Jamestown and Virginia Beach (Day 7)

We started the morning off by playing in the Peterson's beautiful backyard.  The girls loved it as it has a bunch of huge trees and a big tree house/playset.

Riding laps around the back patio.

There was a huge spider in a web just outside the dining room window.  I was going to take care of it, but Austin was adamant that the spider not be killed, just relocated, so I obliged.

Jamestown was the first English Settlement in the America and it was located just a short drive from the Peterson's house.  We loaded up and drove the beautiful Colonial Parkway which runs from Yorktown to Jamestown.

One really cool thing at Jamestown were the glassworks.  The have a functioning glass-blowing operation going on as this was one of the first industries that the settlers tried their hands at when they first arrived at Jamestown.

One of the glass blowers at work making a vase.

We visited Historic Jamestown which is located on the site of the original settlement and administered by the National Park Service (we have an annual pass to National Parks, so this made the most sense).  Here is a Jamestown Monument:

Some Native American lady:

Ada, Kate and Sally in front of the 17th century church:

Captain John Smith:

And finally, a model of the original fort, located within the footprint of the original fort:

We returned back to the Petersons where we gathered our swimming costumes and towels for an afternoon visit to Virginia Beach.  Unfortunately, the weather wasn't really cooperating and it was a bit chilly (I think it was in the 60's, but there was also a breeze from off the ocean that chilled us as well.

However, it wasn't too cold for most of the kids (and I joined in as well), although we did spend most of our time playing in the sand.

Lyla.

Kate, Lyla & Ada.

Austin and Lyla.

Ivy was happy for the first little while.

Ada.

Me and Lyla looking out over the Atlantic.  There were a bunch of fighter jets that flew overhead while we were there. They must have been out doing training exercises.  Nothing like listening to the sounds of freedom while we enjoyed our afternoon on the beach.

Austin and Ada without any legs.

After the beach we made our way to Rigoletto Italian Bakery & Cafe in a strip mall that had been featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.  The food was good, but it didn't knock our socks off.  We did buy some eclairs that were the size of a small loaf of bread.

I convinced Ada to get the stuffed meatballs, which were one of the items featured on the episode.

After dinner, we stopped by Handel's for ice cream and shakes, then while the Petersons headed directly home we took the scenic route which took us to a gas station in North Carolina (new state for the girls!).  It felt as though as soon as we crossed into North Carolina we were truly in the south.  There were Confederate Flags and the gas station had a huge tobacco and cigar shop attached.  It was a worthwhile detour.

I think all would agree that it was another fun and successful day.  Tomorrow we make our way back up to the DC area.