Colonial America

Bethpage RV Resort

After returning from Pocatello with Jenna, Adam and baby Charlie, we spent a week at this resort on the Rappahannock River in Virgina.  It was dead quiet during the week but on the weekend, the place was partyville with lots of competing music, BBQ’s and a bunch of golf carts driving around also playing loud music.  We’ve never been in a RV park like this.  The park was dominated by folks who leave their trailers and golf cars there full time, and come out to party on the weekends.  By Monday it was dead quiet again, with all the golf carts covered by tarps.  It was the human equivalent to Cidada’s coming out ever 17 years, then disappearing.

Historic Jamestown

This was the first English permanent settlement in the Americas.  One day at Historic Jamestown where archeologists have identified the location of the original fort, other buildings, wells, graves, and many artifacts.  We also enjoyed the Archaearium (an impossible to pronounce word meaning Archeology Museum) ), which was very much worth the visit. Sorry, no photos.

Jamestown Settlement

This is located just a mile or so up river from the actual settlement site. Here they have full size replica ships, replica buildings, with people in character describing and demonstrating how the original settlers went about life.  There is also an excellent timeline museum/display describing the collision of three cultures: Native Americans, English and African, through artifacts and multimedia displays.

Williamsburg

This became the capital of the English settlement in 1699.  We spent two days exploring the reconstructed city.  There are 89 restored buildings, and many other key reconstructed buildings.  Many of the displays, tours and demonstrations are not currently running due to Covid, but we enjoyed those things we could do.

Yorktown Battlefield

The Visitor’s Center closed, but self-tour driving route was open.  The tour gave a good overview of how the American/French forces successfully defeated the British.  Many of the trenches and berms are original, and others have been reconstructed.  The British signed the surrender document at a nearby farmhouse.  This was the last significant battle of the Revolutionary War.

I visited all of these locations when I was a young boy, so here’s a photo of me (seated on the canon) at Williamsburg with my brother, circa 1966:

Next up: Maryland and Delaware!