Memories of the way things...we were

Memories….of the way things we were

Please excuse my tardiness on getting out relevant information about our journey but time is hard to come by when you are a single traveler with 2 kids, one of which needs time to get school done. Our travels to Williamsburg and surrounding area were both enlightening and nostaligic. As we cruised merrirly along it occurs to me that I was once an easterner and all the skills and traits you develop to survive here come flooding back like basic instincts. The traffic here is something to behold and it is frightening in a 60’ rig especially when you have grown accustomed to the rush minute of your hometown. This is my old stomping ground, the central east coast and so I am getting to visit childhood friends and seeing interesting places along the way. The area around Williamsburg is now known as the historic triangle and for years I thought it was the first European colonization of the US until my culture clash occurred in New Mexico and I realized the English were “Johnny come lately’s”. Still it is fascinating to be an adult with history that makes living history all the more engaging. We stayed on the opposite side of the James River and had to take a ferry over everyday which gives you time to pull your self together for the day, it was great. For the kids sake, I broke up our history tour with a trip to Busch Gardens where our friend Bill came and joined us and we did the little kid trade off while also having someone to ride the roller coasters with Mariah (real hardship). I remember when one of the roller coasters (called the Loch Ness) opened and I had to wait in line for 2 hours to ride it and I did that over and over. The park this time was empty and we could get on most ride in less than 5 minutes even the brand new one they just opened. Physics is a wonderful science and when applied to thrill rides it can become magical. The newest trend in roller coasters is to suspend seats from the top which gives the designer the freedom to throw you in new directions that suspend your belief you are going to live through the experience. After the first ride you scream and laugh like you are immortal and isn’t that what roller coasters are all about?
Williamsburg is the same as it was when I visited and John Adams visited and …just kidding but it really hasn’t changed except in some presentations. They now have living history in new way. Instead of just the saddlery shop and the blacksmith shop etc, they have live plays of historical events. The 2cnd day we were there, they had the citizens doing skits about the revolutionary war and it’s affects on their lives(each day it is a different aspect of the colonial times). They stood on the capital building steps and read the Declaration of Independence. It is a very powerful document especially when read aloud. Another skit, Benedict Arnold and his crony rode into the town and declared the British victors and the interaction between him and the “colonists” was moving. Williamsburg continues to be a first class operation.
Jamestown and the ships were also very interesting but after our experience at Henricus and the fact that we only had half a day to enjoy it, it didn’t measure up to Williamsburg. We did get to go onboard the ships and from that I picked a detail which had escaped me for years. The ships that brought over the colonists were cargo ships and the colonists were cargo and not much more. They stayed in the hold of the ship for the entire 4 month journey. Perspective is another beautiful thing especially for the kids (they have to be older to have nostalgia!). We did not get to see the Yorktown vistor center unfortunately but I think we were all a little historied out at that point but the battlefield was interesting and the town is well preserved and so you could appreciate how strategic it all was.
With fond farewells to our friend Bill, we headed to the seat of the nation, Washington DC. For those of you who don’t know, I grew up in SW DC. On the journey there we stopped at the boarding school I attended called St. Margarets. It is still there with giggling girls going into town for ice cream and now coffee at the new coffee shop with internet. I had great fun showing the kids where I spent some of my formative years and thinking about them in a philosophical sense.
The nations capital is alive and well. My friend Greg is graciously letting us use his place as a home base and we spent our first day being escorted around the capital by one of Pete Domenci’s staff, Monica. The artwork, especially the statues donated by the states was intriguing. One of the statues New Mexico donated was of (I know I can’t spell this) Po’Pay who is the Indian who started the pueblo revolt. I found it interesting that many states had rebel statues. We really do celebrate those whose nature is to go against the grain. Patriotism runs high when you walk in the footsteps of the most powerful nation in the world. Government is a funny thing however. When we went into the Senate gallery, there was a senator orating loquaciously about the immigration legislation and referring to his colleagues on both sides of the issue as if they were in the room with him and the room is empty except for some staff and the Senate majority leader who I guess always has to be there. I understand it about congressional record (for the record etc) but it feels like a dog and pony show. Still issues are being addressed and things are getting done. Collective good will bless America!
There is a new museum on the mall and it is dedicated to the Native American and the architecture is worth the trip. It seems some of the museums are closed for renovation which was a shame. We only got to see part of the Natural History museum and even part of that was closed. Late in the day I took the kids to my old neighborhood where I spent my exciting, dysfunctional childhood (nothing personal mom). Nothing has changed since I was there and I am still impressed with the urban planning that went into the neighborhoods of the area. It is still beautiful and functional but still underutilized.
It was a lovely day and we look forward to returning after we rest up.
Memorial Day weekend is upon us and Rolling Thunder rides into DC. Veterans from all over come here to pay their respects to fallen comrades and I salute all my veteran friends this weekend via the internet. Saturday was a day of schooling for Mariah and rest for me which was desperately needed. Greg, Olivia and I did go to downtown Georgetown in the evening and wow has that changed since my party days. It is so very, very upscale and there are designer stores (finally filled with people), multiple overpriced restaurants and bars. The old waterfront where I used to enjoy cheap beer in seedy hangouts is now a park with chic bars overlooking the waterfront. It really is quite nice.
That covers the journey’s from then till now and hope all of you are having a lovely Memorial day weekend. Summer heat is here and I look forward to enjoying the dryness of the southwest soon. Hugs to all, Francie with the Meanderthals -1
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