Williamsburg in the Fall: Buildings

We were blessed to spend four full days back at Colonial Williamsburg recently, and we enjoyed the opportunity to see the city in its fall dress since we've only ever seen it in the spring. Instead of taking you through our visit chronologically, we'll present the highlights in a topical manner, starting with several buildings around town.

The Courthouse. Home to the James City County Court and the Williamsburg Hustings Court. Visitors with passes can participate in mock trials here, while everyone is welcome to place their neck, hands, and feet in the stocks and pillory to the east of the building. The interpreter on the porch said that's a cozy place to sit on sunny fall and winter days.

The Governor's Palace. Even though this home is dinky compared to many English manor homes of the colonial age, it was the most impressive in colonial Williamsburg 280 years ago just as it is today. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Palace, special tours focusing on the reconstruction are offered several times each week until the end of the year.

The Capitol. This building is also a reconstruction to honor the period from 1699 to 1780 when Williamsburg was the capital of the colony and state of Virginia. 75th anniversary tours are also being offered in this building until the end of the year, and I found that tour very interesting (although I think I would enjoy almost any tour that combines history and architecture).

The Peyton Randolph House. The portion of the house closest to the camera was built in 1715 and served as the home of the Randolph family for many years including the periods when Mr. Randolph served as Speaker of Virginia's House of Burgesses and as President of the Continental Congresses. It's likely many of Virginia's founding fathers visited this home.

King's Arms Tavern. I included this one since we were fortunate enough to eat here one evening during our stay. All the entrees we tried were delicious, and the candlelit ambiance was a perfect complement to the food.

These are actually outbuildings on the property of a modest home on Nicholson Street, but I think they are close to the definition of quaint with their dormers, shutters, chimneys, roof finial, and ogee-curved roof. Kinda makes you want to put one in your own back yard.

I know I included a photo of the new Coffeehouse in my posts last May, but I figured including it again now is appropriate since this building will open to the public on Friday, November 20. It is intended as an interpretive building illustrating the style and purpose of a colonial coffeehouse, but rumor has it they will also serve coffee, tea, and chocolate. I wouldn't get my hopes up for a latte or espresso though.

We were a bit disappointed to be in town so close to the grand opening and yet not be able to experience it. Hopefully we won't be disappointed the next time we come to town. Thanks for visiting, we'll share more Williamsburg highlights again soon.

More NEPA highlights

Since we enjoy hiking and natural beauty, the Madeiras introduced us to a portion of a beautiful state park not far from their home. We weren't prepared for the rigorous 6 mile hiking trail, but the picturesque 100 yard hike seemed just right for early November.

Follow this sign and you can't go wrong.

Tim showed me where he and his brothers jumped off the rock into the stream when they were boys. Evidently the park rangers frown on that activity nowadays.

This view from downstream shows significant flow for this time of the year.

Tim couldn't resist demonstrating his acrobatic prowess 12 feet off the surface of the water.

Our entire group for the hike, minus the photographer, of course. Poor Rachel wasn't feeling well enough to join us.

Fortunately we got to spend some time with Rachel later in the day. Notice Rachel's soothing effect on Zoe the dog.

Another highlight of the day was the Chocolate Lava cake and ice cream for dessert. Chocolate seems to be a theme when we're with the Madeiras.

Another activity that involved Tim, his dad, his nephew D.J., and me was the construction of this fortress. Tim appreciates a shelter for the plow so he can attach and detach it with minimal snow around the coupling. In the past, he has built less permanent structures based on the fiberglass roof piece, but decided to make a stout enclosure this year. We used 4x4s nestled in concrete porch piers with 2x6 supports between. Eventually, Tim will add something to the three walls to keep the snow from blowing under the roof. In case you hadn't recognized it, the roof is from a pop-up camper (in true Red Green fashion), and similar items can be found near the dumpster of most camper dealerships. I think Tim's "plow garage" will be the envy of the neighborhood and he may have to keep it locked up so no one steals it!

Thanks for visiting!

Stylin' on the lawn mower

Isn't she cute? And she raked up all the leaves too!

On the Road Again...

The past 10 days have found us on the road again, first in Williamsburg, Virginia, and lately in Northeast Pennsylvania. Our friends, the Madeiras, graciously invited us to stay with them so we could experience life in Madeiraville first hand. Only a few of our memories can be captured on a blog, but at least you'll see a bit of what we experienced.


