DelMarVa and Colonial Williamsburg

There are not many things worse than a stale blog, so my sincerest apologies for not having updated this blog more often than I do. Apologies out of the way, we had a wonderful time last week in Colonial Williamsburg. And a few days before that we were in the DelMarVa Peninsula. I promise to write about it in a little more detail but I do want to get the basic journal down before we forget where we went and - more importantly - where we camped and ate!

For now, here is the general path we followed:

Thursday, September 20, 6:30 PM - Left after work headed as far north as we could get before tiring out too much. Drove to Raleigh up Hwy 49 in the RAIN! It hasn't rained at home in months, and here it is raining on us in Denton NC. But it has still not rained at home. We made it all the way to Roanoke Rapids NC on I-95 and pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot with a few other RVs about 11:00 PM.

Friday, September 21, 8:00 AM - Left Roanoke Rapids and stayed off of I-95 choosing to follow NC-158 over to Murphfreesboro then up toward Suffolk VA, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and all the way to our campground in Sanford VA. Not on the map, but as far north on the Chesapeake Bay as you can get and still be in Virginia.

Saturday, September 22. Left the Tall Pines Harbor CG in the toad and drove over to Chincoteague Island to cruise around, look at the ponies, and have lunch at a nice little outdoor place that served up GREAT sandwiches. We shared a hugh shrimp salad sandwich at the Sea Star Carryout. While there we also checked out Toms Cove CG - looks like a pretty good place to stay, and the Inlet View CG - A DUMP to be avoided at all costs!
Later we drove on up to Ocean City MD, drove up the beach to Bethany Beach DE and wet out toes in the water there... an new state for both of us.
Back across the peninsula we go to Crisfield MD for a very good meal at the Captains Galley while we watch the sun go down over the Bay.

Sunday, Sept 23. Lazy morning at the campground, and then a short drive down US-13 to Kiptopeke State Park near Cape Charles just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. This state park has full hookup campsites. It is on the site of the old ferry terminal. No longer used for that purpose, it has a nice sandy beach just a short walk through the woods from the campground. A large fishing pier, and boat ramp are where the ferrys once docked. This would be a nice place to spend a few days... IF you are there when those darn black flys don't bite you.

Monday, Sept 24. Back across the CBBT and up to Williamsburg VA. We arrived at the American Heritage RV park about 2:30 in the afternoon in time to settle in before meeting our dear friends from Austin TX. Dinner that night was at the Kings Arms Tavern in the historic district. This is one of the taverns that served the likes of Thomas Jefferson and his contemporaries in the 18th century. Our dinner consisted of Smoked Salmon for Pam and baked Tilapia stuffed with shrimp and oyster stuffing. Very good...but these old eyes have a hard time reading the menu and the check with only candlelight.

Tuesday, Sept 25. All day walking around Colonial Williamsburg... and it was a hot day too with temperatures in the upper 80's. We started at the visitors center, rode the shuttle bus to the Governors Palace to start our tour of the area. Lunch was at Chownings Tavern on Duke of Glouchester Street (sandwiches and cold water in the outdoor eating area under an arbor.) In the afternoon we walked to the Colonial Capital Building where we heard Thomas Jefferson speak. The interpreter/actor did a fine job of representing Mr. Jefferson and playing a little to "Pop" history. I don't think Mr. Jefferson would have been at all comfortable speaking to a group like this and answering questions from the audience...but it sells in Williamsburg, and it was fun.

The evening found us at "The Whaling Company" a local seafood eatery outside the historic district, but not far from town. Great fresh seafood again. I think we would never tire of fresh seafood.

Wednesday, Sept 26. Again the day spent walking around Colonial Williamsburg. Touring the Capital Building, several houses, shops where artisians practice crafts as they would have done them in the 17th and 18th century. For example a saddle maker, cobbler, silversmith, foundry, gunsmith, and watchmaker. Lunch was outside the historic district in an area of modern shops and restaurants called Merchants Square near the College of William and Mary. We went to a place called The Cheese Shop, that was a fantastic Deli, and very crowded at lunch time. Tuna Salad sandwich for me and Crab Salad for Pam.
More walking in the afternoon and a quick trip back to the RV to freshen up before dinner. It was over 90 degrees today! Dinner was at Christiana Campbells Tavern. This is another restaurant in the historic district that maintains the historic atmosphere.

Thursday September 27. Time for a change in scenery and temperature. Today we drove to Charlottsville to visit Montecello, Thomas Jefferson's mountain. About a 2 hour drive from Williamsburg brought us to Michies Tavern at noon. This place has been serving travelers great meals since the early 1700's, and was no dissapointment to us either. The lunch buffet was probably one of the best I ever sampled, with home cooked vegtables and peach cobbler with home made ice cream.
On to Montecello, we toured the mansion and spent another hour or so just walking around the grounds, gardens, and viewed Thomas Jefferson and his family burial grounds. What a genuis this man obviously was.. whether or not you arreed with his politics and style, he was an extraordinary person.

All Jefferson all the time??? That evening dinner was The Jefferson restaurant back in Williamsburg.

By the way, while we were on the mountain, we heard a couple of the security guards talking about a celebrity being there too. It turns out tha Bob Dylan who was doing a show at UVA that night, rode his motorcycle up to see Mr. Jefferson's house too. We didn't actually get to see him, he was taking the house tour while we were in the garden areas.

Friday September 28. Boys and Girls split up today. The ladys went shopping at the outlet stores while us guys went to do more history. Jamestown and Yorktown. Then back to the RV for a rest in the shade, then (what else) out to dinner on the waterfront in Yorktown. Nicks Waterfront Restaurant was very good. Again, great seafood and a beautiful view of the York River. There was a concert on the green in the waterfront park in Yorktown while we walked off our meal on the new Riverwalk Park area. Then time to say goodbye. Flights back to Austin Saturday morning dictate a farewell this evening. What a great vacation this has been.

Saturday September 29. Very cool and breezy this morning. Get the RV packed up and ready to go about 10:30 for the trip home. Taking our time, we cruise up Hwy 5 along the James River past many plantations, and back over to I-85 headed south. This gets us home about 6:00 PM.

Wow.. what a nice trip, and after the planning and the anticipation it's already over.