Visiting History
Welcome back to another (I hope) interesting blog post about writing and a writer's mind. To celebrate my husband's birthday, we did a small vacation to Washington DC and nearby Williamsburg. He hadn't been to the area since Nixon was president and I'd never been, so it sounded like a fun getaway. Two days in DC and two days in Williamsburg with a day in between for travel. We did the quick trip due to the doggies at home who don't do well with strangers or kennels.
Step back in time. The buildings and town of Williamsburg are set in the Early Colonial period when the small area was the capitol of the English settlement. Governor's appointed by King George made their home in the Governor's Palace. Later, Thomas Jefferson would spend time in the building and left behind detailed drawings and floor plans which became important in the reconstruction of the historical home. 
Today, you can tour the Palace and walk through the gardens. While at one time, the main floor collapsed into the cellar, having the drawings was vital to the reconstruction. With the attached ballroom, marble entryway and fragrant gardens, be sure to spend time examining all the details of a time long past.
At the Palace are working kitchens where you can see actual food from the period being made as well as many helpful docents wearing a variety of clothes from the period. Horse-drawn carriages travel the roads giving visitors a glimpse into history.
Additionally, there are other wonderful historic buildings in the town. We sat in and participated at a reenactment in the courthouse, which shed light on how right in Williamsburg the seeds of the American Revolution as well as the Bill of Rights began.
For those people who are looking for more than history, the surrounding area boasts world-class golf courses, outlet malls, children and pet friendly hotels and amazing eateries. Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and Great Wolf Lodge are close by and it's only a short drive to the ocean. In addition, it's the location of The College of William and Mary.
The historic shopping district was one of my favorites as I was able to see items made in the village as well as sample some local food in a historical tavern. But there was so much to see and do, that we could have easily spent more than two nights in town! Two other historic towns- Yorktown and Jamestown are both close by and form a triangle of history!
But you don't have to take my word on all the amazing things you'll see. You can check it out for yourself. Williamsburg Tourism
My trip was for pleasure but I did get some work done as well. I have a new release coming out in a few days. Only This Tuesday: A Copper Mills Novella is a stand alone story (for now) which takes place in Arizona.
Blurb:
Only This Tuesday...
Tuesday Benson sets out to escape her past. A thieving
boyfriend. A bankrupt restaurant. Memories of her brother. She's started over
in Copper Mills with a taco truck more popular than most of the local eateries.
But when Tuesday hires a local boy to help, will she stir up something more
than a tasty treat?
Mayor Blake Rodgers enjoys the simple things in life. An early
morning jog. Down-home cooking. The comradery of the small-town residents. With
his help, Copper Mills has become a trendy tourist destination. But when Blake
falls for the controversial food-truck owner, will he lose the town's backing?
Toss in bigotry and gossip as well as the mayor's former
fiancée, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Come Visit Copper Mills, Arizona--a small town with a heart as big as
the wide-open spaces and a long history of making dreams come true.
Available in ebook and print
Until next month...
Melissa Keir
Hi, Melissa! My family went to Williamsburg years ago and loved it. The temp was incredibly hot; so I'm thinking you went at the perfect time of year. We drove to Monticello which was awesome and stayed in DC, one night we experienced Fourth of July fireworks with the Washington Monument in the background. Nothing better.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your trip with us! I haven't been in years but there is so much to see it would probably take several trips to see everything. Only This Tuesday sounds like a fun read and I'm adding it to my TBR list:)
Thank you Vicki. I do agree, it's one of those trips you have to make in a lifetime. We didn't get to see any fireworks while we were in Washington DC but I loved Arlington Cemetery. The feels there... wow!
ReplyDeleteThank you Paris. I do agree, you need to go more than one time or to take a longer vacation. You can always find things to do, even if it's swimming in the pool!
Melissa, your trip brought back memories of when my sisters and I visited the historical town of Williamsburg. I loved it. Thanks for sharing and bringing those memories back.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Williamsburg many times. We lived in Virginia when my father was at the Pentagon. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com from the USA
I've never wandered around this part of the country but it's on my "one of these days" list. Thank you for the opportunity to armchair travel!
ReplyDelete