The Rest of Spring Break

I have been remiss in getting this up. After we returned from Busch Gardens, we prepared for the arrival of our visitors coming the next day. Tamara (Ryan's wife) and our nieces (their daughters) Brinley and Maddie came to stay with us for a few days. Even though we had a busy three days, I have very few pictures. It seems I never managed to have my camera on me until Saturday, our last day together.

It was nice to visit with our cousins and become reacquainted. Jon wondered where the boys were as he was surrounded by girls, but we all had a very good time. Tamara and I visited Monticello, and the weather could not have been better. We took the kids to the park. We went to the children's museum and to Michie's Tavern and just did a lot of playing and having fun.

On Saturday, we had to return the Warner girls to Maryland, where Tamara's sister lives. We made a day of it and stopped first at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is near Dulles airport. It is part of the Smithsonian and is loosely considered the overflow for Air and Space. It was A LOT of fun. There was lots to see, and though the favorite differed from person to person, for my boys, it was definitely the space shuttle Enterprise. Jon was beyond excited to see a real space shuttle up close and then to see all the rockets and satellites there as well.

Looking across the hangar from one of the upper level walk ways

My cute boys in front of the Space Shuttle

Another picture of the Space Shuttle

After some lunch, we braved the traffic and people in D.C. on the last day of the Cherry Blossom Festival and went to the National Aquarium. (I have personally never seen D.C. so packed). The aquarium there isn't huge, but it was a lot of fun. They have it divided up by regions which is fun. Jon was, of course, so excited to see the Leopard and Horn sharks from the channel islands off the coast of Southern California UNTIL, he found the giant pacific octopus. The octopus was in hiding, but you could see part of its head and a couple moving tentacles. Jon sat vigil outside that tank willing the octopus to come out. He could not be enticed to move not even for a huge lobster and a puffer fish. He eventually had to be carried out of the aquarium in tears. He did recover quickly though. On our way to the car, Trent treated everyone but himself (Trent does not like going around in circles) to a ride on the carousel outside the Smithsonian Castle. What fun.

Tamara with Maddie. Brinley and Ashley are just up from there. You can kind of see Ashley waving.

Jon and Sami and a horribly cheesy me.

We took our guests back to Maryland and after a great dinner and a visit returned home. What a great time.

Busch Gardens

First of all, there has to be a great big thanks to Anheiser-Busch. Their salute to heroes program has enabled us to get free admission to Sea World in 2005 and now to Busch Gardens. Very cool. We also ran into the Majors Wolverton and their son and Major Hudspeth that day.

The weather was cold on Tuesday. We were glad for jackets and coats and sometimes hats. We didn't get any rain though. We did get some mist in the later afternoon, but it never really seemed to get anything wet. It wasn't so cold it was miserable, but it did keep a lot of people away, so we rarely waited for anything. As a matter of fact, when Ashley wanted to go on Corkscrew Hill a second time, she decided against it, because there weren't enough people in line yet, and she would have done it all by herself.

After many negotiations between Ashley and Trent, this trip was planned. You see, Ashley tends to be scared of the bigger rides, and Dad wanted her to do at least one with him. The trade off was kind of funny. She rode Escape from Pompeii with Dad.

Trent, in turn, rode the tea cups and Corkscrew Hill with Ashley. I went on Corkscrew Hill with Ashley and Jon last August, so I knew what he was in store for. He definitely needed to sit down after that experience. Nothing like the feeling of being shrunk down to leprechaun size, put in a box, picked up by a couple of boys, shaken around, taken on a horse ride and then dropped by a Griffon into the sea only to be saved at the last minute.

It appears that Samantha is our roller coaster rider. Unfortunately, she is still too small. She cried hard and sincere tears at not going on Escape from Pompeii, Corkscrew Hill, or The Big Bad Wolf. She did go on the Battering Ram (think variation of popular ride in which ship swings back and forth and gets higher each time) with me. She liked it until it got too high. At that point, she buried her head in my arm and screamed, oh dear! Too funny.

There was plenty Sami could ride on this time around though, and the kids had a great time.

Ashley and Sami on the hot air balloons in the Davinci section

There was also the Land of the Dragons, which is just for kids. The kids can get on all of those rides by themselves. There is also a three story tree house with rope bridges and several "trees." Jon, our climber, absolutely loved that part. He climbed every route possible I think.

