Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) on the York River

By Kurt Michael

Recently my family and I took a mini vacation to Williamsburg, VA. While my wife and kids opted for shopping, I headed toward historic Yorktown, the site where the British army surrendered to the American troops, ending the Revolutionary War. Over the bluff toward the York River is Water Street. During colonial times, the waterfront served as a major port for exporting tobacco from local plantations but now it is a place to enjoy the river. And so my day began…. (see photos, read more here)

A Shenandoah Valley Christmas 2013 in photos

Our Shenandoah Valley Christmas 2013 was extra special with family, friends, and traditions all rolled into one.  It was magical, spiritual, and homey, a celebration to never forget. Through it all, I had camera in hand to take photos of people and places and experiences and, while most photos of family members aren't posted on my blog, here's a window into our world during 10 magical days.

We were grateful to have our parents with us for Christmas. Mom had a health scare a couple of years ago so each year is special.

Everyone baked cookies and made candy and other goodies that were stored in colorful tins.

Mom has collected Santas for years. These are two that she gave me to brighten my kitchen.

Candles give a peaceful feeling to the season and, in the tradition of Colonial Virginia and the Richmond area where I was raised, I display white ones.

Snowflakes hang over the kitchen sink.

He came into our lives after our father passed away many years ago and has been like a father to my sisters and me ever since.

Our wintry coffee/hot chocolate cups.

Many displays are from friends. The goose pitcher is from Mom; the snowman in the wreath is from dear nearby friends; the "Celebrate" platters are from my Richmond sister. The fresh arrangement was sent to my mother from my cousin Marie in Richmond. The Santa picture on the wall was a gift from SWAC Husband, bought in Gatlinburg, TN, a number of years ago when our children were young. The Santa on the dry sink was one of Mom's that she passed along to me.

Christmas Eve morning it was 10.2 degrees in our corner of Augusta County, and we saw a few snow flurries that day to make it seasonal.

SWAC Daughter's Christmas gift from SWAC Son ... my two Carolina Panthers fans. They are happy campers now that the Panthers are the NFC South Champions.

Christmas morning breakfast.

The cardinal was the 2013 George W. Bush Presidential Library ornament painted by the former president.

My special ornament from patient Stacy from Richmond Children's Hospital years ago. The background story of this ornament is here.

SWAC Daughter, cat lover, and her Christmas tee shirt.

Fresh greenery decorated the house ... Frasier fir, magnolia leaves, nandina berries, evergreen.

She loves the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" so there she sat, SWAC Niece and the dragon from Aunt Lynn sitting on her keyboard....

Busch Gardens' Christmas Town in Williamsburg is quickly becoming a family tradition with millions of multi-colored and white twinkly lights, decor, Christmas trees, sights, sounds, and smells of the season. We went down the Friday after Christmas....

Christmas Town ... the night passed too quickly but we had fun in the cold December air.

Christmas Eve and "It's a Wonderful Life."

Christmas wouldn't be complete without visiting friends and their new babies.

The Appalachian Mountains on Christmas Eve weren't covered in snow but it was cold and felt seasonal, and that was enough.

Homeschool friends, now grown and with children of their own, visiting during the holidays. We are a family, a community, that stays close and in touch as our children marry and begin their own families ... a special connection that will not fade with time.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 2013

The 12 Days of Christmas ... Day 9: Busch Gardens' Christmas Town, Williamsburg

If you love Christmas ... if you love lights ... if you love the music, then Christmas Town is your destination where every inch of real estate is a nod to the season. From the millions of twinkling white and multi-colored holiday lights to the choreographed gigantic "O Tannenbaum" Christmas tree that flashes to the music of the season, to Santa and elves and floor shows reminiscent of the days of Andy Williams, Christmas Town is absolutely breath-taking.

Busch Gardens describes Christmas Town this way:

Joy, laughter and cheer are in the air at Christmas Town. This one-of-a-kind event combines the magic and merriment of the season with stunning Broadway-style shows, unique gift ideas and millions of twinkling lights.

