The true beginning

Nelson House

Young Mr. Nelson

The past 2 days have been incredible.  On Sunday we went to see Yorktown - meant to go to Jamestown, but missed the turnoff, thankfully - and were to amazed at the beauty of the buildings that are there.  The Nelson House is all original, with only the entryway and stair treads being replaced...strangely enough, those are the only  places in the whole house that squeak!  This is such a beautiful setting, Yorktown; right on the river and such a beautiful day.

View down the "big valley" in Yorktown

Yorktown was instrumental in the Revolutionary war.  This was where the British were pretty thoroughly routed by General Washington.  The British had kept their backs to the river with the thought that they would (if necessary) use that as their escape route...well they tried that, but a storm came up (thank you Lord) and only a couple of boats got through.  The British surrendered there, and we then became the United States of America.  Kind of special, wouldn't you say? I got goose bumps many times as we were going through the town.  The walk back to the car was kind of quiet when we thought about all the homes that had been destroyed (the bare lots bearing witness to that) and how we owed such a debt to France for keeping the British navy away from the area...they really got 'em good!
Then, Sandi and I came upon this little scene:

Deer right next to the pathway to the parking lot

We just stood there.  I felt renewed as I looked at these beautiful creatures just eating and obviously not afraid of humans; cautious, but not afraid.  How I wish all the world were like this.  Wouldn't it be a lovely place?
Then yesterday, 9/10, we went to Jamestown - rather, properly, James Fort.  This was the highlight of the trip as far as I'm concerned.  James Fort was on an actual island in the James River and was chosen by the immigrants from Great Britain for it's defensive position: anyone coming up river would have to turn the corner of the island, which would put them in broadside position to the guns at the fort.  The fort itself was built like a triangle with bulbs at each point.  The longest side was to the landward side because there was not as much need to defend that side: it was backed by a tar swamp.  Nobody came that way! We were fortunate enough to have Danny, an archaeologist at the site (he's been there since he was 16) do a presentation of the dig.  You see, nothing remained of the fort and most thought that it had eroded into the James River long ago.  One man didn't think so and he obtained permission from the not-for-profit organization who owned a part of the island to do his best to find the fort.  The dig commenced in 1994 and within a week evidence was found that large posts had been in that spot.  The whole thing is too long to go into in this blog, just suffice it to say that it was fascinating and wonderful... this is the FIRST community in these United States.  Where we were walking Captain James had walked, John Smith had walked, Pocahontas had walked.  To say that the experience was surreal would be putting it mildly.  The dig continues and they are still finding incredible artifacts.

Danny the Archaeologist

Foundation for church.  You can see a slightly darker rectangle on the right hand side that is in the light area...that's a grave.

Danny pointing out the grave.  Since it was inside the church, it was an important person.  Probably the first minister of the church who died in 1608.

 There is so much more.  Some of it heartbreaking - the number who perished in the first year - some of it breathtaking - the fact the we were looking at the spot where John Roth and Pocahontas were married and the absolutely incredible scenery.  I'm getting goose bumps right now thinking about it.  How blessed we are and how little we really appreciate it.
We're off to Bristol, TN today after a visit to Monticello.  I can hardly wait to see my friend Paule Sue again...it's been a looooooong time! More tomorrow.