I tried to suggest a different order to our travel today. We were going to be traveling through Colonial Williamsburg on our way to our campsite, so I suggested we stop there with RV and all. I knew they’d have parking for RV’s. I wanted Mark to see it in the daylight. In retrospect, perhaps not one of my better ideas.
A map of the layout of Williamsburg
Info about the Capitol
The Capitol
On The Duke of Gloucester St in front of the Raleigh Tavern, there was a reenactment of scenes from the Revolutionary War. This was the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
This scene was of a Virginian who had been with the British army for three years but supposedly deserted. He was accused of being a spy and this woman tried to defend him, but to no avail.
A horse-drawn carriage
This was the story of a woman who was trying to spy for George Washington, but she was found out and arrested. She’s wearing a small needlework patch of a chamomile flower, otherwise known as the Rebel’s flower because it comes back stronger after being trampled underfoot.
Laundry day
By this time, Mark and I were hungry so we went looking for an eating establishment.
After we were seated, a couple performers came in. One said he had written a piece of poetry which he would read while the other played music to accompany it. It was a really gruesome poem about being bitten by a snake, but it was very funny!
Mark had a beef trencher and loved it! Mmm! I had a vegetable pasty. Then we shared a piece of pecan pie, all made with traditional recipes.
A drum and fife parade outside our window
As dusk fell, the waitresses lit candles, but they were using a device that clicked. Teasingly, I asked what they were using to light the candles, and the waitress answered, “Nothing from the original period!” (It was a cigarette lighter!)
There was an open air market, and Mark tried his hand at a couple wooden toys.
A couple reenactors at market
Farm produce for sale
At this point, I need to pause to show the many faces of Mark that I caught today. Is it any wonder I love this man?
Cross-eyed satisfaction in the restaurant
The Red Skelton face while trying on a hat in the market
The gun-happy face in the market
Mark didn’t bring a warm enough jacket with him and it was close to freezing, so when he found a fire burning alongside the street, he stopped there while I went to see what was further down the street.
A planned flower garden design
A church
An outdoor ice skating rink, strangely modern!
A produce garden. I think the jars act as small greenhouses.
A proprietor and his market
I think this is the governor’s house.
By the time I returned to the street fire, I was cold.
This is where the story turns dark…
Mark and I left, knowing that we’d have to set the RV up in the dark, but that didn’t seem like such a difficult thing. We’ve done it before. We were looking for a campground called Little Creek Campground. I thought that it was a regular campground. However, when the GPS took us to a corner and we turned it, we discovered that we were approaching a closed military base gate. I had thought that we were done with military campgrounds for this trip.
I had two phone numbers I could call. The first was a voicemail saying the office was closed and if I’d leave a message, they’d get back to me on the next business day. The second was another campground that wasn’t familiar with the layout of the one we were trying to get to, but at least the woman on the line stayed on with me and tried to find information that might help me. Eventually, we found an open gate and got in.
The next problem was finding the campground and our campsite. We already knew that the office was closed since they hadn’t answered their phone, but they had our site assignment posted next to the door. We were to park in site forty-five. However, when we got there, Mark found a truck parked in our space. We had already disconnected the truck and I was following him. I was glad I wasn’t with him because he was frustrated and exhausted. He honked his horn a number of times and it didn’t seem like anyone was going to respond. Just as Mark was about to back into another site, someone finally came out and moved the truck.
We are finally set up and inside for the night. We’ve had our tea and it’s time to go to bed. Tomorrow will be better!
New day with more of His grace! I was just writing in my journal about His face and continued provision! I was making long, long list of the things I’m thankful for and your visit and presence in my life is surely listed!
I love you sister!