Who Knew We Were Virginians?

[dolphingirl47]

The ghost tour sounds interesting. Did you get any special photos?

Corinna

 

[Poolrat]

The ghost tours are fun. We did one too. In fact there is a ghost story book.
I think my daughter had it out recently... that is kind of freaky

She always loved the ghost stories.

 

[jenseib]

The ghost tour sounds interesting. Did you get any special photos?

Corinna

I did!!!!

The ghost tours are fun. We did one too. In fact there is a ghost story book.
I think my daughter had it out recently... that is kind of freaky

She always loved the ghost stories.

OOOOOOOH! I might have to go looking for that book.

 

[jenseib]

Next we walked over to the front of Shields Tavern. Our guide had the cutest saying as we walked, but I can’t remember how it went. But it went along the lines of This is a ghost walk, but our Horses are real, so look down when you walk. We all had a good kick out that.

Now I will admit, I really didn’t look through my pictures till several months after I got home. I loaded them to the computer and started editing them day by day, but it takes time to do that. Plus I have been writing my Disney Trip report from last Nov. so I don’t devote a lot of time to these pictures yet as I want to get the other trips ones done first.
So about 2 months ago I started editing this days pictures. Lo and Behold…..I found orbs! I quickly emailed Amanda and let her know. We both were excited.

I do not remember the story told here off hand, but it was another interesting one. Look at the light by the door. Just above that are 2 small green orbs.



Now I know certain lighting can cause orbs, so I looked it up a bit when I was editing. The best way to get an orb (besides a ghost) is to use a flash…which I did not. Also sunlight glaring into the camera will also give orbs at times ….I don’t see any sunlight do you? Ok, now maybe the lamp by the door was giving me a glare, but as I go on, you will see more orbs that do not have any source of light to reflect off my lens. And in truth, it was slightly lighter outside than the picture leads you to believe. It was dusk.
And …OK…I believe in ghosts and orbs!

Each time we walked to another spot, the guide would allow the kids to carry the lantern. Claire was asked once, but she was too shy to do it. We moved down towards Kings Tavern now.
Now this next picture looks like it is daylight again. This was all in how I set the camera when I took a picture. It was dusk, but I was able to set a slower shutter speed at times to allow more light in.







We moved on again. Now look to the left and between the 2 sets of windows in 3’s. Right in the middle is another small orb. It is hard to tell in a picture this size, but you can see it clearly in the original.



About this time a family arrived and started walking with us and asking everyone questions. “Is this the family ghost walk?” …”We were running late”. “Do we need to check in?” I have to say it was a bit annoying. I understand asking, but they asked several people and were not quiet about it. I think after a bit the guide did talk to them and told them they could check the next walk that was later in the evening and start from the beginning.

As we moved on, I took more pictures. I believe that is Amanda’s silhouette in front of me and to the left of her head you can see another green orb.



More orbs! From the tree to the right, the 3rd window and 5th window have orbs next to them.



We next made our way over to the general store. See the orbs?



I don’t remember exactly why I took this. I think there was a door here before…..or something as you can see the different brick. I know there was a reason I took it.



We got some great stories here. The owner was very fond of his store and how neat he kept it. He was very offended if people didn’t feel the same way. Well ….one time some CW guests were walking through the store and a lady made a comment about the store being filthy and full of junk …..and………… Right after she said that, a checker board that was on the shelf behind the cashier went flying and hit the lady in the face.
So they decided it was a freak accident and they bolted the checker board to the wall so it wouldn’t fall off again. Once again a guest came in and made some rude comments about the store and this time the checker board ripped itself off the wall and flew and hit the person. Our guide did not tell us whether the check board is still there or not, but the next day I went in the store and I did not see it. I did however want to say something about the store to see if something would happen, but I didn’t feel like having a broken nose for the rest of the trip. LOL. Plus I wouldn’t have really meant it, so it might not have worked anyways.

On we went.

 

[jenseib]

More orbs!!! In the trees above Amanda’s head. I believe there are 4 or 5 of them.



I thought this looked pretty and kind of spooky for our ghost walk.



Mega green orb spotted!!!!!



We ended our tour in front of Chownings I believe. And another orb!





We were told a few more ghost stories of this place. One being of an employee who had to use the bathroom and they were not allowed to use the public bathroom upstairs. She figured she would run in quickly and use it as it would save her time. When she tried to push the door open to leave, she couldn’t get it to budge. It felt as if someone was holding the door from outside. I think she had to holler for help, in which a person easily opened the door. It was not stuck at all.

See the Green orb on the post for the sign?



Well it moved!!!! Hey dude!!!! You are being possessed right now!



Another sky picture.



