What's that glowing?

A flower from one of the National Zoo gardens. Doesn't it look like it has orange lights on it?

Independence

If you go to Berkeley Plantation, you'll find the Harrison family cemetery a short walk from the main house. One of the graves is of Benjamin Harrison V.
Also in the cemetery is this marker. Since we're coming up on the 4th of July I thought I'd post this reminder of what those who came before us had to go through.

Berkeley Plantation

Before going to Williamsburg, we toured Berkeley Plantation. On the James River, Berkeley was the home of Benjamin Harrison IV, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison, his son and a U.S. President.
Berkeley was built in 1726. You'll find this stone over the door on the side of the house. The initials of the owners, Benjamin and his wife, Anne, are carved into the stone. You have to look up or you'll miss this stone.

Orange surprise

This was the first creature I saw at the National Zoo yesterday. According to Wiki, it's a Ailanthus webworm moth. Whatever it is, I really like this picture.

Panda Bear

I went to National Zoo today and saw the panda bears for the first time. It was hot and they wanted inside so this was as close as we got. They're beautiful animals.

Hibiscus

My hibiscus are blooming

George and Lafayette

George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette. Temps were in the high 90s that day. George was not too happy another tourist and I were holding them up to take their picture.

Wigmaker

The wigmaker telling her visitors how she makes a wig out of human or animal hair.

One of the wigs on display in the shop.

These fine gentlemen were hanging out in front of the wig shop.

Oxen

These oxen are part of a rare breeds program at Colonial Williamsburg. They sure are big!

Downy Woodpecker

Looked out the window yesterday and saw this fellow so I snuck around the side of the house. He actually let me stand in front of the crepe myrtle and take this picture.

Magnolia blossom

We stopped at Berkeley Planatation, a historic plantation on the James River, on our way to Colonial Williamsburg. There were huge magnolia trees on the grounds. This is one of the blossoms. I thought it was pretty.

Gardens

More of the gardens. These are all on the palace grounds.

A close up of the purple flower you see above.


Another one of the vegetable gardens.

Vegetable garden

Colonial Williamsburg has a nice vegetable and flower garden in the middle of the city. Here are examples of what you'll find in the vegetable garden.

Silversmith

The silversmith was hard at work hammering out a bowl. I vaguely recall him telling us it will take him at least two weeks to make a bowl, maybe more.

James Anderson Blacksmith Shop

These two blacksmith were standing over coal heated fire making nails the day we visited their shop. Temps were in the high 90s. My grandfather and several ancestors were blacksmith so this gave me an idea of what life would have been like for them.



Each business had someone waiting to welcome you to each exhibit.

The Governor's Palace

The Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg is surrounded by beautiful gardens and several out buildings.


Notice the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom on the palace building.


The lion and unicorn are also used on the entrance gate.


George Washington stopped by to talk to palace visitors.

Milliner and tailor

While in Colonial Williamsburg, we toured many of the merchants in the historical city. I found the milliner and tailor to be the most interesting. According to the milliner, everything in the store is handmade. This particular dress was made for Colonial Williamsburg's artist-in-residence program to be used in a scene in which Lady Dunmore (actor Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter) is preparing to go to a ball at the Governor's Palace.


The next two dresses (plaid and pink) would have been appropriate for a woman to wear while shopping or visiting someone for tea.

Colonial Williamsburg

We're in Colonial Williamsburg for the weekend. This is my favorite part of the visit. I love the fifes and drums.

Eat Chikin

One of the best ad campaigns as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately, you don't see these around Manassas. I caught this one as we were leaving Atlanta last month.

Bee happy

Purple passion

Shades of hydrangeas

Cherry surprise

Back in the spring I thought this pretty blossom was a peach tree. I was surprised to see cherries growing on it this past weekend!

Baby cardinal

Last Saturday afternoon, I noticed a Mama and Daddy cardinal exhibiting unusual behavior so I headed to the backyard to check it out. I found them desparately trying to coax this baby back to the nest. They managed to get it out of the fence but unfortunately it headed in the wrong direction. They spent hours helping and feeding it. Late in the afternoon I noticed a second baby was on the ground. They worked to help it as well but I doubt either made it back. Two days later I still hear the same chirping that I heard on Saturday. I hope they can find a hiding place until they grow enough to fly.

Stars in memory

The National World War II Memorial honors those who lost their lives 66 years ago today.