Moondance's crew does the Historic Triangle.

We spent the last two nights at the Yorktown City Marina, which is on the York River.  It was a short walk to the Yorktown Battle Field and Visitors Center. It was there in 1781 that General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington.  It was a very impressive national park.  We also took a cab to the Jamestown Village (a replica of the settlement and ships,circa 1606), the first English settlement in America .   Then we went to  Colonial Williamsburg (a restored city depicting life in the 1700s), so we are in history overload right now!  Both Jamestown and Yorktown faded from existence and are now mainly parks dedicated to memorializing American history, and are well worth a visit.

We are anchored off the Rappahaaock River tonight and in the morning will head to Solomons Island, MD.  There we will meet up with Alexis’ cousin, Jeff, who I have not seen for many years.  He lives nearby, and it will be great to catch up!  Happy father’s day to all the fathers out there!  

Yorktown Main St.

The victory monument (below) is impressive, and overlooks the York River.  (remember to click on the pic to enlarge)

Yorktown killing field.  Here the Allied Forces (American and French) defeated the English after many brutal years of war.  

Chesapeake storms are fierce, but move on rather quickly.  You have to be on the lookout so as not to get caught!  

In 1606 three ships brought the first colonists from England to Jamestown (the oldest English settlement).  Remember St Augustine, a Spanish settlement, is older.  

This is the largest of the three.  The colonists were forced to stay below decks and were half dead when they finally arrived.  No wonder the colony did not survive.  

Below-decks was crowded with stores, cannons and water.  The colonists could not even stand up.  

The ship's wheel had not yet been invented, so they steered by tiller.  

The route.  A long way to hand tiller!  

The smallest of the three ships, Discovery.  It is 66' long (Moondance is 48') and had over 20 people on board.  Talk about a miserable four month ocean crossing.   

The settlers had black powder rifles and could get one shot off before hand to hand combat with Indians.  

In Williamsburg, this rouge tried to whisk Alexis away!  

General Lafayette.  Without French help, the Americans would not have won the war. Williamsburg had lots of reenactments.   

Fife and drums in Williamsburg.  

Believe it or not, Nathaniel Pope, mentioned here, is my many times Great Grandfather!  Stanwood will have to tell us how many times Great.