WILLIAMSBURG,YORKTOWN,JAMESTOWNE

The Colonial Parkway, a 23 mile scenic byway, links Virginia’s Historic Triangle of Jamestown, Williamburg and Yorktown.

Colonial Williamsburg Description

A wonderland of American history, Colonial Williamsburg is a feast of fun that transports the family back to the eighteenth century and immerses it in everyday colonial life. The 301-acre city is open only to foot traffic and carriages, and in truth takes more than one day to fully explore; start off with a visit to the booths at Market Square, where children from toddlers to preteens can don historic costumes, three-pointed hats, and pretty straw hats to fully get in character for their visit. Interpretive programs vary by day, with a heavy emphasis on bringing history to a child's level while still fascinating adults.

Definition of Jamestown, Settlement of

Founded in 1607, Jamestown, Virginia, was the first English colony to survive into a lasting settlement in what later became the United States. The colony, privately funded by the Virginia Company and led by English mercenary John Smith, suffered staggeringly high death rates in the early years. However, it flourished after John Rolfe (who married Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan chief Wahunsenacawh) introduced improved tobacco seed varieties from Trinidad after 1610.

Yorktown Battlefield - Winning America’s Independence

Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.  Here at Yorktown, in the fall of 1781, General George Washington, with allied American and French forces, besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army.  On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence

 

We took two Ranger led tours, The Battlefield and the Town. He was fantastic, so much history with so much enthusiasm.

Note the cannon ball lodge in the side of one of the few original homes that survived the battle.

OUTER BANKS NC

When we arrived at the north end of the Outer Banks a storm was waiting. We visited the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. We had to pass on the outdoor sights but enjoyed the Visitor Center. Saw a short film and exhibits relating to The Lost Colonists.

The next day brought sunshine so off to tour the Brodie Island Lighthouse, built in 1872.

Then to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. A great visitor center with a replica of plane they flew. Reconstructed Buildings they used ; a hanger and their living quarters. The Monument and Big Kill Devil Hill where the Wright brothers conducted more than 1,000 glider flights. A Sculpture of the first flight replicated in life-sized art. And first flight boulder markers.  December 17, 1903 was one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century.

TO THE OUTER BANKS NC

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Arrived on the shore late afternoon, getting the last spot at Cedar Pt. in the Croatan Nat’l Forest. Really nice park with w&e . Nice boardwalk there too.

Next day went to Emerald Island only a few miles away. Great bike path. Later in the day we drove up the coast. Stopped at the Historic town of Beaufort

Drove to Cedar Point spent the night at the Ferry Landing. Nice spot next to the lawn with picnic tables and view of the ocean.  

Caught the 7:00AM ferry to Orcacoke Isl. Walked around  town.

Then enjoyed the afternoon sitting at the beach. We stayed at the campground at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Large sites just a sand dune away from the ocean.

ASHEVILLE

  We traveled over the Smokey Mountains on Hwy 441 and drove just a very short distance on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Enjoyed a day touring The Biltmore. Very pricey but we (well I) wanted to see it. There’s the house, the gardens and the village. It all takes most of the day.

They don’t allow any pictures inside the house. The next day we climbed Chimney Rock. It was 982 steps to Exclamation Point which is about 400 steps higher than the rock in the picture. The good news is you can take an elevator to the top, its about the same as 26 stories. When it was built in 1947 it was the highest elevator in NC.

PIGEON FORGE/GATLINBURG

We’re in the Great Smoky Mountain area of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We are camping at Douglas Dam at a TVA campground, much like a COE park. Located half way between Knoxville and Pigeon Forge.  Pigeon Forge reminds us  of Branson, not really a walking town,  spread widely apart are theaters, restaurants, motels, elaborate miniature golf courses.   I love this upside down building. What a hoot. We went to Terry Evanswood Magic show here. Very good show.

The next day was double packed , a breakfast show featuring the Singing Underwoods. Then at 4:30 The Hatfields and McCoys dinner show.

 

Gatlinburg is a walking town, several blocks packed with every imaginable tourist attraction a town can offer. Fudge, taffy, ice cream, frozen bananas, free samples of moonshine, novelty shops, old time photos, gift stores, etc, etc. all tucked into the Smoky Mountains.

NASHVILLE

 STATE CAPITAL

 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE

 TOURING THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM

 Not country music fans but still thoroughly enjoyed the history of the Ryman.

 Broadway street was hopping even on Sunday. Bars all open with live acts. Of course the pedal tavern. Never saw that before!.

 We enjoyed going to town on the weekend. Free parking in the state employee parking lot, little traffic, great area to park. Next to the Farmers Mkt, State Capital, close by the State History Museum, and Military Musum, and a nice walk to the Ryman Auditorium and Broadway. Unforturnately the Grand Ole Opry House is across town.

AKRANSAS

 

 FORT SMITH was a nice stop. Nice grounds, good museum and short film on its history.

 

 I was disappointed the ferris wheel was not open midweek. I really wanted to ride it. This is in downtown Fort Smith AR

 Van Buren is a Historical District in Van Buren AR

 Nice end to the day. A COE park in Ozark AR

OUR ROUTE

 YUMA TO PHOENIX

 PHOENIX TO ALBUQUREQUE

 FOLLOWED I-40 THRU TEXAS TO OKLAHOMA CITY THEN WITH A LITTLE DETOUR TO FORT SMITH ARKANSAS