Stepping Back in Time

We arrived at our lodging in Richmond late last night once again. It was right to bed for most of us so we could get up early and start all over again. These late nights and early mornings are starting to get to me! Determined to arrive on time for another tour arranged by me, we departed around 7 for our over one hour drive. Arriving in the sparkling sunshine of a Virginia morning, cool, but bright, we parked our car and paused a moment to enjoy this fountain that greeted us.

Entering the group tour building, we were told to wait in the hallway as we were early! What a wonderful feeling to be early :) and not rushed and stressed or lost! Soon our tour guide greeted us and explained our morning. She pronounced the name of our hometown correctly, which most people don't, and when I commented, we found out that her grandmother lives there! She used to visit when younger, but now attends William and Mary College. Later, we found out that someone in our group KNOWS her grandmother from church! What a small world.

Our first stop was a recreated Indian village where we learned about making rope and tanning hides. Everyone was dressed for their role and did a great job explaining things to us as well as encouraging participation. Here are some girls trying out the tough job of tanning the hides.

A map of the original journey and the three ships, the Godspeed, the Susan Constant, and the Discovery. There's our guide in the blue!

We were led to the waterside where we learned about measuring fathoms and other nautical terms that escape me right now.....

A rare moment of the three girls together, enjoying the tour and strolling in the sunshine.  

We learned about navigation tools and how difficult it might have been to navigate although the ways devised were ingenious. I liked this interpreter. The Scribbler liked it when he blew his Bosun's whistle (she had bought one in Williamsburg). He used it at the end when it was time for us to move along. After he blew it, he asked if we knew what it meant. Of course, we didn't so he said it meant, "Get up, turn around and get outta here." :)

Inside the largest ship with pretty tiny accomodations given the number of people who traveled in them! Our guide in Williamsburg, Pete, told us he helped to design two of the ships, the Godspeed and the Discovery.

 A new set of three lovely girls!

Farmer Girl as she came up from below. I would have liked a grou photo on the ship, but she quickly had everyone off before we came up from belowdecks.

Making canoes the hard way. We all smelled like campfire after this, but it sure was nice and warm!

In the fort, we learned about firing muskets and he was quite interesting as well as loud!

Church and meeting house where our resident pastor took to the pulpit.

This fella always got chosen to be the demonstrator (remember he was the apprentice who wasn't sweeping?) :)  I bet this armor was a bit heavy.

At the end of our three hour tour with Lizzy and Farmer Girl standing on water in the Atlantic Ocean!


Love this shot of these three girls! Our traveling buddy!

After this and shopping in the gift shop, we headed for lunch as well as to points north. First stop: Chick-Fil-A. We were famished and so ready to show our traveling buddies one of our favorite fast food places. If you have never been to a Chick-Fil-A, you must check it out. Starting in Georgia many years ago, it is based on good food and Christian principles. They are ALWAYS closed on Sundays and their children's meals items are always great, beneficial and educational. I grew up enjoying eating here and do it every chance I get. WE just hoped they would enjoy it too. We had chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and cole slaw along with their wonderful sweet tea.  I told the manager who kept coming back to refill our tea, we had come all the way from the Northwest to eat at Chick-Fil-A and he gave all of us cute little cows that say, Eat Mor Chikin. I haven't said much about our eating out while on this trip, but I can honestly say this was one of my favorites! I am all ready trying to figure out how to eat there again before heading home!
Next stop: Lancaster, Pennsylvania.