Colonial Parkway to Yorktown

Our final morning in Williamsburg brings a very cold yet sunny day. We literally have to scrape the windshield before heading out, a far cry from the poolside weather that welcomed us only a week earlier. The drive along the Colonial Parkway heading to Yorktown is absolutely stunning. Saving this scenic drive for our finale seems to be a very good decision. Arriving here, we find further beautiful scenery as the set for this very important historical landmark.

The battlefield by the visitor's center is expansive and, as other monuments in this area, bordered by the magnificent James River. We meander here before making our way to the town of York. This is a very interesting area, combining yesteryear with a very pristine today. It felt quite Disneyesque. In fact, save a few walkers, the neighborhood was void of any life. All homes, gardens and streets completely immaculate. Honestly, we have never witnessed anything quite like it.

Winding from the stark neighborhood down onto the waterfront landing brought yet another disparity. The newer side boasted shops and eateries, again with relatively few patrons. Truly looked like a Disney park, but no people. I know, hard to form a vision of that! A stroll further down the river brought into view a more lively area with the Yorktown Pub, a down home establishment filled with human beings! We embraced this evidence of life force and joined the party!

It was apparent early into our visit why this place was hopping. Charlotte, our server, was everywhere welcoming and advising her guests. $2 Land Sharks were the special beverage option and fresh seafood from the waterway we gazed upon was being offered in abundant variations. Crab puffs melted in our mouth and the local rock fish was just delicious! This laid back eatery was successful on all counts. What a difference a few steps from Stepford land had provided.

Walking off our lunch, we ventured further along the river front and then hiked back to the visitor center where we began the driving portion of our tour for the day. The back country was not only beautiful but brimming with further history lessons, which admittedly we had forgotten from our youth. We took our time taking it all in, savoring the scenery and renewed knowledge. Viewing the sites of our country's final battle for our independence is a timely reminder of what we all take too much for granted these days.

As we retrace our path along the Colonial Parkway, we come upon an even prettier route along Hwy 5 into Richmond, the street lined with flowering pear trees and plantations is breathtaking. Virginia is a visual dream to take in and we have one last detour before landing in Richmond for the evening. Westover plantation shares its gardens with the public daily, so we veer off the main drag into another world. The 2-mile trek on an unpaved road suddenly brings us into a Tara-like entrance and find us yet again on that mighty James River. Time truly stops here. How have they managed?

Reluctantly, we leave this last page of our history review. We are certainly wiser.