Kenilworth Aquatic Park & Gardens

Senior Picnic June 16, 2018

On the east bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., surrounded by 75 acres of fresh water tidal wetlands, the park is eight acres of water loving plants, 45 ponds filled with a variety of tropical and hardy water lilies, lotus, and more.  We had a great tour and great lunch with other senior couples we don't see very often.

Gladiolus

Different phases of a Magnolia bloom

Historic Jamestown

May 27, 2018

After exploring Colonial Williamsburg, we went to Historic Jamestown. In 1607, 104 colonists established the Colony of Virginia, with Jamestown as it's capitol. To say the least, they had a terrible time of it for years. In the winter of 1610-1611, 240 people died of starvation. The 30 that survived did so by eating their dead neighbors. But supplies and more people came, and they survived until 1622, when the native population attacked and killed 347 people, a third of the population.  Jamestown burned down several times. This is where John Smith and Pocahontas lived. Virginia was the first British colony to make slavery  legal. This was so interesting, but a lot of it was reading the history placards as you walked, so not many pictures.  They have a education center which has a ton of information and items they have dug up, including people!

This church has burned and been rebuilt several times, but 

they are excavating underneath it.

Original bell tower on the church has survived. Inside is empty.

People were excavating. They were very friendly. They said 

they always fine something everyday.

This is a bake oven that was broken into 600 pieces

and they put it back together.

Artifacts

Colonial Williamsburg Museums - Part 4

Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum & Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum

These two museums were the finest of any that we have seen since we have been here. The Folk Art was my favorite. The pictures do not do them justice and this is just a sampling.

Noah's Ark Toy Set

Dulcimers

Colonial Williamsburg, Fifes and Drums - Part 3

The first evening at dusk, surprise to us, the Fifes and Drums, played and marched from the Governor's Palace down the Palace Green. Grabbed what pictures I could.

Then the next day was the 60th Anniversary Grand March and Review and the Fifes and Drums alumni played and marched down Duke of Gloucester Street. So patriotic, and fun.

The Trainees

The Alumni

Fifes and Drums

Colonial Williamsburg - Part 2

Most of the trade shops are up and down Duke of Gloucester Street.  We saw the Apothecary, Bindery, Printing Office, Wigmaker, Shoemaker, Silversmith, and Colonial Garden. There was also the Blacksmith, Brickyard, Cabinetmaker, Candlemaker, Carpenter, Foundry, Joinery, Tailor, Tin Shop, Weaver, Wheelwright, and  Public Leather Works. There was more too...

The Courthouse

They said her name was Lady Washington

They also said Memorial Weekend is not too crowded and 

we hit it early in the morning and it did not get crowded 

until lunchtime.

The Bakery - Ginger Cakes! Unbelievably deliciously!
The baker heats up brick ovens by wood fires every
morning at 7:00 am and cooks until noon.

Preacher in the Raleigh Tavern

Gunsmith

Beef Pot Pie at Shields Tavern. We shared, it was huge and delicious.

The waitress told us the history of the building while we ate.

The Milliner Shop