America’s Historic Triangle

The birthplace of American Democracy is comprised of three cities–Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.  If you have ever looked at an American history book, you’ve heard of this area where settlers sent by London’s Virginia Company first landed at Jamestown, where the first ideas of a revolution from Britain were developed in Williamsburg, and where one of the most critical of all Revolutionary War battles was fought at Yorktown.

Start your journey where it all began in historic Jamestown (originally, Jamestowne).  Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum of 17th century Virginia history, tells the story of America’s first permanent English colony, founded in 1607.  In Jamestown, you can see life-size replicas of the three ships that brought the English settlers to these shores  after a 4 1/2 month journey.

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Visitors get a sense of the spirit of opportunity that motivated the Jamestown colonists to leave their homeland for a difficult voyage to Virginia where the Powhatan Indians were living and the ensuing convergence of diverse cultures.

Outdoors in the re-created Powhatan Indian Village, historical interpreters discuss and demonstrate the Powhatan way of life.

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The village, consisting of several dwellings, a garden and a circle of carved ceremonial posts, is based on archaeological findings at a site once inhabited by Paepahegh Indians, the Powhatan tribal group closest to Jamestown, as well as descriptions recorded by English colonists.

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Inside the re-created 1607 James Fort, you can learn about the daily life of the colonial settlers.

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Inside the museum, exhibition galleries do a wonderful job of chronicling the nation’s 17th century beginnings in Virginia in the context of its Powhatan Indian , English and West African cultures.

Colonial Williamsburg affords you an up close look at 18th century Virginia–right as this country is being born–from the perspectives of free and enslaved people.  Williamsburg is the largest–173 acres surrounded by a 3,000 acre greenbelt– and most complete restoration of an early American community.  88 buildings are original, while others have been painstakingly reconstructed on their original foundations, gleaned from plans found in Britain or America.

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Historic tradespeople, using 18th century methods and tools, demonstrate and explain their crafts.

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The sounds contribute to the colonial atmosphere:  the chink and clatter from the blacksmith’s forge or the rhythmic whoosh of the lathe in the wheelwright’s shop.

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The smells are also of the era;  fragrant wood shavings of oak, ash and poplar litter the floor of the cooperage, and the peppery aroma of hickory is thick in the smokehouse hung with hams.

Several taverns, including the Kings Arms Tavern, offer historically-inspired meals.

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The Raleigh Tavern was a favorite of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  Try the spicy gingerbread cakes from the ovens of the Raleigh Tavern Bakery!  Charleton’s Coffee House, which hosted an angry uprising over the Stamp Act, serves a hot chocolate drink made from the same recipe as back in the day!

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Yorktown is a must-see for anyone who wishes to understand the story of our nation’s birth.  The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of our nation’s founding.  Personal stories of citizens and soldiers caught up in the American Revolution are told.  The film “Liberty Fever” introduces you to the world of Revolutionary America.  “The Siege at Yorktown” film transports visitors into the action of America’s 1781 victory.  Outside you can visit a re-created Continental Army encampment as well as a Revolution-era farm based on a real-life 18th century family.  You can also explore the Yorktown battlefields and take yourself back in time to where history was made.

Jamestown is where America was born.  Williamsburg is where our nation’s ideas matured.  Yorktown is where America became of age.  All are worth a visit.

Texas Hill Country Getaway

Llano is located on the clear spring-fed Llano River, about an hour west of Austin.  Back in the day, it was the last train stop for settlers heading west from Llano, where they faced hostile Indian territory and the rough west Texas terrain.

We stayed at The Badu House; the B&B was originally built in 1891 as the First National Bank of Llano.  The bank became defunct, and French native N.J. Badu purchased the building for his home.  Now, the upstairs is a B&B, while the downstairs is a wine pub and restaurant.  The wine pub features about 120 wines, including many from Texas wineries, and about 100 beers, including draft and bottled, domestic, craft and imported beers, ales and ciders.  In the upstairs B&B, we met with the chef each evening to discuss what we wanted for breakfast the next day; the food was delicious!  There is a great patio outside where live music is played many nights; we heard locals Allan Reed and Patrick Russell, whose toe-tapping music we really enjoyed.

Inks Lake State Park is nearby.  We swam at Devil’s Waterhole, a  wonderful swimming hole surrounded by huge boulders—we were too wimpy to jump from the 3 or 4 story high cliffs—but some people were not intimidated.  We had lunch at Chris’ Landing in the park, where the sandwiches and buns are house made and really tasty!  Afterward, we rented kayaks on the lake.

Our next stop was nearby Marble Falls, where we had dinner on the patio of On The Rocks, a great little Italian place high on a cliff overlooking Lake LBJ.

This area is centrally located in Texas so it is very easily reached from Austin and San Antonio.  Although it is about 4 1/2 hours from Dallas, it is an easy and scenic trip and a great weekend getaway from the city!

 

 

Awesome Barbeque

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Dallas has lots of barbeque joints–Cattleack is one of the best.  Located in a very unlikely spot, in the middle of an office park, just off Midway.  Among the offerings are very good brisket and sausage–choices vary from week to week but my fav is jalapeno–cooked the way I like it, where the skin pops when you bite into it.  There are weekly specials; this week, they smoked a pig, and the smoked ham made a terrific sandwich!  Tasty slaw–vinegary with a touch of sweetness–complements the meat well.  Both sauces are good.  Open 10:30 – 2:00, or until they run out of meat, on Thursdays and Fridays only.  The line forms quickly but also moves quickly.  Perk is a free beer while you wait in line!  The other drinks served are good choices, among them Dublin Dr. Pepper and Mexican Coke.  Inside and outside seating, both at picnic tables.  Extremely friendly owners/staff.  Don’t forget the delicious coke cake for dessert!