Category List
Archive
2018
2019
2020
Charlottesville, VA to Norfolk VA via Monticello, Richmond, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown – 9
Oct 15, 2013
To quote John Denver ‘Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountain, Shenandoah River’……well they were the country roads we were riding on yesterday and at one time on the Blue Ridge Mountain Turnpike. We were both singing John Denver favourites for a lot of the ride. This is a picture of a view on the ‘Skyline Drive’ (which we didn’t get to see due to the fog / rain) compliments of the internet.
This morning we headed out a few kilometres to Thomas Jefferson’s home and really enjoyed learning more about him and his work but the first available tour of his home ‘Monticello’ was 12.20pm so we didn’t stay for that. This is a shot compliments of the internet.
We headed for Richmond and this is a shot of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart facing the Monroe Park.
And a theatre undergoing some refurbishment works a couple of buildings along. This was quirky. Looked a bit like Art Deco with tiling on the little towers worthy of a mosque and a sign on the front saying ‘Box Office Closed’ seemed a bit unnecessary since there were gates all around it to keep people out.
We called into Williamsburg (part of the triangle between Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown) an area which featured heavily in the war of Independence and then the Civil War. We visited the Visitor Centre but decided we didn’t have enough time to do the whole period tour and headed for Jamestown and then came across parts of the old Williamsburg village and here is a view in a street leading to the town square. Once we arrived here we ditched the waterproofs and travelled without them for the rest of the day which was a welcome change.
And a glimpse of the Williamsburg Inn, a very substantial complex.
We headed for Jamestown on lovely winding roads surrounded by dappled shade from the surrounding forest and gold coloured leaves and pine needles drifted up into the middle of the road. Very little colour change overall, lots of leaves have fallen and a bit of colour change and lots of green so obviously there hasn’t been enough cold weather to prompt the change. We got as far as this sign as the Federal Government shutdown struck again.
So, we headed for Yorktown which the biker at the road closed barrier told us was open. We headed off on more of the lovely roads which wound through the forest to Yorktown and were astounded at how many parking areas along the way were closed due to the shutdown and this is a building on the Yorktown waterfront.
And a shot of the bridge on the George Washington Memorial Highway over the York River with a clipper under it which sailed under the bridge then turned around and came back again. It looked spectacular.
As we came into Norfolk we travelled 6.5kms over a bridge and tunnel network. The tunnel in the middle was 2.5km long and went under a shipping lane which was very impressive.
Once we got into our Norfolk Hotel here we headed for the waterfront for a short walk and found the Battleship Wisconsin which is a Museum here. Very impressive.
On our way back to the hotel we discovered the US Customs House; well at least that’s what the sign said so I guess it is.
Bits and Bobs:
Don’t you hate it when things become unravelled especially in public, this is near our hotel.em]
Last night’s Accommodation:
Photo compliments of their website because with all the rain we forgot to dart out and take a photo. Dear, dear, dear.
Omni Charlottesville Hotel
212 Ridge McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Nice room even if it does have 2 beds which takes up unnecessary space. But they do have 2 luggage racks so makes up for it. Nice bathroom though small, yummy accessories, good wardrobe space, lovely public spaces and comfortable bed. All round a nice spot to drop and handy to many shops and eating options.
Tags: