Anniversary Getaway to Colonial Williamsburg | Anchors Aweigh

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Anniversary Getaway to Colonial Williamsburg

Our anniversary sort of fell by the wayside this year. We celebrated 3 years of marriage apart from each other while Parker was finishing up SERE school, and a true "celebration" was not looking promising as we impatiently awaited the arrival of our household goods and gained a new furball as soon as Parker returned.

We've always talked about wanting to go on a cruise, but we realize in this chapter or our Navy journey, it's just not in the cards. And that's okay. We decided to take an impromptu trip to Colonial Williamsburg this past weekend as a sort of belated anniversary weekend. With military life, you celebrate when you can, where you can. The awesome thing about Williamsburg is it is an hour away from our house. We get to go somewhere fun and skip the long road trip? Um, yes please. The Phelps duo was all in. 

Colonial Williamsburg was on our Virginia bucket list anyway, but I am so glad we decided to make a weekend out of it. We walked around the town Friday evening and got to witness the "Troop Review/March to Lexington". One of the neat things about Williamsburg is that these people go all out. Everyone is in period costumes, everyone's dialect is spot on, and everyone seems to really love to be there. Parker said we totally should have dressed up. I gave him a look, and that was the end of that. It was neat to get to see "the demonstration of the local militia and two field artillery pieces". I just asked Parker to sum up that experience, and those were his words. I must have watched something different, because I didn't get any of that. I saw kids in red coats playing instruments. The history might have been slightly lost on me, but I tried.


selfies with the fife and drum players
We wined and dined at The Trellis, a cute little restaurant where Parker ate stuffed quail. Doesn't that sound so fancy pants? I balanced it out with my cheeseburger and fries. We walked around some cute little shops after dinner and, again, Parker tried to convince me we should rent some period costumes. It went over about as well as it did the first time.


We stopped by the candy shop, so naturally my night was made!

Saturday was dedicated to seeing the sites and touring the historic buildings of Colonial Williamsburg. Parker is definitely the museum/history nut of the two of us, but we both thought the whole thing was really neat. We toured Governor's Palace and The Capitol (naturally my first thought was The Hunger Games), and we got to go into the cabinetry, carpentry, and blacksmith shops. The blacksmith shop was by far the coolest to me. There was a guy actually making tools over a hot fire, and a girl explained that blacksmiths are just like any other profession these days- you go to school for about 4 years and then do apprenticeships and more school if you want to be really good. I imagine there is a really small window of opportunity to be a blacksmith in this day and age, but it's such a neat craft.

Parker LOVED the cabinetry and enjoyed the carpentry too. Being really into woodworking, this wasn't at all surprising. The carpenter let Parker and I try the blade he was using to make roofing eaves out of cedar. I expected to be terrible at it and was, but Parker wasn't bad. Back then, the carpenters built the frameworks for buildings and houses. The cabinet makers built furniture. Since the cabinet makers were the ones to build furniture, Parker enjoyed that one the most and could have stayed in there all day.

 We also got to see the types of living conditions the soldiers lived in and were sworn into the "Colonial Army", complete with stick rifles and a drill Sergeant. 

Governor's Palace
With our tour guide from Governor's Palace


Blacksmith

Just being part of the Colonial Army, no big deal.
Saturday evening, we got tickets to the dinner theater at Shields Tavern. The meal was simple meats and vegetables, the lighting was dim, and the waitresses were all in costumes. It was a cool atmosphere. While we ate, they performed a short play that really just reminded us of Downton Abbey. If there is anything this weekend did, it was make us so ready for the next season of Downton Abbey to come on. I realize the time frames are completely off in the two worlds, but the whole day just felt like a scene out of the show. Anyway, the dinner theater was fun.

Hanging out with the cast afterward. They interacted with you during the play and made it fun for the audience.
Sunday, we had planned on going to Water Country USA and doing the water park thing, but we just didn't have much time, so Parker suggested we go to the outlet malls. Husband of the year. I wasn't going to argue. We went to the famous Pierce's Pitt BBQ for lunch, and all of the locals just raved about it. It was really good, but we are still adjusting to the fact that BBQ means pork here. We are from Texas. BBQ=brisket in our neck of the woods, but the pulled pork they served was tasty nonetheless!


Overall, Williamsburg was the perfect getaway. It was relaxing and easy and just plain fun. I am so thankful that we got this weekend to celebrate our third anniversary. Parker starts class this week, so this was sort of like one last hurrah before the crazy starts back up. We loved it!


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21 comments :

The Life You Love said...

This looks like such a fun trip! I'm so glad y'all got to celebrate your anniversary, even if it was a little late and not quite a cruise. Plus, you got to be a blacksmith and a colonial solider! Can't beat that. BBQ means brisket in Texas? I did not know that. I love brisket! Up north BBQ just means anything you grill, but put BBQ sauce on. I still say pulled pork instead of BBQ and people are always getting on me for it. Oops.

Cayte Brown said...

So glad you guys had fun :)

Sam said...

Looks like such a fun little getaway! I haven't been to Williamsburg in years but it was always our school field trips growing up! So funny that BBQ in Texas means brisket! I would have never known that as I've always thought it meant pulled pork sandwiches haha Pierces is pretty delicious though, no matter what you call it!

Ashley @ A Cute Angle said...

Williamsburg is a great place. This was a FANTASTIC idea for an anniversary getaway.

~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

Ashley said...

Williamsburg is such a fun place to visit! It seems like y'all had a wonderful time!

Janelle Cook said...

What a fun looking trip!!! Glad you guys had a great time! :)

Carly said...

You guys look great! So glad you had a good trip! Williamsburg is on my list of places to visit-- it's juuuust far enough away that it's too far for a day trip.

Veronica Lee Burns said...

I was just there! but you guys did so much more. Looks like you just had an absolute blast.
Happy Anniversary!

Melzie at Ribbons and Rotor Blades said...

I'm glad you two were finally able to celebrate! Better late than never!!! And your shoes at The Trellis? ADORABLE!

Breanna said...

Happy three years! I love seeing your pictures of Williamsburg, Joe and I were talking about going for our anniversary in September and I think your post officially made up my mind.

Susannah said...

What a fun getaway!!! I LOVE learning about history by actually visiting the sites. :-) Congrats again on your 3 year! :-)

Jamie said...

What a great trip!

Karla said...

You both are SUCH beautiful people!!! Gosh! The pictures are so beautiful. Looooove your dress and shoes for your evening out. :)

Rachel Lynn said...

I LOVE that place! My Hubby had his tech training at Fort Eustis which is fairly close too. I went to visit and we did a weekend there as well. I am a huge history nut and had so much fun. I have some of the same pictures you guys took :)

Glad you got a chance to celebrate before more military crazy hits!

My Wholesome Home

Emily Stewart said...

Ugh you guys! So cute! Glad you had a fun getaway, friend! :)

Bailey Kay said...

It looks like you had a blast! I love all the touristy photos y'all took. BBQ in KY means mutton, which is an acquired taste.

Jen said...

My brother used to live there, it is such a neat place!

Angie said...

Looks like a wonderful getaway!

Sarah said...

Wait wait you WERE in CW on Saturday!? What a bummer! We could have met up for a bit!

Grandma Pat said...

Great pictures. Your description of the activities makes me want to see Williamsburg in person. Thanks for sharing your special 3rd year celebration. Love you both,

Stephanie said...

That looks like an awesome trip! I love seeing people's different views on BBQ. Being from Kansas City, you tend to get pretty particular about it which I am sure is the same for you all being from Texas.

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