Williamsburg. What a wonderful place!
Our colonial adventure began last night with supper at Shields Tavern. Our simple but delicious supper of pork and beef was complemented by balladeers who conducted sing-alongs throughout the dining rooms. Sounds cheesy, I know, but it was actually quite fun. Afterwards, we had a lovely stroll back to the lodge. The town was all but empty, with just a few fellow guests meandering the quiet streets.
I've been here once before, on a class trip when I was 16, but I didn't have much recollection of it. My preconception, therefore, was that this week's visit would be something like a colonial theme park or an upscale Dollywood. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but gosh, this is so much more!
The proprietors of this area have gone to great lengths to preserve and present an accurate replication of 18th-century America. From the costumes to the menus to the activities to the architecture and even the floors, everything works together to create a colonial atmosphere. I was delighted to overhear a couple of costumed characters on the street having a spirited discussion about the Stamp Act and British taxation which didn't appear to be scripted at all.
We went to the courthouse and saw two civil disputes being heard by the court; while it was light and silly, we also learned about pre-revolutionary court proceedings. (We were even prompted to say, "God Save the King" at the open and close of court.) We visited a couple of shops and enjoyed cool drinks with ginger cakes out on the lawn. It has been a gorgeous and unseasonably warm day.
The only "downer" about our visit to Williamsburg is that it is also jam-packed here with students and families on spring break. It was quiet last night, but today Duke of Gloucester Street was thick with people in t-shirts and sunscreen.
Unlike D.C., however, most of our fellow tourists are well-mannered and cheerful. Also unlike D.C., all of the Williamsburg personnel we've encountered have been unusually gracious and accommodating, despite the crowds. They chat with us and seem sincerely interested in making sure we enjoy ourselves.
We've had such a good time thus far that we're cancelling our Thursday night reservation at the Hotel Roanoke and are staying on an extra day here instead. There's still so much we want to see and do here, plus we may try and squeeze in a side-trip to Jamestown. It just didn't make any sense to throw all of our stuff back into the suitcases tomorrow and drive to Roanoke for a one-night stay there.
Between D.C. and Arlington and now Williamsburg, I have walked more in the last six days than I have in the last six months. It's a good thing because there is no shortage of outstanding food here, and my barely-existent willpower is no match for it. But my feet and back and hips are so dang sore from all this walking - getting out of bed in the morning is almost comical. If you're old enough to remember Sanford and Son, then just imagine Fred Sanford walking around the junk shop - that's what I look like first thing. The Mister is kind enough not to make fun of me, although I'm sure it must be tempting.
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