Have you ever gotten to the point where if you didn't take a vacation, you felt like you were going to lose it?? Well, welcome to my months of February and March! I have been working 7 days a week and 12+ hours a day. It's called "Mod Season" in the Vendor world of Bentonville. I LOVE my job, but the time does come when one needs a nice break...no Blackberry, no Internet, no computer, and more importantly...no meetings! About 2.5 weeks ago, a good friend of mine called and asked if I wanted to take a trip. Immediately I said "YES!" So...after a little research, we decided to go to Williamsburg, VA. Both of us have wanted to visit there for some time and there was no time like the present to take action.
Day 1 - Monticello.
The first day in Williamsburg, we decided to drive up to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville. It was only a 2 hour drive up the interstate and with rainclouds looming in Williamsburg, it seemed to be a great idea. Our plan seemed to be working until just before arriving in Charlottesville when the rain found us. Undeterred, we arrived at Monticello. The scenery up the mountain was breathtaking. Monticello sits on the very top of a mountain and if you've spent much time in the mountains, you know that when it's raining there is fog. Fog had settled all around Monticello and we could not see the town below and all the sites of the gardens. Despite the rain, Monticello was a highlight of the trip. A few things that I learned:
1 - I love European Parque floors.
2 - European window shutters that fold in/out on the INside of the window is a wonderful thing...and quite elegant. It's also a lot nicer looking than American blinds.
3 - Mulberry Row - the "road" around the grounds Monticello was a major industrial development in the days of Thomas Jefferson. There were woodworkers, nailsmiths, blacksmiths, gardeners of both produce and flowers/herbs and a smokehouse. These things were originally started as a means to provide for the residents of Monticello, but quickly became a source for the town surrounding it. These trades quickly became a way to financially support Monticello, also.
4 - Thomas Jefferson was a very interesting man. He had very detailed journals and business ledgers, but was no manager of money...odd, I know. He was in great debt when he died.
5 - Thomas Jefferson's book collection was the beginning of the Library of Congress as we know it today. His book room at Monticello is breathtaking....
After a full afternoon at Monticello, we drove back to Williamsburg for dinner. My friend, Mary Anne, has suggested that we have dinner at Barret's, downtown. We "happened" upon this restaurant as we were driving around and went right in....In a word? scrumptous! This restaurant was amazing. A definite "do again" place. The crab cakes were 2nd to none...and I know crab cakes!
Day 2 - Williamsburg - the Revolutionary City.
This is the very center of downtown and is closed to motor vehicles. It is 100% period style: houses, dress, actors acting a typical day, stores, taverns (restaurants), carriages, etc all in period style! It was like literally taking a step back in time and living it firsthand.
Here is the link to the pictures....words fail to describe this experience and pictures speak best.
Day 3 - Jamestown Settlement
This was my least favorite day. Jamestown was where the FIRST settlers landed in the very early 1600's (1607?). When I think of early American History, I automatically think of the American Revolution Era (1700's). The 100 years before that when the settlers first came to Jamestown, life was tough and strict under British rule. The main takeaway for me was understanding the conditions in which the early settlers traveled and survived just to have the hope of a new world. These flagships were small and carried men, women, and children shoulder to shoulder across the icy Atlantic seas for 4 months! At best, these conditions were inhumane. Actually seeing the ships replicated in actual size and layout, really hits home the understanding of what our ancesters were hoping for...
Jamestown PicturesPowhatan Indian Site Pictures
Day 4 - Yorktown
This was the "I wish we could stay longer" place. Yorktown is quaint as it sits on the Bay and hosts all sorts of boats...sailboats, mainly. There is a small beach and a riverwalk that hosts the cutest shops, restaurants, and museums. Yorktown was pivotal in the American Revolution as that is where Cornwalis surrendered to George Washington.
At Yorktown, we went through a very interesting Museum: The American Revolution Victory Center. At this museum, we walked along a timeline that started in the mid-1600's and ended at 1777, a year after the Declaration of Independence. This timeline helped bring all that I had seen in the days prior full circle. It was quite fitting that I had started my "tour" in the home of the man who wrote the Declaration (and actually saw the desk in which this great document was created) and finished it at the "end" while experiencing all the happenings that brought this great country to and through that point.
Today, I am back at home. I have just cleaned my kitchen from lunch where I was surrounded by all my "Arkansas Family" today. I feel rested, energized, and thankful. Today has been good.
Before I close, I just want to reflect briefly on Palm Sunday. It's the day that many years ago, Jesus rode through the city as people waved Palms. They were excited that Jesus had come. Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week...the days leading up to Easter that represent Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, death, and Resurrection. Everything in the Christian life pivots on Easter. Without the happenings of this week, Christmas and any other Christian event would be unmeaningful and unimportant. In this single week, God brought all of his promises to light and gave each one of us hope. Hope for a future, hope that we are loved and hope that we each have a divine plan. I don't know about you, but I have been too busy. Too busy working too hard, too stressed and many other excuses to fully reflect on this season as I should. How can I be too "anything" NOT to reflect and be thankful for all that God is and has done for me?? I am blessed. I have a fantastic life. I am healthy. I have friends who love me. I have family who love me. And I take it all for granted. This week, I will be thankful. This week, I will mediate. This week, I will be all that I can be.
...and next Sunday, I will celebrate!
The picture at the beginning of this post is my favorite picture of the week. Such a simple daffodil and yet so beautiful. Someone (i.e. Mom or MEK) should use this in a painting....???
Below are the rest of my favorite pictures:
Guardsman at the entrance of the Govornor's Palace
Shoes of our "House Guide"
A tree at Monticello...so foggy and misty that everything was in a haze.
Cross monument at Jamestown representing the first settlers of this first city in the New World.
The birthday cake made my yours truly...Butter cake with vanilla buttercream icing.
Courtney talking to Kara...hoping she takes the bait :)
Kara walking in the kitchen....she was the first through the door
Kelly right behind Kara. Priceless face.
Jim & Kara, Kelly & John
The girls:
The men:
The Football Friends
Kelly & Kara playing along with the piano guys....
Erin and the best strawberry cake