Sip on Busch Gardens’ signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate while strolling through Christmas Town’s latest addition, Holiday Hills™ a nostalgic vision of mid-20th-century Christmas traditions complete with tin toys and miles of garland.

Plan to share your holiday wishes at Santa’s workshop and to see the park’s 50-foot tall, light-animated Christmas tree for a memorable Christmas Town experience. Christmas Town opens Nov. 22 and continues select days through Dec. 31.

Learn more at the Official Christmas Town website.

This holiday extravaganza has become a family tradition for us. You may find it's something special, too.

Photos compliments of Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Friday: Gov. McDonnell at historical marker dedication commemorating first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation

You know those state historical markers you see along Virginia byways and highways? The ones that tell of an event or person of interest, often with a pull-off wide enough for a vehicle or two? Being a history geek, I love those signs and my sister even has a book that lists them all in the event you aren't able to stop.

Today a new marker will be dedicated on Route 5 near Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County east of Richmond with Governor Bob McDonnell addressing the dedication. The event is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. and will also include Dr. William C. Bosher, a respected educator in Virginia, and Malcolm E. “Jamie” Jamieson, owner of Berkeley Plantation.

The unveiling by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will commemorate the First Thanksgiving in Virginia, as declared by Captain John Woodlief who arrived on December 4, 1619, with 37 men who had sailed from Bristol, England, to the New World.

A member of the Virginia Company and Jamestown settler, Woodlief carried instructions that the day of his ship's arrival would "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to almighty God." The men celebrated their safe journey by giving thanks to God, creating a tradition that became the basis of our annual celebration of Thanksgiving.

The celebration continues to this day and is remembered each year at Berkeley Plantation with the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival that is held on the first Sunday in November. The free event will be observed this year on Sunday, November 3, 2013, from noon until 4:00 p.m. with a Colonial celebration that includes a parade, horse-drawn carriages, fife and drum performers, costumed interpreters, and musical entertainment. Food for purchase will be provided by The Catering Company of Williamsburg.

The re-enactment of the landing will begin at 3:00, followed by the Chickahominy Tribal Dancers who will perform a traditional friendship dance. Master of Ceremonies will be Richmond radio personality Tim Timberlake.

The public is encouraged to take chairs and blankets. For more information and directions, go to the webside: www.VirginiaThanksgivingFestival.com.

Colonial Williamsburg

SWAC Niece with Colonial Williamsburg music interpreter.

I spent Saturday in Williamsburg with my family and, on an incredibly gorgeous late-fall day, we strolled Duke of Gloucester Street and bought gingerbread from the bakery and did all the things that make a trip to Williamsburg fun.

Growing up an hour's drive away, I have known the place all my life. I can remember when free shuttle buses drove up and down the streets. As middle schoolers, we were allowed to roam on our own away from the parents, hopping on and off the shuttle bus at will around the Colonial area. When we were older, my sister's boyfriend attended William and Mary so we spent our post-high school weekends hanging out on campus and Duke of Gloucester Street.

It's where my family was vacationing on 9/11/01 ... we heard about the planes crashing into the Twin Towers from an historical interpreter ... and I frantically made phone calls to my parents in Richmond and sister in D.C. to be sure everyone was safe.

While some things have changed -- a ticket is required to enter almost any historical building now -- some things will always remain the same. The gingerbread is still good. Christiana Campbell's Tavern is still pricey for my wallet. The ambiance is still wonderful. And the little kids always want their pictures taken in the stockades. I obliged for my 11-year-old nieces.

I get lost in the history of Virginia ... of America ... as I take in the Capitol and imagine spirited debates amongst our forefathers as they fought for freedom from Great Britain and set up the foundation of government for the Commonwealth.

I admit I'm a history nerd ... always have been, always will be. I love being a Virginian.

First published November 29, 2006

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell