Williamsburg Getaway Part II

The second day of our trip we went back in time about 150 years from what we had seen the previous day in Williamsburg.  The rain scheduled to arrive around noon sent us scurrying to the Jamestown Settlement, hopeful that we could see the outdoor exhibits before it poured.  This is a much smaller deal than Williamsburg, but the huge parking lots suggested it becomes very crowded in the summer.  We, however, got the absolute best parking spot and were the first visitors the Powhatan Indian interpreters had seen all morning.

Burning the bottom of the canoe flat

We had watched youtube videos about this place, so we were prepared.  Sapphire saw a bear skin and instantly made friends with the interpreter, telling him all about Mordu from the movie *Brave* while he tried to work facts about Powhatan life into their conversation.  We saw deer skin covered beds, a smoldering canoe project, and oyster shells to scrape hides.  The girls hopped around from house to house, asking questions of the very attentive grownups in rawhide clothes.

of course she wanted to hold the sword

The tiny Powhatan village sidles up to Fort James, the recreated palisades and barracks.  Ruby liked the chickens, and Pearl enjoyed trying on the heavy armor and wearing it around.  At one point Sapphire disappeared, and when looked I found her posing at the church doorway for a crowd of Chinese tourists, all snapping away at her demure little act.  "They like to take my picture," she murmured, as she threw them a sweet smile, much sweeter than what she pulls out for me whenever I point the camera her way! These were the same Chinese tourists we met yesterday, and I chatted with one before they scuttled off. We meanwhile took our time and made the interpreters work. 

The rain began to fall as we climbed aboard the first of two ships at anchor in the man made harbor. It is shocking that people would agree to come across the ocean in such tiny vessels. I learned that in the smaller one, settlers had to sleep in the hold on top of the barrels of supplies, giving them about three feet of clearance and a very bumpy berth.  I also discovered that a distracted 2 year old can drop her tiny rag of a washcloth (we call it "washy") in many different hiding spots while on board a 17th century ship.  Somehow I found it each time. We saw a bald eagle and a blue heron.

Ruby on a Powhatan bed of deer hides

Pearl seemed to enjoy the indoor galleries we toured after lunch.  They had the dates pained high on the beams, and she really understood that we were seeing time speed up and the developments in the region.  Anything to do with Pocahontas was a hit, but they also sat through the few short movies with rapt attention.  We really just sped through it, but I was surprised how they handled the museum situation. In all, we did better today, but perhaps it was because there was less walking and no antiques. We could touch everything, and they pretty much did.

Instead of more learning, the rain drove us back to the hotel, but that was ok after our busy day yesterday. We enjoyed dinner at an Indian restaurant. Ruby and I love curry, and the other two made do with naan and rice.  It was a bit fancier than I expected, but I suggested we act like princesses, and the staff complimented us on how quiet the girls were.  They sound like angels, but I got indigestion trying to eat fast enough to get us out of there before Sapphire fell over the back of the booth and Ruby broke something.

The swimming was a huge hit, and the two big girls said that was their favorite part, although Pearl also listed the Palace at Williamsburg as a special place. Our trip home Wednesday went smoothly except for a gps problem and a fit Ruby threw in the car just when I was most lost.  We made it home in time for me to get to class, and the girls regaled their daddy with stories of the trip. 

We did it!

He had a funny woolen hat