MY HEAD HURTS

My head hurts because of all the history I’m taking in on our travels through Virginia and beyond. And today’s destination (Colonial Williamsburg) fills it up even more.

As with all the other blogs, I have to start out with a story. Mapquest informs us it’s only a three hour drive from doorstep to lamp post, but with R. and I - trips sometimes take on a mind of their own. After going 15 miles out of our way - we find out one should put the exact address in for where one is leaving from OR getting to where one is going take one a tab longer than planned.

But we get to Colonial Williamsburg with plenty of daylight to spare. Signs point to the Visitor’s Center and we pay admission to see the sights, but first there’s a movie they want us to watch. The woman says Jack Lord stars in the film (for those of you who don't remember him - he's the HUNK from Hawaii 50 and always said, "Book 'em Danno" in the coolest sort of way).

Unfortunately, my honey (Mr. Lord, that is) didn’t cause my heart to do its usual pitter patter. Instead, I want to laugh when he appears on screen because he’s wearing a mauve (I’m being kind-it’s pink) suit coat and trousers, and he’s sportin’ a ponytail. So much for swooning after him today.


Next stop is the Governor’s Palace. A guide (dressed in period clothing) takes us through the enormous home. It’s beautiful, but I thought the colors choices were interesting (and ugly) in the dining area, but the molding around the doors and windows – stunning.

We tour the shops in and around Colonial Williamsburg (and there’s lots of them). About 3:00 o'clock we decide we're starving and start our trek up and down and back up and back down Duke of Gloucester Street looking for something to eat.

Unbeknownst to us - the historic eateries all close at 1:30 to start preparing for dinner (which starts at 5:00). Seems kind of strange it would take them 3 ½ hours to get things ready, but that’s what the sign says. Hot, tired and hungry, we trudge to the main street and find a small sandwich shop and devour a belated lunch and some much needed shade.

Refreshed, we leave the quaint community behind and we're on the road again. This time to Norfolk, Virginia (only 60 miles away). As we near our destination, imagine our surprise when the last three miles of the journey includes a tunnel – or I should say an UNDER WATER byway (no photos taken here ‘cause I’m too freaked out and if you think I’m kidding ask R.)

He assures me we’re not going to die or drown and I feel much better. We find a place to stay near the water and settle in for the night (that is, after more nourishment - just in case everything closes down early).


Then it's off to bed we go! Tomorrow's another day of seeing the sights.

Morning brings sunshine and blue skies and a walk on the beach. Can't miss
out on collecting seashells from the seashore.









Here is where we buys tickets for a special boat ride. R., me and the 'kids' get on board of the Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise. The captain takes us out and along the way he gives us a bird's eye view of the seaport, world’s largest naval base (home of the Atlantic Fleet: Destroyers, Guided Missile Cruisers, Submarines and more (yes, the last sentence was from their brochure-couldn’t have said it better myself).

The captain rattles off the names of the ships, their weight and cost faster than a gunner could shoot off a round of ammunition at the enemy (I hope I have this lingo right). Every ship we passed seems enormous, but then the crown jewels of the Navy fleet came into view - the aircraft carriers.


I know the women quit reading a while back, but I know I've got the men's attention. These monsters impressed the socks right off of me. I can't believe they house 6,000 Navy personnel. The captain said they're floating cities, decked out with a movie theatre, fast food restaurant, stores. All the comforts of home.

Hey, guys, I’ve got an idea - if you have some loose change lying around, you can pick one of these babies up for around $8 BILLION DOLLARS. It’d be great! You’d be the first on your block to own one. HA!!

The captain and his crew announce our cruise is finished. Guess it’s time to head back to Herndon to plan our next adventure. I wonder where we’ll go???

Love ya,
nettie

PS: Had to leave you with a funny. They follow us wherever we go and this one brought a definite chuckle. My Texas friends will totally understand this person's thinking!!!! Gotta love ingenuity.