Spring Break Revisited

After two months of interruptions, both of the good and the bad, I am quickly revisiting and tying up loose ends from our spring break trip in April . . .  

On Tuesday morning we headed over to Williamsburg for an afternoon in the 1700's. We began our adventure watching a Colonial movie and then wandering the streets of Virginia's Revolutionary capitol. We visited the shoemaker and the dressmaker, where the kids listened intently to the shop keepers and then in turn asked question after question. 

We listened to flute players, shopped in the outdoor market and tried out the pillory and stocks. 

We finally settled down with pecan pie and ginger cakes from the tavern as the afternoon historical reenactment took place. This day's theme was pre-revolutionary war events that took place in Williamsburg. We watched Patrick Henry shout, during a debate with loyalists, "Give me liberty or give me death." We listened to members of the House of Burgess's argue how much sympathy they should give Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party, the shut down of the Boston Harbor and the Boston Massacre. And we witnessed the control that Governor Dunmore, the governor appointed by the King of England, had over the colonists. 

The two hour reenactment took place throughout several blocks of Williamsburg. Jonathan and Emilie raced from location to location to get the best seats for the next scene, while Annelise, Sophia and Ezra had different interests for the afternoon! 

We returned home for another night of swimming and then all climbed into bed, looking forward to our next day in Colonial Williamsburg.

On Wednesday we finished our trip back in Colonial times. We began the day touring the Governors Palace and it's beautiful gardens.

 We wandered through such buildings as the blacksmith and the Geddy House, which was Elizabeth's house in the American Girl books and attended a court hearing, dramatized after actual court documents from cases in the 1700's. 

As soon as the afternoon reenactments began, this time of the years during the war, Emilie and Jonathan's interest was piqued, while Annelise, Sophia and Ezra's interest began to fade. I took the little ones to see a children's museum, but before we could make our way there, there was a cloud burst, canceling all activities and causing the hundreds of visitors to run for cover. Our time at Williamsburg abruptly ended and we headed back to the condo for a movie, miniature golfing when the rain cleared and swimming. Despite the rain, the day was another success.

On Thursday we completed "America's Historic Triangle" with the day spent at Jamestown and Yorktown. At Jamestown we spent the morning in the Native American village. 

We then climbed aboard the ships that brought the English to their first permanent American settlement. 

Afterward we toured their simple homes and churches and even were lucky enough to watch a musket demonstration. 

Not far was the glass blowing house, which provided the settlement with their main commerce with England.

In the afternoon we made our way to Yorktown where the Revolutionary War ended. We visited the Victory Center and then wandered through a recreated Revolutionary War battlefield site with tents similar to what George Washington would have commanded from.

 

We found it particulary interesting to have learned about the end of the war after spending the past three years living almost on the battlefields where the war began.

We departed from our days of history and culture and headed to Busch Gardens for an entire day of wild rides and entertaining shows. As soon as we mentioned that we were adding an amusement park to the agenda, Jonathan began doing research. Immediately we heard about the Griffin, the "world's tallest and fastest dive machine" and it's 71 mph 205 foot drop. It did not disappoint. We have heard about it ever since. Annelise's highlight of the day was being chosen from the audience to join the German polka dancers on stage, with Sophia joining soon after. Ezra loved the kiddie rides. 

With short lines, perfect weather, and excitement for all age levels, Busch Gardens was a huge success and the perfect way to end spring break.