My Historic Trip to Colonial Williamsburg

We’ve all been cooped up for ever so long now. Since I’ve barely left my house, let alone my city, since March, it’s time to dig out the old vacation photos and reminisce!

This time 4 years ago, I escaped Hurricane Matthew (or so I thought) by traveling to Colonial Williamsburg. I met up with my oldest friend in the world (we met when we were 2 years old!), who took most of the photos in this post, and we hit the road.

I had been to Williamsburg years before. I think most Virginian students go there at some point. So I already knew how beautiful it was, but it had been such a long time. Actually going to Virginia at all after so long reminded me of that scene in A Knight’s Tale when they all hop on the boat back to England and are somberly discussing how long it’s been since they’ve seen home.

My plan had been to see the autumn leaves. I didn’t exactly time it properly for that, but I did get some wonderful autumn weather!

When at last we arrived in Williamsburg, we discovered that I had not outrun the storm at all; Matthew had just made its way to Virginia. So after a quick stop to introduce me to Wawa sandwiches (we didn’t have those in Florida yet), we went to The Virginia Beer Company to rest for a bit.

It was here that I, not at all a beer drinker, discovered that if I have no other options but beer, then IPAs it is! I still remember my friend watching studiously as I sampled each drink in her flight and saying, “Interesting…interesting. Your reactions suggest that what you like is hops!” This, evidently, was unusual for a person who had drunk maybe two beers ever and hadn’t really cared for them. But now I know, if I have to choose–the hoppier, the better.

We were also joined by another old friend (since 4 years old!) while we were there, so it made for a very fun reunion.

After leaving the brewery, we went to meet, for the first time ever, a close internet friend whom I have now known online for 21 years. Josh works as a bricklayer at Colonial Williamsburg and wrote this handy guide to Virginia architecture.

Incidentally, I also got to meet two other friends from the very same group–but a different part of the world–at the airport earlier that day! It was an exciting time.

Although the storm had raged and knocked out our power the night before (for our entire visit, as it happened–we ended up having to go to a bar just to watch that week’s Presidential debate, which I try never to miss no matter where in the world I am), we had some gorgeous days in Williamsburg. Clear and bright, with highs in the 60s…just perfect, and exactly what I recollect of Virginia weather.

Another person I was so excited to meet on this trip was Deanna Raybourn, who is the author of two fantastic Victorian murder mystery series with two delightful female leads. My aunt discovered that we were related (I believe we determined that she is my first cousin, thrice removed) and from reading her books and looking at her Instagram, it was evident that we had a lot in common. I was so thrilled to meet her face to face!

It was Deanna who told us that if we stopped by the Bruton Parish Church, we would find the pew our ancestor, Paul Carrington, shared with Patrick Henry–the Patrick Henry! So of course, that was incredibly exciting, as well.

It was such a beautiful day, but of course, the interiors were stunning, as well.

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It was such a lovely weekend. Williamsburg is on my list of potential places to call home if I could get out of Florida, if only to enjoy daily walks through this amazing historic area when the weather is inviting. And so many of my ancestors lived there, so there’s that personal attachment, as well.

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