Williamsburg, VA

For various reasons, we decided to stay in the Williamsburg area for almost a week. There is a lot to see in this area and we found an rv park that is cheap! And we wanted to be planted during the holiday weekend. It turned out to be a good decision since Tropical Storm Bonnie came through and it rained pretty hard for two days. We were so thankful for our cozy trailer and it was no big deal to lose a few days of sightseeing.

So the area is comprised of three areas: Williamsburg, historic Jamestown and historic Yorktown. Historic Jamestown and historic Yorktown are run by the National Parks. We loved them because their visitor centers are so well done and we learned a lot about the history of our country.

Jamestown:
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Yorktown included an informative visitor center and beautiful self-guided car tour to historic sites:
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And then Colonial Williamsburg. It was not as much to our liking. It just seemed so touristy and too contrived. And all about charging $ for everything. Maybe ok for families but not for us. But here are a few pics:
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Again, the Natuonal Park sites were much more to our liking. If you go, do your research and see what best fits you.

And, finally, here is a picture of personalized pocket knives.
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We have been to so many tourist sites and they all have gift shops. They sell a variety of personalized trinkets (some with hundreds of names) including mugs, key chains, Christmas ornaments, candle holders, etc. this picture is of pocket knives. Not once have I seen even one of my seven grandchilds names on these items!!! What does this say about their names? I had to get used to some of them but now I love them. But it’s a good thing. I’m sure papa would have given all the boys pocket knives!

Virginia Beach and Norfolk, VA

Stayed at a beautiful state park on the Chesapeake Bay:
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We did a tour of the Naval Station in Norfolk. Because of security issues, we couldn’t take pictures but I did take a picture of this tshirt in the gift shop. Love the message:
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When your gps sends you to a military base, you are rejected traffic. Oops!
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Climbed to the top of the oldest lighthouse in the country.

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Virginia Beach:
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The views from our morning hike in the state park:
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Outer Banks, No. Carolina

Land Cruiser hit a milestone! We love this car:
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The Outer Banks are beautiful!

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Colorful houses:
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Checking out the surf:

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And then a visit to Kitty Hawk.
The first stone in the background was the spot where they took off. The stones beyond that marks how far they went on the first three flights.

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Standing on the hill where they first experimented with gliders and then looking down on where they took those first flights:
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And, finally a picture from the road to Virginia. Apparently you can bury your kin in the front yard. Who knew?
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Blue Ridge Parkway

Day 1: Beautiful views of the parkway and the Smokies:
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Hike to beautiful falls:
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Day 2:
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Rain and clouds predicted for the next three days. We decided that it made no sense to stay on the parkway since there would be no views and no hikes we had planned. Heading to Cape Hatteras.