I believe there is a small orb about the 2nd story window.



And 2 very small orbs underneath each window just to the left of each.



And a very big green orb.



And a couple of more of our friendly orbs.



Look at the sky! It is speckled with small green orbs.



It was time to end the tour and all the kids got to gather around to blow out the candle. Claire was not too shy for this.



And with that, we could go off on our own. We were hungry so we decided to see if we could get a seat in Chownings. Something was going on and they wouldn’t be seating anyone for another 45 minutes to an hour if we wanted to eat, so we passed on that and headed off to the bus stop so we could get back to the car and head out.

While waiting at the bus stop we took a few pictures.









We headed out again and once again I think we started going the wrong way, but we found a gas station and decided to fill up the car while we were thinking of it. Gas was pretty reasonable there and this car was actually getting pretty good gas mileage.

We then set off to find something to eat. We came upon a Uno Chicago Grill and decided to stop there.
If I remember right, Claire and I got a pizza to share and maybe soup or something like that for an appetizer. Once again I put my camera away for the night and didn’t take any pictures.
The meal was very good and I would go back there in a heartbeat.
Back to Fords Colony for the night. It sure is dark out there when you drive at night. The roads are not lit at all. Which isn’t a big deal to me normally, as I live in the country with no lighted roads either, but this had hills and trees and it made it even darker in my opinion.
I think I might’ve taken Claire for another quick swim before heading off to bed.
I believe this is the night we found “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” on TV. Amanda told Claire it was a good movie and she would like it, so I turned it on in our room and I passed out. I think Claire watched the whole thing late into the night. Thanks Amanda!
Since we have been home, Claire realized that we had that movie on DVD in a combo pack and has watched it several more times.

Once again I will comment that the bed was comfy, but the pillows were awful. If we ever got again, I will either bring a pillow along or I will go and buy a cheap one and just leave it there. Anything has to be better than those things.

Another wonderful day and once again we were reminded when we saw the map of the US in the Palace that we are Virginians, NOT Ohioans like we thought.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Those photos are really neat. I especially love the possessed one.

Corinna

 

[mickeystoontown]

Cool! Neat! Scary! Freaky! Your orb pictures are all of those rolled into one. I saw each and every orb that you were talking about. I wonder if something would have happened if you complained about the store? I'm betting that something would have.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

So cool to see those orbs, a lot of history happened there, so it figures some folks didn't want to ever leave!

You should have waited at Chownings, what people were waiting for was Gambols. It is lots of fun with music, jokes, magic & games. Claire would have enjoyed it as would you.

 

[jenseib]

Those photos are really neat. I especially love the possessed one.

Corinna

I thought so too!

Cool! Neat! Scary! Freaky! Your orb pictures are all of those rolled into one. I saw each and every orb that you were talking about. I wonder if something would have happened if you complained about the store? I'm betting that something would have.

I can't beleive I waited months to look through them. I just kind of forgot to do it.
So ylu wanted me to have a broken nose for the rest of the trip.....just to see if it would work?

So cool to see those orbs, a lot of history happened there, so it figures some folks didn't want to ever leave!

You should have waited at Chownings, what people were waiting for was Gambols. It is lots of fun with music, jokes, magic & games. Claire would have enjoyed it as would you.

It's just amazing how much history is there. And yes, it was Gambols. But they really couldn't explain it to me well, or I didn't understand it and we were hungry so we just headed out.

 

[jenseib]

Sorry I haven't updated here. I just haven't had time to write the next portion and to be honest I am trying to get my other TR finished, or at least closer to it.

 

[scottny]

Looked like a fun tour minus the brat.
Good for you leaving. How stupid they cannot put the break on it.
The grounds look gorgeous. One day I will get there.
The ghost tour sounds like fun.
All caught up again.

 

[jenseib]

Looked like a fun tour minus the brat.
Good for you leaving. How stupid they cannot put the break on it.
The grounds look gorgeous. One day I will get there.
The ghost tour sounds like fun.
All caught up again.

Hi Scott!!

It really is an interesting place to go, but not for younfer kids so much. I know we all want our kids to know history, but a 1 or 2 year old is not going to care or remember. Heck I am not sure how much Claire will remember, but I bet when she learns it in class someday it will trigger memories.
The ghost tour was one of our favorite things we did.

 

[jenseib]

April 17, Wednesday, Day 5

Even though we still had a few more days left on our trip, today was the last day for exploring Colonial Williamsburg. I warned everyone the night before that today we WOULD be up early and leaving early. If you missed the ride, then you came later in Dad’s truck. (that was a threat, because no one wanted to drive it and he was only allowing me to drive it, which I didn’t want to either).

