Holiday

Some pickup in foot traffic lately due mostly, I think, to the fact that yesterday, when this photo was taken, was a public holiday and that William & Mary students are starting to return from their winter break.

Secretary's Office

 

"In 1747, a disastrous fire at the Capitol highlighted the need for a safe place to store government documents. The result was the Secretary's Office, today the oldest archival structure in the western hemisphere." -- www.colonialwilliamsburg.org

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday

Deerstalker

"Quiet" Time

 

Well, as of yesterday at least, the tourists were still here in large numbers, as were the wreaths that have been such a special part of this holiday season. Today, and certainly by tomorrow, I'm expecting things to quiet down, especially with young people returning to school, their parents returning to work, and the college students still away on winter break. 

This also is when Colonial Williamsburg traditionally gives its guides a much needed rest. But it's also been the time when maintenance crews turn out in large numbers to plow through what I can only imagine is a long punch list of projects that probably have been put off until when the crowds of people began to thin out. Wreaths have to be removed, sidewalks and steps repaired and/or replaced, roofs patched, and so on and so forth. 

So did I say this was going to be a "quiet" time? Mmm, on second thought, maybe not. 

Capitol

Furnace

 

Not the most Christmassy of photographs, to be sure. But given the intense cold that so many of us are experiencing right now, I thought it nonetheless appropriate. This is the gunsmith's furnace in Colonial Williamsburg. Most telling, though, is this next photograph taken just moments after the tourists above had left. :-) Stay warm!

Grand Illumimation

 

This was the scene early in the morning at the Governor's Palace this past Saturday as Colonial Williamsburg prepared to celebrate its final Grand Illumination weekend. Crews were setting up the stage for musical performances while a contractor prepared the fireworks in the formal garden located driectly behind the palace.

D.O.G. Street

 

 

Duke of Gloucester Street (aka D.O.G. Street) in Colonial Williamsburg

Hamiltons'

 

Trail's End

 

 

Surprising end to my hiking adventure. Near the end, a hiker stumbled and fell on the trail's loose rocks (probably worn out by her earlier ascent), suffering a contusion to her face, although no one could be certain that her injuries weren't any worse. Fortunately, I had a first aid kit with me, something I now always carry with me whenever I'm hiking in the backcountry after having witnessed a number of other such mishaps. 

Anyway, with the help of another hiker or two, we soon got the injured hiker back on her feet and accompanied her to the trail's end. Always good to hike these trails with others when you can because one never ever knows what might lurk just around the next turn.

Humpback Rocks

 

Crossing

 

The Humpback Rocks Loop Trail meets the Appalachian Trail at just about this point where a spur leads to the rocks, so quite often you'll meet folks like this fellow who looks like he's making a longer trek of it.

Stairs

 

The ascent along the Humpback Rocks Loop Trail is sometimes so steep that the National Park Service has chosen to install stairs to help prevent further erosion and, one would think, to help keep hikers from injuring themselves as the result of bad falls.

Bank

A bank building that has been left vacant for at least the past year or two is now suddenly getting a complete makeover both inside and out. Yesterday's cooler temperatures made for a nearly perfect day for a little exterior painting.

Kilwins

 

Finally caught a couple of the bakers at Kilns at work along with some of their creations. The aromas often greeting passersby are worth enjoying even if they don't actually go inside and indulge themselves. :-)

DST

 

Daylight Saving Time came to an end yesterday and it showed as the shadows began to fall upon the colonial capital city as early as 4:30 p.m. 

Windmill

 

For months now, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has been in the process of moving its historic windmill to this new site where it will be much more visible to the public.

Now it has finally happened and I am looking forward to soon seeing it in full operation again.

Mt. Tom North Trailhead Park

Hilda & Morris Golden Trail

 

View

 

That's Boston to your left and the harbor to your right as seen from the top of Eliot Tower.