Day 31 - 7/21

We spent all of today in Williamsburg seeing the different sites and reenactments. The reenactment we went to was about the gun powder being removed from the magazine. This event involved many places around the town so we got to see a majority of the area. We got to see protesters storm the Palace Green but then be intercepted by more calmer representatives who then took a petition to the Governor. All of the reenactments were truly excellent. I love how the people stay in character and make it feel as if it is 1776 again.

At Colonial Williamsburg, they have a special program called Rev Quest where by using clues and traveling to different locations your team earns a special prize at the last location. It also used the phone and would text back next clues and hints. Lydia liked Rev Quest because she liked being able to solve a clue and then guide us to the next location. I particularly felt like Nancy Drew today. On the way into Williamsburg I found a secret path that was a good shortcut. I also discovered the British agent we had to meet with while everyone else insisted it was someone else. Additionally I solved a clue that even Dad stewed over for some time.

We also went into some of the smaller buildings that were shops. The apothecary displayed different herbal medicines. The lady there explained about how the apothecary would serve as a prescriber of medicine and a physician. We also saw a silversmith and jewel maker. I learned that they don't heat up the silver at all but just stretch and ply with it at room temperature. They had a silver serving bowl displayed that was worth 2793 dollars. We also to the Powell house that had many children's activities. I beat Nathan and Blake at checkers. However, Lydia was a formidable opponent and I ended up losing.

This was the road we walked on this morning.

Late into the afternoon, it started to rain. In fact, the rain was so hard that after we got our prize for the Rev Quest we quickly tried to run undercover. However, the rain was falling so hard that we got soaked. Everyone else rushed undercover and we soon found that there was no room for us to be. In fact, there was a mill shop that had lots of space, but we were rejected because to go in required a ticket and strollers weren't allowed. We eventually found a outside tent covering that we waited until the rain let up a little. By the time we got to the hotel, we were all thoroughly soaked. We later celebrated dryness by eating out at a steakhouse. By the time we were driving home, we could hear thunder and see lighting. The storm was so intense that we saw lighting every 4-5 seconds. Thankfully, we all got to the hotel safely. Julia also got to experiment with goggles.