Now that we know we are moving in less than three months (and Todd reports by June 2), there is a rush to see and do everything we have wanted to do. There are a few things such as taking the boys on a train ride up to D.C. for a weekend that won't be happening more than likely, but we are going to do our best.
***This is a long post***
One of the places we absolutely had to go before we moved is Jamestown. I mean, how can we live 30 mins from the site of America's first English colony and not see it?
I still want to go to First Landing State park which is where the ships first landed on April 26, 1607. We have seen it from a distance, but haven't been there yet.
The weather was cold and drizzly but in some ways that made the experience pleasant since there were no crowds.
It was nice that the museum was free for us since we are York County residents. It would have cost a pretty penny otherwise.
Living in the historic triangle has been awesome. Yorktown is still one of my favorite locations ever. On a beautiful day with blue skies, it makes for a scenic, peaceful place to take the kids. We love to eat Ben & Jerry's ice cream in there little main street area while watching the boats and bridge. Williamsburg is fun to look around. And in the fall?? So gorgeous!
It just so happened that the weekend we went was an exhibit of the Military Through the Ages. So perfect when you are taking three boys. (and a history buff husband.)
It isn't often that you see a group of knights chatting it up.
All of the tents were different groups of military through the ages.
There are maps everywhere showing the route the ships took on the voyage to arrive in Jamestown.
There will be a lot of pictures in here so the boys can remember everything. They loved this boy and his songs.
I loved going through the pictures and seeing the boys smiling in almost every picture.
The first campsite we came to was one that took place in around the 1500'S.
I love Tucker's reaction to the sword. The boys were able to try on a lot of helmets throughout the day. I sure hope no one had lice....Yuck. But they were excited to do it, so I wasn't going to ruin the fun by being practical.
There were different pieces of armor for them to try on as well. This one consisted of around 40 layers of linen. It was heavy.
Next up was the Devil's Nightmare regiment from 1529.
This is about the time that Tucker started running off. He is in a really annoying phase of doing it- in church, the store and in big crowds of people.
More helmets and armor for the boys to try on and touch.
Fisher thought it was pretty darn cool.
Next up- Crewe of the Archangel.
These were the first cannons of the day.
And weapons! So many weapons! The boys were well versed in how to kill someone in battle by the end of the day. They were pretty good about recognizing the boys were young and didn't get too graphic.
The Jacobite rebellion in the 1700's.
These actors didn't have to try too hard to act the part of being cold. It would not have been a fun day to be wearing a kilt. All the campsites were cooking real meals over the fires although we arrived at the tail end of those demonstrations.
Cooper trying on a shield.
The 7th Virginia Continental Line in the American Revolution.
Rations during that time.
More cannons.
Tucker found an interesting use for the cannons. Apparently they are good for a nap.
Fisher posing. He is still in this goofy posing phase.
After Tucker had run off for about the 1,257 time we were ready to shoot him out of a cannon.
More hands on activities. The cannon balls were smaller than you would think- but heavy.
The boys all holding pieces for a shot gun type of cannon ball.
Looking around was pretty funny. It was an odd assortment of characters wandering around the field.
Napoleon was probably our favorite. He was in character for sure. Pics of him later.
Learning about bayonets and seeing the best hat of the day.
Civil war cannon. They just kept getting bigger and bigger.
There were even kids running around in costume. I loved this little girl. She wasn't even two.
The knight was probably one of the highlights of the day. Others thought so too. This was the one tent that seemed really crowded.
His helmet reminded me of Phineas and Ferb.
Fisher trying on the knight's glove.
Everyone started preparing to march in the parade. It was really cool seeing everyone in formation.
The vikings were a little more low key. This was around 1,000.
They had a lot of fun weapons for the boys to play with.
After a while, it became Cooper's job to tackle Tucker whenever he ran off. Seriously. They were having full blown wrestling sessions in the middle of the field.
Napoleon looking the part.
This boy informed us that his side lost the battle and he more than likely died. That was entertaining.
So many soldiers.
We moved to a different area to settle in and watch the parade. I realize that this is not the most interesting post to anyone who wasn't there.
(You can see Tucker sneaking away from us. He is in the blue coat off to the right.
The parade went all the way through modern times but Tucker kept running off so we decided to pick up and go see the Jamestown settlement.
On our way we saw the sets ups for WWI and WWII.
All the way up through modern times. The boys thought this was awesome. I know I keep saying that but what little boy doesn't like big guns?
Entering Jamestown Village. It was nice and empty since most people were still watching the parade.
The little boys had fun chasing giant chickens while Todd and Fisher toured the place.
More maps of the voyage as we made our way toward the ships.
Fisher and Cooper do a lot better on these types of outings now. Tucker runs away bot they tend to be pretty good about staying by us. Fisher loves learning about history.
On the boats. It was a little scary since the boys were so excited and were running all over the place and jumping on things and up onto the side to look over into the water. There were more things for them to touch!
You can see how curious they were. There were so many things to touch and look at. We couldn't keep up with them.
There were some things such as the Captains quarters where we had to tell them to get off since not everything was meant to be touched!
Todd and Tucker overlooking the James River. Last fall the boys and I took a ride with Mom & Dad C on the ferry that crosses the river. It is the ugliest body of water I have seen in the area. Very brown compared to other branches of the Chesapeake and Atlantic.
Next we went through the Powhatan Village. Fisher is very interested in Indians. They learned a lot about Pocahontas this year in school and it is kind of a big deal around here since the earliest settlements took place right around where we live.
The boys helping to carve a canoe.
They loved the inside of the huts. (I know that is not the proper name but oh well.)
My boys.
Totems.
Afterwords we went through the museum. It wasn't until about half way through that Todd saw a sign saying no photos. Oops.
It was a fun day.
I like spending time with the family. I especially like doing it with the older boys and can't wait for Tucker to get older. Traveling and exploring will be so much easier! We have fun seeing new things and look forward to exploring Texas.
