Just getting back from a short weekend in Colonial Williamsburg

[gossame1]

Hello Gang,

Just getting back from a short weekend trip down to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Sorry, no ongoing trip report this time,(Dialup connectivity issues at the resort) so I'll say it here.

Left for Williamsburg on Friday afternoon around 2:30 and arrived around 8:30-9ish. The traffic was at a standstill in several places, one of which was Fredericksburg. Apparently, there were several accidents in the northbound section of I-95 that was the cause of the holdups. (So much for trying to make good time!) I arrived safely and checked into the timeshare resort in which I stayed. I stayed at Fairfield Kingsgate, right on the main drag into Williamsburg.

Saturday, got up and ventured into the historical section which was all decorated for the holidays in "Colonial" style. (wreaths and garlands using fruit and various other things. No tinsel or flashy decorations here!) Did some shopping in Merchant's Square and unfortunately couldn't find anything for presents that I had liked for my family and friends that I buy for. (Everything seemed to be picked over pretty good!) I attended one of the colonial "Town Auctions" that was going on. The auction is one of my favorite things to see while down there. They usually have things sold in the small stores in the Colonial areas for a small discount over the retail prices offered in the stores. They usually have some small things like little handmade dolls ($15) to pewter coffee and tea sets that go for around $700. I had the chance to eat at one of my favorite restaurants down there as well. My favorite restaurant down there is the Trellis Restaurant, which is known for the dessert "Death By Chocolate". "Death By Chocolate" is a multi-layered chocolate cake with different kinds of chocolate layers and covered in a chocolate ganache sauce. The entire cake (8 pieces) weighs approximately 10 pounds (No Joke!) and probably puts triple that where you don't want it! (LOL!)The cake is very rich and very delicious. ! It usually takes me approximately 2-3 days to eat one piece. You can't finish it all at once.

Sunday was spent back in the Colonial areas as well as the local outlet malls right outside the Colonial area. I found a few things, but when I went back, they were gone. My luck. That evening I had attended an evening concert featuring one of Williamsburg's famous musicians, Dean Shostak, who played a holiday concert on several glass instruments, including the glass armonica which was invented by Benjamin Franklin, and a few other Colonial Williamsburg musicians, as well as a special appearance by Ben Franklin direct from Philadelphia. The portrayer of Ben Franklin is the one that you see in all the Philadelphia functions that feature Ben Franklin. He appears down in Williamsburg 3 times a year.

On Monday, I found out some bad news, two of my favorite stores caught on fire and were destroyed. (The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, and a Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream parlor) The fire is still under investigation. I usually bring back some of the peanut butter for some of my colleagues at work. I picked up a sandwich at the Cheese Shop, and was on my way back home around 11 am. I arrived home here in Delaware around 3:30. Lost an hour due to road construction on I-95 on the northbound side.

Happy to be back home, and now just time to crash and relax from all the driving!

BTC

[low300]

SOUNDS LIKE A FUN DRIVE

[gossame1]

SOUNDS LIKE A FUN DRIVE

It was! (Very tiring though!)

BTC

[PowerWagon896]

I took the family there around 1997.

We made reservations @ Cristiana Campbell's restuarant on the old capitol square. (I hope I got the name right) Word has it, George Washington had a "thing" W/Cristiana & spent many nights there when he had business in Williamsburgh. @ least that's how I remember the story.

A bit pricey, but worth every penny. Truely a unique dining experience. Strolling musicions, no electric lighting, just candlelight. A very very distinguised black gentleman wearing a red jacket/black pants was our waiter. Very "formal" looking gentleman.

You must make reservations for dinner early in the day!

If any of you go there I recommend this restuarant highly. If you do have dinner there, don't miss the "spoon bread" It is a corn meal batter baked in a small cast iron skillet W/melted butter baked in the center. You have to use a spoon to eat the center hence ther name "spoon bread".

OMG is it good!

[gossame1]

Christiana Campbell's is one of my favorite taverns, Gotta love the warm spoonbread.

BTC

[PowerWagon896]

Christiana Campbell's is one of my favorite taverns, Gotta love the warm spoonbread.

BTC

It is good isn't it?

[Lidarman]

My favorite is Kings Arms...love that "Beef wrapped in bacon stuffed with oysters". I've been going to Wmsbrg every year since 1971, so I know all the changes over the years. We honeymooned at the Inn in 1981; this year we stayed there again and damn, has that already-expensive hotel gone up! Yikes!

Something cool to do is stay in a Historic House, it's actually cheaper than the Inn or Lodge.

And you are right about dining in the colonial inns...you need to make reservations in advance, unless...

If you stay in the Inn, Lodge, Historic Houses/Taverns, you have a big leg up on the masses. I remember trying to make reservations from the reservation phone at "A Good Place To Eat" (an oxymoronic name for THAT place!) and they said the entire evening was booked (this was in the fall). My wife suggested that I try again from our room (we were staying at the Brick House Tavern on Duke of Gloucester St)-when I connected with reservations and asked what, if anything might be available, the operator asked ME when I wanted to dine! I guess paying for those expensive rooms has its perks!

[lukeinva]

The wife and I went there in october 2005 for our anniversary!!! We had fun shes not much into history so we didnt spend much time at the places but we still had a blast. Also went to bush gardens thats the main reason we went down.

Glad you have fun on your trip!! Next time you in Va let me know maybe we could meet up!!