I got up and ready right away, even did some work on the computer and Claire was decent enough about getting up too. No one wanted to be left behind. I figured that CW would be less busy early on and we could get a lot done and then make our way back for a rest before dinner.
I also had a goal in mind. I was hoping to catch the guys in British Redcoats or Colonial soldiers. I have seen pictures of these guys in all the advertising and even in friends pictures, but they seemed to be nowhere around. I wasn’t sure if we were leaving too early or arriving too late. OR perhaps it wasn’t something that happened every day. Anyways, I’ll give you a heads up now…I never found them this time around either.

So off we went. We knew the drill now. We arrived, parked, headed to the Visitor Center, made our way to the bus and then headed off to the first stop. I think we were getting off the bus around 9:40. Not bad for a bunch of slow pokes.

Dad was on a mission. Ever since he found out that Claire and I had visited the church the day before, he needed to tour it himself. I told him that I probably wasn’t going to go in again, but I would meet up with them later.
So we started our power walk that way, passing the Palace as we went.



Amanda had not been with us yesterday due to not feeling well in the morning and as we passed the Palace, I suggested going in to look at the Gardens and she agreed. Dad pouted about it. We told him he could go on ahead, but he won’t do that. He found a bench out along the wall and sat down. We went in to take a look around again.





A few weeks or so before the trip I had decided I wanted a fisheye lens. I really have a hard time justifying the price of one, especially for as little as I would use it. I found an attachment lens for very cheap on Amazon and thought “what the heck” and ordered it. It would just screw on to the end of one of my lenses and I could give it a try without being out too much money. I pulled it out here to give it a try. It’s not like a true fisheye lens, but it gives a similar effect.

















We worked our way to the back of the gardens again and another little show was going to start soon. We decided we wanted to watch it and I was instructed to call Dad and let him know that we weren’t coming back out anytime soon. He grumbled a bit and I told him he could sit out there and wait, or come back and watch it and he did decide to come back and watch it.













I had my fill with playing with the Fisheye attachment and put back on my other lens.

Here comes Dad, who is telling us how happy he is about coming back.



This guy was standing back by us waiting to do his part.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

The soldiers are not there all of the time. To see a lot of them you need to go when it's the time of "Under the Redcoat" which is in late June or early July. Williamsburg is under British martial law & there are lots of re enactors attending.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Well done for getting your family organized and out of the hotel at a reasonable hour. I love the fisheye effect on some of the photos.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

The soldiers are not there all of the time. To see a lot of them you need to go when it's the time of "Under the Redcoat" which is in late June or early July. Williamsburg is under British martial law & there are lots of re enactors attending.

Thats what I kind of figured....I will let you in on a secret...I finally did capture a couple of soldiers, but it was for a special event that I just got lucky to walk by. They aren;t great pictures, but I am happy to finally have found some.
I would love to go for the Renactors, but I bet it is awfully hot then.

Well done for getting your family organized and out of the hotel at a reasonable hour. I love the fisheye effect on some of the photos.

Corinna

it was nice to get moving early. I am not one to just hang out a bunch when there is so much tto see and do.

 

[jenseib]

We were all settled in our seats and soon the show started. Basically this was a story about how slaves were sold and separated from their families. One of the ladies had had some issues and was now going to be sold and so were her children, and all separately. I will say…..that acting was not these ladies calling…..but still it was interesting to watch and it’s really hard to think that people could be that cruel back then.





I guess my eyes were wandering as it went on and I took a few random pictures at times.







After the show, we headed off on our way to the church again. Dad doesn’t do well when we deter from a plan.







Dad is exciting to be getting his way now.







We separated and I believe Claire went with them to tour the church again and I went off on my own.



I think I went in there and tried to make a lunch reservation for Chowning’s, but I found out that lunch is just walk ups and you couldn’t make a reservation.

I took a look back at the Palace.







I went in and out of a few buildings.







I believe this is the Church Steeple through the Trees.

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a shame that the acting skills of those ladies left something to be desired. I lived in the home town of William Wilberforce for a while. He was instrumental in getting slavery in the British colonies abolished.

Corinna

 

[Woth2982]

Too bad the slave actors were not very good. I bet it was a great story. Our history definitely has some dark spots.

 

[jenseib]

What a shame that the acting skills of those ladies left something to be desired. I lived in the home town of William Wilberforce for a while. He was instrumental in getting slavery in the British colonies abolished.

Corinna

I am not sure who he is. I will have to look him up.

Too bad the slave actors were not very good. I bet it was a great story. Our history definitely has some dark spots.

It still was interesting, but they were not very good at acting. Our history does have a lot of dark spots....but then so do most countries.