Wed., Oct. 17 - Today we leave Gloucester Point, Virginia, where we've been since Saturday evening. It was such a pleasure to re-connect with my cousins. Diane and Terry moved their family to the east coast about 20 years ago and Karen moved out here with her son, Charlie, about 10 years ago (I hope I have those years right). We’ve seen them on occasion when they've returned to Minnesota to visit, but only at funerals and other large family gatherings. Prior to their moving, we didn’t see them much more than once a year at the annual Christmas party, so it was special to have time with just them.
Karen, Diane, and Terry joined us at the marina Sunday morning at about 9:30. We spent some time visiting on the boat, then they took us out for brunch in Historic Yorktown. We went for a nice drive on Colonial Parkway, through Historic Williamsburg, and to Karen's new townhouse in Williamsburg, where we met 20-year old Charlie. From there, we all went over to Diane and Terry's new house, just five minutes away. Both families moved up to Williamsburg from Yorktown in May/June to be closer to Terry's office and their kids.
We spent a very pleasant day with them, as well as Diane and Terry's son, Alex, who is 21, their daughter, Steph, son-in-law, Dave, and Steph and Dave’s lively, adorable 14-month old twins, Hannah and Jack.
Diane and Terry insisted that we take their car for two days. It was such a generous offer and how could we possibly turn it down? I doubt that a newly-licensed 16-year old on her first night out with the family car could have been more eager.
Monday we had 500-hour engine maintenance and other miscellaneous stuff done on the boat, then used the car for a few errands. Tuesday we drove to Historic Williamsburg and spent most of the day exploring and imagining what it must have been like in colonial times. It was interesting, informative, and made that period of American history come alive for us. To quote from their website (http://www.history.org/):
"In Colonial Williamsburg's 301-acre Historic Area stand hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings. Costumed interpreters tell the stories of the men and women of the 18th-century city—black, white, and native American, slave, indentured, and free—and the challenges they faced. In this historic place, we help the future learn from the past."
Later...Diane called me this morning at 9:00 to see if we had time for visitors before heading to Norfolk. Hers and Karen's other sister, Marilyn, and Marilyn’s husband Paul were visiting from Minnesota and wanted to drive down and see us and the boat. We weren’t about to pass up that opportunity, so we moved our departure time back a bit and welcomed them aboard for a short but sweet visit.
congradulations on getting as far as you have-great to see you have relatives for a change of scenery. I am in contact with my cousin who I hadn't been in touch with for 20 years-very fun. Our pregnant daughters are doing much better-Chad and Jen due in Jan. are having us moms and herself get together for a sewing day for babies room. Fun!! Mesha has been able to back of her nausea meds and only made 4 visits to er when she thought she was dying but she's 16 week now and is able to eat small meals and drink liquids which is really important for her kidney condition. Great womens weekend scrapbooking with all the girls in the family and the boys all took rather good care of the kids.Thanks for the stories on the blog-very fun to read!love paula(jim)
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