Ashley and Samantha on the egg ride. Think small ferris wheel.

Jon in a dragon boat

Those hats were a big hit by the way. Many a park worker referred to my kids by name. Thanks again Randi, Keith, and Destri.

Sami and Jon on one of the many rope bridges

Did I mention that we didn't really have to wait for anything? It was great. As a result, at the end of the day, Trent decided to take a quick ride on the Griffon. He swears it was amazing. I think I can skip the whole floorless 250ft. 90 degree drop, but just so you know, Trent highly recommends it. You can click on the link for much better footage of the whole thing. The kids and I ate treats and watched. Jon loves watching The Griffon. He loves watching it splash through the water and create the huge rooster tails. He is too small to go on it, but he wouldn't even if he could.

Turns out this was the car before Trent. This gives an idea of the first drop that they hang you over before dropping the coaster. Yes, Trent waited for one car, because he wanted to sit IN THE FRONT!

Trent is actually in this car. Want to try and figure out which one is him? That is Ashley at the railing watching for her Dad.

Warner family totem pole. As good as it was going to get.

No pictures, but we ended the day with a train ride, and the girls petted Barry the Clydesdale. I have NEVER seen stables so immaculate in my life as the stables for those Budweiser Clydesdales. After petting the horse, Sami amused the workers by saying, "Barry, I kiss you," and then giving Barry a kiss on the neck. A VERY fun day.

Yorktown

Yorktown was the afternoon part of the same day we spent at Jamestown. As mentioned in the post below, we changed our initial plans to go to Busch Gardens on Monday and Jamestown on Tuesday. As a result, after Jamestown and after lunch, we had a bit of time before we could check into our hotel. Why not go to Yorktown? It is quite close. (If you want more than my scant info., you can click on the link in the Jamestown post.)

We drove out to Yorktown and went through the victory center and 19th century farm they have there. There is a great timeline of events leading up to the Revolution that lines the path from the entry building to the museum portion. The kids weren't really into reading it in its entirety by that point. In fact, we first arrived, they were all asleep. We got to look at a few things and then wander through the museum. The museum is fun and interesting. The kids loved the salvaged remains of The Betsy, and the whole thing was pretty interesting.

After leaving the museum, we went through the encampment. That was a favorite of course, because the kids got to go in the tents and poke around and all the rest.

Encampment

Ashley and Sami exploring a tent

The writing desk in an officers tent. Very different idea of war correspondence.

The camp kitchen as introduced by the Baron Von Steuben. It is pretty cool how this worked. The kids, Ashley and Jon in particular, were both fascinated and off put by the barrels of salted pork. We had to explain that refrigerators weren't a reality and preservation was necessary. They also thought the peas and pork looked unappetizing. Too bad I didn't get a picture of the 18th century equivalent of pilot biscuits!

After visiting the farm, we drove down to the battlefield. It was too early in the season and too late in the day for an official tour. Our kids would not have been able to endure that either. I am glad we went down to the site though. It is one of those places where you can feel the history. All the grassed over hills are obviously manmade embattlements. You can still see to a degree, all these years later, how things were generally set up.

Looking over the battlefield from the British defensive lines.

Also from the British Defensive lines. You can see how they were backed up to the sea where the French presence prevented any retreat via water.

Williamsburg is great. There is SOOOOO much to do. I highly recommend it. After these adventures, it was to the hotel for some swimming. Jon, who was initially afraid, took to the whole thing very well and had a great time kicking around in his floaty. It was great to see him enjoy swimming so much and to have something that he was good at independent of his sisters.

Jamestown

We did so much over Spring Break. We did a lot even for our two days in Williamsburg. As a result, I will probably do several posts. Our initial plan was to travel to Williamsburg Monday morning and be there by 10:00 a.m. when Busch Gardens opened. It was cold and raining off and on as we drove, so we switched our plans and went to Jamestown and Yorktown on Monday and Busch Gardens on Tuesday.

The weather mostly cooperated. We didn't really get rained on just misted on a bit. It was cold, but we had coats, and (thanks to Trent) hats for everybody. We were plenty warm.

Jamestown is so great. The indoor museum part has so much information and is broken up along a time line starting with 1607 and moving forward. There is enough to do and explore that the kids liked that part too. The outdoor museum portion is amazing. Everything is hands on, which is fun for the kids and for us as well. Outside, they have a recreation of a Powhatan village, replicas of the three ships that initially arrived at Jamestown in 1607 to establish the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, and the James Fort.

Ashley was really excited about the Powhatan village (especially after she learned that Pocahontas was real).

Ashley using oyster shells to scrape the hair off of the deer hide

Ashley and Samantha at the door of a hut. Ashley is pounding corn into cornmeal.

Inside the hut

After the village, we went to the waterfront to see the ships. Jon kept begging to see the "pirate ships." It was really fun. I was surprised at how small the ships are considering how many people traveled on them. No wonder so many of them died on the journey. On a ship that 12 people crew when they sail it now, nearly 100 people traveled. I know, I know, get on with the pictures already.

The Susan Constant (The largest of the three ships)

On the deck of the Susan Constant

One of the racks (beds) aboard the Susan Constant

Jon manning a canon

Looking from the Susan Constant past the Discovery to the Elizabeth and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The Elizabeth didn't actually make the original journey to Jamestown in 1607. It is standing in place of the Godspeed, which is being worked on. Last year was the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. Queen Elizabeth was present for a ceremony last spring I believe. I think the Elizabeth has been there since.

The Discovery. See how small it is? Nearly 2/3 of the individuals traveling on The Discovery died in passage to the Americas. The trip (depending on stops) took anywhere from 8 weeks to 3 1/2 months.

Jon and Sami swabbing the deck

Now onto James Fort. (What?!?!? Aren't you done with this post yet?!?) I haven't written much or been interesting I know, but it was such a great time and a great place to visit. I can't help but post all these pictures. I am sure most of my 6 regular readers won't mind. Besides, I left out all the gunpowder storage pics and the firing of the musket pics. That scared Samantha by the way.

The outside of the fort

The kids trying on armor at the armory. I think they look a bit like Oompa Loompas

The Anglican Chapel

Trent giving a sermon

Making nails at the Smithy

AND FINALLY!!!!

The hem of Sami's pants an inch deep in Jamestown mud I am sure of it.

Next up, Yorktown. There are fewer pictures. Some of you might actually make it to the end of that post to make a comment.

A Visitor

We often have birds, deer and squirrels visit our yard, but today we had a small fox. Sami was petrified at first. She thought it was "the big bad wolf."

It was injured, so we were worried that if startled it might pick fight over flight. Therefore, the kids had to stay indoors. We called security but never saw anyone come by. The last we saw of the fox, it crawled under our deck. We are hoping it has since departed.

Has the Universe Changed?

Friday night was the season premiere of the forth and last season of Battlestar Gallactica. Trent has been looking forward to this for a LONG time. He has loved this show since its beginning.

Well, while watching tv the weekend before or something like that, we saw a piece with the producers kind of summing everything up and then getting people ready for season 4. There was then a short episode of people who love the show talking about how much they love the show. One guy even said that for him and his wife, if one were to watch it without the other, it would be grounds for divorce.

I have caught a few episodes here and there and know that basics of the storyline, but it was undeniably TRENT'S show.

This week, SciFi has shown all the seasons up until now to get ready for season 4. No, I didn't watch 10 hours a day, but I caught a few more episodes. Guess what? I am now totally into it. I find myself quizzing Trent about all my questions. He has few answers, so now I am reading boards and recaps. That is a sure sign that I am addicted. We watched Friday night, and I have to say that it really was frakking awesome.

If my turning into a BSG fan isn't enough of a sign, while channel surfing earlier in the evening before family movie night started, Trent indicated he preferred leaving the tv on Pride and Prejudice rather than turning it to Stargate. Something has happened with the alignment of the Universe.

Stop the Presses!

There is now a stop light in Fluvanna County! Actually, it is a four way intersection of stop lights. I saw it with my own eyes today when I drove Ashley to a play date. It is the first and only stop light in the county, which until now has had no street or stop lights. I wonder how they managed that. Will a new cell tower for better reception be next? I know. Don't count on it.