Back and Gone Again
Williamsburg was a blast. Yesterday was the "Grand Illumination" of Williamsburg, which kicks off the Christmas season. The colonial town was decked out in all its finest holiday glory. Tens of thousands of people descended on the area to catch a glimpse of the fireworks that took place. I was seated on the north side of the capitol building where I was serenaded with fife and drums, lute singers, and Christmas choruses. The backdrop of the old House of Burgesses made for a great fireworks show.
I took 150 photos that I'll sort through later. I'll post some when I have a chance but probably not until the weekend.
For now, I'm back from Williamsburg and on to Tucson for business meetings. Blogging will be scant this week because of my travels. For now, I leave you with a picture of one of my favorites moments: a town meeting hosted by none other than His Excellency, Colonel Washington. He gave a rousing speech to the crowd.
Enjoy.
K-
The more I hear about Williamsburg, the more I want to go there. Now if I can just convince Don.
Cas
I'll be checking back to see your pictures.
Haven't made it to Williamsburg. I think I fear the theme park element I associate with it. Maybe I'll have to try to get over that. (And I've been partial to Civil War sites; spent one memorable summer afternoon a few years back on impromptu stops at the Gaines Mill and Cold Harbor battlefields, the little house where Stonewall Jackson died, and the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania. It being the middle of the week, we were nearly by ourselves everywhere we stopped. My brother and I have also stopped several times at the state park just off I-95 on the south bank of the Susquehanna, just above Chesapeake Bay. Among other things, it's the former estate of an Army officer who resigned his commission to join the Confederates. I'll stop my run-on tour-guiding there.)
To equate Williamsburg to a theme park does it a disservice. It's not connected with Busch Gardens, for instance. There are things there to appeal to a broad spectrum. But the actors stay in character and nearly all know their history. Furthermore, Williamsburg really was the colonial captial of Virginia. So the capitol and governor's palace for instance are genuine. Outside Colonial Williamsburg is the tacky shopping district but they aren't connected.
K-
Well, that's why I was careful to say that was an element I associate with the park -- it's my perception, rather than reality. So, suitably chastened ;>, next time I'm in the Commonwealth maybe we'll make the side trip.