There are blackout curtains in our room. Aunt Grace told us they were awesome, but we didn’t realize how awesome they really were until we looked at the clock and read 9:30 am the next morning. I don’t remember the last time we slept through the night and that late into the morning. It felt wonderful and there was no guilt in doing so.
The skies were gray and the rains were heavy off and on throughout the morning, but it was one of the days forecasted to be more pleasant so Natalie and Dan suggested it would be a good day to visit Jamestown. That sounded like a great plan for us.
The first area we went to was called the Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum with re-creations of a 1610 fort, ships, and a Powhatan Indian village. The Powhatan Indian village grounds that were re-created gave us an idea of what life may have been like when the first settlers arrived in this country. Chief Powhatan’s daughter, Pocahontas, was one of our favorite topics of discussion. Our family is so knowledgeable and we loved all the detailed information shared. In the Indian village, there were huts to walk through, arrowheads being crafted, furs to touch, and stories to be heard.
After the Indian grounds, we walked down to see the re-created ships that were used to transport passengers over from England. It’s a fully immersive experience as you can walk through most of the areas of each ship. We learned that trips by sea could take over four and a half months, and accommodations were extremely tight. Boredom was one of the things mentioned that these people had to endure on their journey. Fortunately, they took advantage of the trade winds that took them down close to the equator, which allowed them to stop at nearby islands to restock supplies and take a break from the confining quarters of the ship. We surmise, people during this time must have been shorter as there was no way I could have fit in any of the ship bunks.
The fort area of the Settlement was made up of an Anglican church, a court of the guard, a storehouse, a cape merchants office, a governors house, livestock area, stables, and other buildings. A chicken had just laid some eggs and we learned that if eggs are not washed they can be left at room temperature for up to two months without going bad. When eggs are washed, it removes a protective film that keeps the air out. We, in the United States, wash our eggs which then requires them to be refrigerated so as not to go bad. Europe doesn’t wash eggs after their laid. Now we understand why, in France, the grocery stores sell their eggs from the shelves and not the refrigerated section. Dan mentioned he’d seen a show that instructed one could rub a washed egg in mineral oil and that would allow an egg to be able to be kept at room temperature as well, so fascinating.
After Jamestown Settlement, we drove to the Glass House where they make and blow glass in the same manner as was done in days of the early settlement. It was interesting to learn that glass is naturally green and minerals have to be added to make it clear or create another color.
After the Glass House, it was another short drive to Historic Jamestown that is home to the ruins of the first permanent English settlement in North America. There, we walked around the actual grounds of the original settlement. We learned more of Pocahontas, her trip to England, and her death. We saw the foundations of buildings and roads that had once occupied the grounds. We had lunch at The Carrot Tree on site. Huge sandwiches loaded with fresh veggies and generous portions of meat and cheese.
Back at the condo we rested and chatted. Our conversations are so enjoyable. We are grateful to be privileged to spend time with this loving family of ours. Dan and Nathalie cooked a wonderful meal for dinner, stuffed peppers filled with chicken, wild rice and quinoa, seasoned to perfection. Nathalie didn’t cook the meal with any salt, none, zero, zip, and we didn’t miss it! They’re so talented, the meal was delicious, and we’re excited to learn more from them. We capped the night off hanging out together, spending time playing with Athena and Niko, and watching the Mr. Rogers documentary. It was a GREAT day!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment