July 1:
To Williamsburg, Virginia
Our coach whisked us off to Williamsburg Virginia. It was a pretty long trip, so out came the games, and history quizzes to keep the children focused and no one complained of being bored.
Marine Corps Museum in Quantico
On the way we were fortunate to see the Marine Corp Museum in Quantico, Virginia. Our tour guide, Beth showed us the movie introduction prior to the museum. Our bus driver had a Marine Corps hat on as we left the coach.
We hit the ground running; since we had already seen the movie, we went right in to see the exhibits. This is a wonderfully planned museum. There was a section where you can train to be a Marine – practice carrying that 50 pound pack on your back- very realistic.
There were exhibits to cover every war and battle the Marines participated in. I went to the WWII, in honor of my Dad, who served in that war. I then skipped to the Viet Nam exhibit- which began in a room where we given an introduction. We exited through an airplane right on the ground with shots being fired and the smell of sulphur in the air. It felt we had landed as did those of my era into the Mekong Delta. A truly moving moment!
I was impressed with the entire museum. This time the boys settled on Marine T shirts.
Too soon we headed on to Williamsburg. Before arriving we all received a wonderful surprise! We had saved enough time to add Jamestown to our itinerary! We got off the bus and spent a few hours in Jamestown. Now, while we were enjoying all Jamestown had to offer, our guide Beth and our bus driver headed to Williamsburg, dropped off our luggage, checked us into the hotel, saving us time we spent enjoying Jamestown.
Williamsburg
Our stay began with a typical dinner in one of the many taverns. The food we enjoyed was the same that George Washington ate- and boy after that winter in Valley Forge, the food and ambiance of Williamsburg must have seemed like heaven!
The kids all enjoyed the homemade root beer and vanilla sodas, while the adults enjoyed a more adult refreshment! Later that evening, we strolled the streets of Williamsburg and participated in an optional program “Crime and Punishment”, offered in the evening. We strolled with a guide and visited the court house, the jail and the cemetery. That’s where we got to meet the local jailer, the constable and a woman accused of murder. We later saw her swinging from the hangman’s’ noose – not a tour for the faint of heart but the boys and Ienjoyed it!
