Who Knew We Were Virginians?

[udflyer00]

Now I've been on couple Disney Cruise ships and you barely feel the ship move, but when you're finished that's all you feel is like the world is moving... I couldn't imagine how much these boats would bounce and roll crossing the ocean... I'm with you Jen i'd have to hang over the edge!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

That ship really looks amazing. I don't think I would have liked crossing the ocean in it though.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Now I've been on couple Disney Cruise ships and you barely feel the ship move, but when you're finished that's all you feel is like the world is moving... I couldn't imagine how much these boats would bounce and roll crossing the ocean... I'm with you Jen i'd have to hang over the edge!!

Total Barf city!

That ship really looks amazing. I don't think I would have liked crossing the ocean in it though.

Corinna

I am note even sure I would want to sail across a big lake in one of those.

 

[scottny]

The church is nice.
Nice outfit on the lady with the gun. LOL
Love the ship.

 

[jenseib]

The church is nice.
Nice outfit on the lady with the gun. LOL
Love the ship.

I thought that too. I was wondering if she was supposed to look more like a man?

 

[jenseib]

We also learned they emptied the chamber pot off the front of the ship. It may sound odd, but the ship is being moved by wind and sails…and the wind is coming from the back of the ship, so if you threw it off the back, it would blow back at you.







While we were down there, there were kids running around and goofing off. Parents were not watching the kids either. And sure enough one kid fell down the steps. And the parents came running and then proceeded to yell at each other for not watching the kid. So in otherwords….no one had been watching the kid. The staff was helpful and the kid wasn’t hurt too badly, just more scared.






After having our fun on the ships, we moved on.



The rest of the family wanted to go to the fort, so they headed that way. Why they didn’t go while Claire and I were on the ships, I have no clue.



Claire and I walked back up towards the main building.









Claire and I sat down outside and waited. I think I did some texting and catching up on emails. We got through the place faster than I thought we would. We should’ve bought the ticket for Yorktown too.

Once the family caught up with us, Dad wanted to look through the gallery some more, but none of the rest of us did, so he went off and we went to get some drinks, did a little shopping in the gift shop and then sat out front enjoying the day. It turned out to be kind of hot. Claire bought a bow and arrow and just had a ball with that.





I went off and looked at each of the state plaques upfront. They were in the order of how the states were admitted into the Union. I do not remember the order now, but I was surprised that Virginia wasn’t the first one. I believe it was 10th and Delaware was the first state. That just seemed odd to me. And it was a good 10 years after the Revolution before it became a state. I think Ohio was something like 17th and Michigan was somewhere in the mid 20’s. Each plaque had a bit of info and it was interesting to read.

After a bit of reading, I went back to the table and Dad still had not come back and everyone was getting antsy. Dad does not text and is famous for turning off his phone for some odd reason. I did try calling him and it went straight to voicemail. That made Mom mad, because she figured he had his phone off again. But in fairness all over Williamsburg cell service was very spotty. I was sent in to find him and I was lucky to walk right in and spot him. I figured I would have to look all over to find him. He said his phone was on and never rang. We walked out and headed back to the resort then. Everyone was tired and we talked about taking naps before dinner when we got back.
Claire wanted to go swimming. Somehow we elected Dad to take her. He wasn’t too thrilled about it. I told him to just let her swim for a set amount of time and then give her a 5 minute warning and then about 10 minutes later you tell her to get out. He was sure this wouldn’t work, but I told him I had faith in him.
When we got back I sat in the gazebo a few minutes while Claire ran up to get her suit on. I had my friends the carpenter bees swarming around and I tried to get some pictures. Those buggers move fast.





I then went in and took a nap and Claire and Dad went off to the pool.

I think I slept about an hour and it was nice. I don’t nap a lot of vacations, so this was a nice treat.
Dad told me Claire made some pool friends and when he told her it was time to leave she didn’t get out immediately….she ignored him. LOL. Well she did get out eventually and I told him you just have to be firm and tell her she has to leave now or no swimming for the rest of the trip.

