Lunch at the Williamsburg Winery is our first excursion today. We are joined by my sister, Kathy, and her friend and fellow conservator, Amy, as we enjoy a truly delectable variety of sandwich options, homemade sweet potato bisque (oh, so good) and, of course, the obligatory wine taste. All choices are exceptional (including the suggested wine pairing) and we linger for several hours in this lovely location as ladies who lunch are inclined. Such leisure!!
After our dining indlgence, we are off to Colonial Williamsburg's DeWitt Conservation lab, where we are fortunate enough to know people who can get us a tour here. Trust us, better than any regulated tourist option offered for the peons out there. We are introduced to Albert, the furniture conservator, who worked with both Kathy and Amy in times past. Albert is 72 years old, having served this place for nearly 40 years now. He is a wealth of knowledge and enjoys with relish showing us all the nooks and crannies of this jewel. And, what there is to see! As we can only imagine by what we view, this is a premier conservation facility, and peering into all of the different modes of this art is awe inspiring. Furniture, paintings, textiles, musical instruments, upholstery. Each room brings a different object and conservator, a different perspective, a plethora of gorgeous artwork.
Celeste is intrigued and envious of what these lucky people get to do as their job everyday. If only.... The tour is one of the highlights of our trip for her and she can't get enough of what is offered. Imagine getting a behind the scenes tour of all that Colonial Williamsburg holds dear. A glimpse of how all of these marvels have been and will continue to be preserved for our enjoyment. This work combines art and chemistry to an entire new level and it's exhilarating to behold! These conservators are beyond gracious in their work and hospitality while we eavesdrop.
Our fun tour continues with a visit to the William and Mary campus. We explore the grounds and peek inside the chapel at the Sir Christopher Wren building. There is a graduation of sorts going on so we can't fully engage, but we are able to view the rest of the building which gives us a good sense of the chapel's architecture, as well. It is just beautiful and the grounds surrounding provide an incredible backdrop as we stroll through.
This full day is coming to an end but Amy is very helpful in aiding our forthcoming travels. Our trip along Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park and subsequent detour into West Virginia's Berkeley Springs area will be our little detour before arriving in D.C. for the cherry blossoms. Our fortune now is Amy lives just outside of Berkeley Springs, and able to give priceless tips, direction and suggestions. Thanks, Amy!
The ladies need to return to their homes and we part with much gratitude for the fun and educational experience. This has been a real treat!
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