The Madeiras have been supporters of WRGN for many years, so a visit to the radio station's headquarters was high on our list of priorities.

This tabletop display proves that Mr. Madeira is recognized as one of the voices of the station, and we were privileged to hear him record his Friday afternoon music show. The Updykes founded the station 25 years ago and God has obviously blessed their dedication and innovation.

Here's Tim describing the equipment in the production studio in terms that us radio-ignorant people can understand. In this picture I believe he was in the process of explaining that the station is all digital now, and doesn't use the tape reels obvious to his right.

This is the broadcasting studio including all sorts of electronic equipment, much of which is controlled and coordinated by software that Mr. Updyke has written. This image is also evidence that Tim was made for radio broadcasting: look how wide he opens his mouth when he talks -- no mumbling for him!

Mrs. Updyke has been known to review books on the air, so publishers are prone to send her advance copies to generate publicity. What does one do with all those books? WRGN organizes them in a library complete with Mr. Updyke's software that helps you search and locate items. In addition to books, they also have DVDs, and for a small $5 membership fee, families can borrow items to their heart's content. Over 14,000 items are currently available.

WRGN's Share-A-Thon starts on November 18, so the staff has started organizing the donated goodies that will be used as thank you items for contributors.

The station is also fortunate to receive the support of local artist Sue Hand. This painting from Sue reveals what the call letters stand for: We Radiate Good News.

Speaking of Sue Hand, we were also privileged to visit her studio later that same day. This is the only image I have of the building, partly because it is difficult inside the building to actually capture all that goes on inside there. One can purchase Sue's original art here, and have it matted and framed by Sue's husband Joe in the same building. In addition, one can also purchase art supplies and take art lessons, taught by Sue herself. Sue's art can be found in countless locations around Northeast PA, and even in some private collections in Central Illinois.

I hope to post more highlights from our trip soon, so stop back soon, and thanks for visiting!

Reformation Day Faire

Even though our Reformation Day celebration comes a week before the official anniversary this year, we celebrated with gusto again this year with over 400 participants.

I know this is last year's image, but the sign really hasn't changed, so the only difference might be the number of leaves on the ground.

One new feature this year was the temporary wall we built around the entrance to the church building. I think it would have been even better with sentries and archers behind the battlement. The knight with the cell phone in the doorway kinda spoils the effect in this shot. For that matter, this may be the only castle you'll see with handicapped parking so close to the door.

Charlie Zahm provided musical inspiration on Friday and Saturday. You can find Mr. Zahm in several videos on YouTube that demonstrate how powerful his voice is.

On to the Town Square on Saturday where the chessboards stayed busy with impromptu matches. Here, two generations of Degenharts take on the world. Rumor has it the elder Degenhart simply used the chess matches as a diversion while he stole his opponents' money bags from under the table.

Prince John, aka King Castle, demonstrates the time honored skill of candlemaking over a Coleman camping stove. John's costume was so impressive one naturally addressed him as "your majesty."

Not to be outdone, Princess Grace knights Sir Emil before the Battle of the Boffers. No, Sir Emil was not allowed to use that sword during the boffer war, and yes, he does have an earbud and microphone on his left ear (presumably so his comrades can warn him of a surprise attack behind him).

The checkerboards were just as busy as the chessboards as the young men sought to sharpen each other's critical thinking skills.

Never one to miss an opportunity to pick up some pocket change playing for tips, our lonely piper was back again this year. Unfortunately he was unable to bring the junior corps along, contrary to my expectations.

Karen appears to be delighted about something as she readys herself for her next customer at her wheat weaving booth.

Lily and I trying to stay in our "happy places" while we thread needles and tie knots at Bag End, our felt bag making booth.

Princess Elisabeth showing me her best courtesy. One is humbled to receive such an honor.

Gretel reluctantly modeling her new gown that Lily created for her. I say "reluctantly" because there were at least three people in the sanctuary that may have been watching while we took this photo. Sometimes a dad just has to be firm.

I'll close with this image of Sir David and Lady Annette from the kingdom of Bull Valley.

My photos are not representative of the entire celebration as we had several lectures by Douglas Bond, Marcus Serven, and James McDonald that composed the real meat of the weekend. You can purchase audio of the weekend at Resounding Voice, and watch videos on YouTube courtesy of Douglas Bond and others.