Jamestown

Today was Jamestown, but we hit a roadblock when we decided we needed a local experience in the ER.  We enjoyed the cushy chairs in the waiting room while Lindsea and Travis enjoyed the peace and quiet to themselves.  Luckily Lindsea got some pain relief and was sporting enough to spend a few minutes at Jamestown.

Whitni enjoying the hospital art.

Marissa, never to be outdone by anyone.

Did I say she was a trooper!!!  It was great to have them both with us.

I Spy - Pocahontas

Pocahontas

Whitni's feet have actually stood where Pocahontas once walked.

As I was taking a picture this face showed up.  I guess I was neglecting her, but I thought it turned out  pretty well.

I don't know who thought this would be a good idea.  Luckily, she doesn't have a clue what to really do.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to the fun couple.  Thanks for joining us!!!

Day 2 of Jamestown.

Dale, inwardly, is showing his excitement.

A bandolier, a skunk and a willing helper.

Do you think they were born in the wrong century?

Enjoying the costume or the young man helping them?

The Susan Constant

Marissa has taught her dad all she learned about cannons.

We had a great time in the villages, the ships and watching many demonstrations.  It has left me with great resources for school and many memories. 

Williamsburg

The trip started with a familiar couple sitting down by us in the Atlanta airport.  Upon second glance I was so excited to recognize Lindsea and Travis.  What a great surprise.  They apparently had been planning it with Dale for months.  After that the day was all down hill with delays, sitting in an airplane on the tarmac for two hours, and getting to the condo at 1 in the morning.  

Our color for the day is green.  There should be a few pictures you can spot it in.  Two beautiful daughters giving me something fun to photograph.

Three gorgeous girls to have fun with.

Our first day - Williamsburg.

The governor's palace.  It is hot and humid, but at least on this day there was a nice breeze.

Their horses reminded me of someone I know.  I'll try to remember who.

500 weapons graced the walls of this palace.  I was hoping Dale was not getting any ideas.

In the ballroom of the palace the gentlemen were taught how to properly bow.

Our animated tour guide indulging the tourists with their weird requests.

Kodak moment.

Marissa was getting a little out of control so we put her in the corner where she promptly found some children's blocks.  She was excited and spent some time creating.

I enjoyed listening to the basket weaver. The process is interesting, but too involved for a simple project.

The palace is behind us in the background.

I'm glad they had these pillories handy for disrespectful daughters.

I should have been more grateful for their presence on the trip.

Marissa explaining why this day is all about her.

We were so excited to have Lindsea and Travis, but they did travel a little snug.
I'm finally here!!

Grand Canyon

In order to start blogging the current vacation I still need to finish the last one.

Mom, Dad and Sherry were nice enough to drive the couple hours it took to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  It was very pleasant weather, great food, and wonderful scenery.

The Grand Canyon can give a mother nightmares.  I remember having many after visiting with our kids many years ago.  While buying souvenirs I saw a book that detailed all the deaths that have happened at the Grand Canyon.  One of the reasons that many die is the daring ways people try to get that perfect picture.  I then looked through my pictures and saw a couple that were lucky.

The gal that is lower is posing for what I assume is her boyfriend.  When I zoomed in I was amazed at how little the ledge she is standing on is.  Please do not try this while at the Grand Canyon.  Relieve your mothers of this stress!

Mom and Dad

One place I wanted to see is the hotel El Tovar.  I had read a series of books set in this hotel.  We ate lunch here and did a bit of shopping.  It's going to so interesting to read this series again with some reference of what they are talking about.

Thanks family for wonderful memories.  I really enjoyed this time with you.  I'm ready to do it again.

Vacation - 4

The vacation has long come and gone but I do want to get the rest written.

We were meeting Kelli and Jenni's families at Montezuma.  We went to the well and they were at the castle.  Turns out they are not at the same place.  We took advantage at being at the well and hiked to view the history.

Behind mom and dad above is this little abode.  It is hard to imagine raising a family in this dwelling set in the hillside.  I freak out with the kids on flat surfaces I can't imagine that worry.

This little lake has water that comes from below if I remember correctly. Formed long ago by the collapse of a limestone cavern, over one million gallons of water a day flows continuously into the Well.  It is called Montezuma's Well, but Montezuma was never anywhere near it.  Some explorer misnamed it, not knowing it was the Sinagua people.

We left the cave and met with the families at Montezuma's Castle.

  What fun.  Tyler introduced us to the many wonders of Oreo cookies.  Besides it deliciousness you can also play games with them.  Put an Oreo on your forehead and with only your facial twitches move it to your mouth.  I saw Tyler achieve this twice, of course I saw it hit the ground many times.

Sherry, always a good sport, gave it a try.  It may look like she succeeded, but alas no.  It flipped off her tongue onto the sanitary picnic bench.

This is perched up on the hillside, which again gives me shudders imagining raising a family in a hillside dwelling like these.

They used to let visitors climb some rickety ladders to go into the ruins, but the travelers damaged them too much and the park rangers have not let people go into them since the 1950's.  

 It was very impressive to see what people can do with their resources.  

Photo-op time.

Junior Ranger and his sidekick.  Carter was very funny running around the station and then pushing himself back against this mural ready for his photo moment.

A morning full of hot sun over one hundred degrees and lots of walking leads to a bench full of dehydrated exhausted travelers.