Dad laid down then and all of us girls decided to go to the outlet mall down the road. We did a bit of shopping and Claire got some things at the kid gap. I got her a really cute shirt and Mom bought her a dress and a short outfit.
We then called dad and asked if he wanted us to pick him up to get dinner or if he wanted carryout and he went with carryout.
We headed down the road looking for a spot to eat when Claire declares she has lost her sunglasses. UGH! We figured it had to be at the Gap because she had tried some clothes on there. We turned around and Mom and Amanda went in to look and I decided to search the car a bit better. Sure enough I found them in a hidden compartment and I called them and let them know we found them.

Back on the road we decided on Cracker Barrel. It was a nice decent meal, but if I remember right we had a very slow waitress. This seems to be a theme for us a lot lately.

We left nice and full and headed back to the resort and just lounged around for the evening. Dad and Claire played with her new bow and arrow and they were having such a fun time with that. I think the Sisterhood of the Traveling pants was on once again and Claire watched it into the wee hours of the morning while I drifted off to sleep.

 

[dolphingirl47]

This sounded like a great day. It also was a reminder for me just why I don't like travelling with other people. All this waiting around for other people would have driven me crazy.

Corinna

 

[Kathy Jetson]

It took me 3 days but I read the whole tr!.

When we went to Williamsburg we were there for 3 days and only did BG all 3 days (and that still wasn't enough for River) I wish we could have stayed longer and did CW and Jamestown he really likes that kind of stuff. I showed him your pics of the ghost walk and the orbs and he thought that was the coolest thing ever and wants to know if we can go there now.

I plan to stay caught up for the rest of the tr.

 

[jenseib]

This sounded like a great day. It also was a reminder for me just why I don't like travelling with other people. All this waiting around for other people would have driven me crazy.

Corinna

Yes. I am not good with waiting on others. Yesterday Mom mentioned about getting flights, etc yestereday and I said I am going to book what works for us and they can do any flights they want. I just don't want to be tied to something that may not work as well for me. And I like to get their early with an earilier flight. That isn't what they always like to do. And my husband is the same way too. He likes late flights down and early back. He is crazy too.

It took me 3 days but I read the whole tr!.

When we went to Williamsburg we were there for 3 days and only did BG all 3 days (and that still wasn't enough for River) I wish we could have stayed longer and did CW and Jamestown he really likes that kind of stuff. I showed him your pics of the ghost walk and the orbs and he thought that was the coolest thing ever and wants to know if we can go there now.

I plan to stay caught up for the rest of the tr.

Yay!!!!
Yeah, Claire wouldn't have gone for 3 days at BG. LOL But like I said, we just don't do the big rides at all.

 

[jenseib]

April 19, Day 7

Today was the day we planned to visit Plantations in the area. I had done a little research online and found several in the area, but a couple peaked my interest more than others. I also found out later, that many didn’t even show up online in a general search and in the future I will look more into it so I can see some others.

The night before we discussed it and Amanda decided she didn’t want to go now. She was worried we wouldn’t be back in time for our dinner reservation. I think she thought we would just hang at the resort, but this was one of the highlights I had really wanted to do this trip, so I said I would still be going. Mom wanted to go but I think she just decided to stay back with Amanda, as Amanda wanted to spend time with her and then we decided to let Claire stay back and catch up on some sleep.
So it was just going to be Dad and I heading out bright and early to see the plantations.

Dad and I got ready early and headed out. Our plan was to get to the furthest one out at opening. Then we would work our way back. Mom had said as we got closer back she would like us to call and pick he up to visit the last plantation on our list. Our plan also was to eat lunch while on the road. Well…plans always sound good in theory!

We headed out and I think it was about a 40 minute or so drive to Shirley Plantation. I was amazed at how many plantation signs we saw along the way. Some were just landmarks, some now bed and breakfasts and some were ones you could tour and I had not seen them listed online. We also noticed that it was pretty much country out here and no where to find lunch at this point that we could see.
I believe Shirley opened at 9:30 and we arrived around 9:15. This guy came right out to great us.



I am a germ-a-phobe with cats and I did pet him, but then quickly used hand sanitizer to clean my hands. He kept coming back to me and I went to pet him again and he was freaked. I guess he did NOT like the smell of my sanitizer. He then became Dad’s good buddy and followed him all around.
While we waited for the place to open I took a few quick pictures.

This was the drive we came up.



And this is the house.





Dad sat in the car while we waited for official opening time and I wandered around a bit.







I am not sure why the bricks were in this tree.









The gift shop was located in here and this is where they sold the tickets to tour the house.



It opened a few minutes early and I went in and bought our tickets …using AAA to get a small discount.



I went back and let Dad know I had bought the tickets and we could wander around till our tour at 10. He wanted to know how much he owed me and I said he could buy the tickets at the next stop.





Dads new found friend followed him around.



This was an outline of the history of the property. Basically someone bought it sight unseen and owned it for a while then sold it off to the family that still currently owns it.



I believe Shirley is considered America’s first plantation (1613). It’s the oldest Family business and has been in the same family since 1638 and the current house has been there since 1738.





I basically scanned the timeline, but Dad did a more thorough reading and so I went on my way exploring the grounds.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Really nice picture of the cat lying on the porch, you caught a good pose.

I never made it to the plantations, I really need to get back there someday soon, but can't seem to break away from Disney!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Love the photos again. Can't wait to read more.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Really nice picture of the cat lying on the porch, you caught a good pose.

I never made it to the plantations, I really need to get back there someday soon, but can't seem to break away from Disney!

The cat was so funny and just watched Dad the whole time and made sure he wasn't left behind.
You gotta get to some of them. They are so interesting.

Love the photos again. Can't wait to read more.

Corinna

Thanks.

 

[jenseib]

The Grounds were beautiful and I really loved taking pictures of the house from different angles.



The buildings were really neat and they were original.



























And of course they had beautiful gardens.











A look at the river behind the house.



A peek back at the gardens.

 

[Woth2982]

I am loving the plantation photos! I love all those old houses! You would think it would get old since the houses in the town I work in all look like that (just shmooshed on top of one another), but it doesn't. The classic architecture just fascinates me! I did think one of those plant pictures had a giant wasp on it and panicked for a second, then realized it was just a very detailed photo lol. I cannot imagine maintaining those gardens! So beautiful!

 

[dolphingirl47]

The buildings are so beautiful.

Corinna

 

[natebenma]

I got caught up on a few more posts.

I enjoyed the remainder of your tour of the Palace. What a beautiful place! The bedrooms and ballroom are so fancy, yet functional. I'm sorry the experience was somewhat spoiled by the misbehaving kid and his clueless parents.

The church is also beautiful and simple. Love the churchyard photos.

I don't understand the server's refusal to give you just turkey instead of a sandwich. Too funny about the reaction you got when you left.

The ghost tour sounds really neat. That is cool that you have orbs in so many pictures!

 

[scottny]

Great updates and really great pics.

 

[littlenellbell]

Enjoying your pictures! My parents own a Bed and Breakfast. It's more Victorian than Colonial, but I think they would love to take this trip!

 

[jenseib]

I am loving the plantation photos! I love all those old houses! You would think it would get old since the houses in the town I work in all look like that (just shmooshed on top of one another), but it doesn't. The classic architecture just fascinates me! I did think one of those plant pictures had a giant wasp on it and panicked for a second, then realized it was just a very detailed photo lol. I cannot imagine maintaining those gardens! So beautiful!

How neat to see stuff like that all the time. I love touring places like this. I think I get that from my Dad actually. As a kid we did tour things like this a lot when we did go on vacation and I always found it really neat too, even back then.

LOL, I went and looked and it kind of does look like a wasp!

The buildings are so beautiful.

Corinna

They really are.

I got caught up on a few more posts.

I enjoyed the remainder of your tour of the Palace. What a beautiful place! The bedrooms and ballroom are so fancy, yet functional. I'm sorry the experience was somewhat spoiled by the misbehaving kid and his clueless parents.

The church is also beautiful and simple. Love the churchyard photos.

I don't understand the server's refusal to give you just turkey instead of a sandwich. Too funny about the reaction you got when you left.

The ghost tour sounds really neat. That is cool that you have orbs in so many pictures!

The Palace is really pretty. One of the highlights for sure.
That server just wanted to be negative. I am so glad we left!
The ghost tour was really a fun thing.

Great updates and really great pics.

Thanks

Enjoying your pictures! My parents own a Bed and Breakfast. It's more Victorian than Colonial, but I think they would love to take this trip!

How neat. I bet they would love to. Do they have people to run the B&B while they go away?