VIRGINIA BEACH & ART SHOW

We drove down Atlantic Blvd this morning to our usual parking lot only to find that it cost $15 for the day rather than it's usual $5. So we drove around that block and parked in the hotel parking garage on the fifth level (top). But at least it was only $7!!! This was the view from the top of the parking garage across the street from the beach.

We walked down near the water and set up our chairs. Then we walked back to the walkway along the hotels and you can see the canopies set up for the Art Show. Gary asked today how he could go about finding out about showing in this show. The artists were from many states. The space was just $3000. for this show!! Yes, three thousand!! Needless to say, Gary will not be showing here. But it was a good one, not things on a stick as he calls some shows that have a lot of crafts. There was art, photography, pottery and jewelry. We had a lovely day for it, though the sun was hot. It was breezy, thank goodness!

The first booth that we stopped in was photography and I asked permission to take pictures. He had a display of his cameras also, above the pictures and down on a box in the corner. It was a nice setting.

This picture was taken from the bike pathway next to the walkway where the show was set up.

I had to stop and watch this fellow cut a silhouette of the boy. It was quick and quite good!!

This was the finished product and I noticed that they were gone when we walked back past. So Mom & Dad could not resist, evidently.

This was on the beach behind the show. He was called Hippo, but I did not see anyone playing on him. Evidently the water and waves were the attraction. I really did not get all of him in the two pictures. He was quite long, as I am missing a middle section!!

I really liked this gentleman's prints of Oil or Acrylic paintings. I also liked the plain black recessed frames! But my camera would not get all three prints that comprise this next one. I was not standing back far enough as most artists do not like you photographing their art. So I was sneaking. As if I could copy his work, Ha!!

Then I had to take a lot of pictures while sitting on the beach soaking up more sun! It was a wonder that we did not have sun burned noses!

Enjoy the pictures!!

You can see the waves clear up to where we were walking and the kids were playing!

Nope, don't know them!!

When we got back home, Gary still had energy to go to Smithfield to a Car Show. So I will show you some of those pictures in the next Blog. I stayed home and sat out in the breeze and read a book. It was not even buggy!!! That is the first since we got here. The flies have driven us nuts!! And they bite bad!!

See you soon. Just one more week here!

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

Last evening we met up with my great nephew and his family at Olive Garden. We had a delicious meal and a wonderful visit. All too short, but I am sure that the boys were nearing bedtime by time we said our goodbyes. They are such a sweet family and this is what makes our travels all worth while!! They will be leaving for a vacation with family and so we were glad that they had an evening to spare. We will look forward to seeing them again! Blessings to you all and safety as you travel on vacation!! We decided to go to Colonial Williamsburg today, so we left before noon to take the ferry across the James River again. That is always a fun ride. When we came back, they were so full that we just lucked out to be the last vehicle on. The rest in line had to wait for the next ferry. Williamsburg was very interesting and we could have spent another hour there. But Gary was worried about the parking since we had parked in a two hour lot and we had been on the go for double that! So I missed out on the tour of one house where they would have told of the lives of the slaves. And we only got a one day pass, so it will wait for another trip. But we did not get a ticket or anything for the over parking! Thank goodness. We stopped and watched the ladies spinning. The dying had just been done yesterday and they had to get the yarn ready to be sold in the village stores. They explained much of the process as well as the parts of the equipment. The looms were in the back but we did not stay to hear them explain those as we had helped our oldest son restore one for the Salem Historical Society for his Eagle Scout Project. So we helped with research and learned a lot then.

We walked on to the gardens and that made me homesick. I do miss my flower bed!! Of course, this old body would not handle that well anymore anyway!

I meant to research and find out what the guide said the layout of this church was. I don't remember the word he used, but it is in the form of a cross as you can see from the ceiling in this picture. There is seating in the two alcoves in balconies. This church has had many prominent people attend in the many years since it's construction in the early 1700's. It has seen many Presidents and Governors and has plaques with some of their names.

This is the Governor's Palace.

The Magazine & Guardhouse, where all of the artillery was stored.

The blacksmith's shop which I thought was larger than others that we have seen. In the side yard there is excavating being done to re-build a kitchen as was there before. They had uncovered foundation and base of the fireplace, but no artifacts as this area had been excavated a couple times before.

The Courthouse across from the Magazine & Guardhouse. The Capitol Building built in the style as used in England.

The Schmidt Tavern where we stopped and had lunch. We ordered beef pasties and they were good!!

We had also toured the Wetherburn's Tavern, the Printing office, the Bindery and the Post Office. It was interesting to see how the books were bound with thread.

There were carriage rides available also and many little shops to spend money in. However, we decided to save our money and also to walk for the exercise. The heat would have made the odor too strong for our liking in the carriages anyway!!

So now we can say that we did Colonial Williamsburg!! I am sure there is more to downtown Williamsburg that we could have spent time seeing, but we will put that off for another time. We did pass a lot of William & Mary University on the way.

Take care and check in again soon!!