to have it all down by heart by the time we left. I did watch it off and on and it was very interesting, but not updated. It had a segment about a plantation that has been closed for several years now ….which is sad, as it was a gorgeous place from what I have read about in the past.



Also, isn’t it funny how Dad never wanted to visit this place, yet he was hooked on learning the history of it?

After our afternoon break, we got freshened up and headed back to Colonial Williamsburg. We took the bus back to the historic area and got off at the 2nd stop.










We made our way to check in for our ghost tour at Shields Tavern. We had to use the restroom, so they directed us to go inside and downstairs to use it and then we could go to the back of the tavern to wait for the tour to start. There was a group of kids checking into eat. We think it might’ve been prom or some sort of special dance because they all appeared to be high school age and dressed up quite a bit.
I am sure this tavern serves great food. (it was one we never did get to try), but it had an old smell to the place. Now a lot of places did, but this one seemed worse than the others for some reason. I just wonder why these places don’t get aired out at all with windows open and such. Or maybe it was just a bad night.







We had arrived early, so we had to wait a bit, but finally it was time to start the ghost walk.



This lady was very passionate about it and lots of fun. She told us some ghost stories about the Shields tavern. One being that one time a manager and dishwasher left one evening after turning off all the lights and shutting the place down. They took an underground tunnel out to the back and when they got out they saw an upstairs light was on. The manager went back to turn it off and came back through again, only to find the light back on. I guess she did this a few times and saw a figure in the window as well. They knew of one ghost in particular that liked to play jokes and she went back a final time and told him to please stop playing games with her as she was tired and wanted to go home and when she left the light stayed off.



After a few stories, we moved on.



On other thing our guide had told us was to check our pictures out later one and if we were still in the area, let her know if we got anything interesting. She says many people will get orbs, but some have had boots show up in a picture where no boots were at, things like that. Amanda quickly told me to take lots of pictures as she was hoping we would get something.

We headed out towards the Capital next.



She told us a story how someone had been taking her picture at this point one time, when it was a bit darker out, and the lady was flicking one picture after another and then showed her the pictures. There was an orb working its way towards the guide and then as it got next to her the next picture was completely white, like the orb overtook the picture and then the next picture was perfectly fine.

We then got a few Capital ghost stories. I don’t remember them exactly now, but one involved a lady who has been seen in the balcony of the court room several times and they have looked up her history of who they believe her to be and she was hung for a murder they are now sure she didn’t commit.

This was all so very interesting ….and not too scary …as this was the family tour.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank goodness you were able to enjoy the tour despite Mr. Brat and family being in attendance. I understand that kids can get antsy, not pay attention, want to touch things, etc. but parents really should get a handle on the really rowdy ones.

Oooh, I am super super super excited to hear all about the ghost tour and I'm anxious to see if you caught anything on your camera. You know that I have quite a few ghosts that I work with every day and I'm not talking about my pale skinned boss. Hunter went to one of the most haunted places in America back when he was in middle school. (http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/)He said it was "kinda freaky". I passed by it but can't get anybody in my family to stop. They are all fraidy cats.

 

[jenseib]

Thank goodness you were able to enjoy the tour despite Mr. Brat and family being in attendance. I understand that kids can get antsy, not pay attention, want to touch things, etc. but parents really should get a handle on the really rowdy ones.

Oooh, I am super super super excited to hear all about the ghost tour and I'm anxious to see if you caught anything on your camera. You know that I have quite a few ghosts that I work with every day and I'm not talking about my pale skinned boss. Hunter went to one of the most haunted places in America back when he was in middle school. (http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/)He said it was "kinda freaky". I passed by it but can't get anybody in my family to stop. They are all fraidy cats.

My sister and I both loved haunted type things, so it was a must do. We went family friendly because of Claire, but she informed me after she would be fine to do the regular ghost walk next time. I was glad to hear that because she can be a fraidy cat at times. In fact she refuses to stay overnight with anyone now a days because she is scared....and she sleeps with all her lights on. She has from day 1. Even as a baby she would scream everytime I turned the light off and forget about driving at night. She would scream and scream until we got home.
I'm gonna go check that link out.