O what a beautiful morning, a what a beautiful day, I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way (and a rest day)….  I had that tune on my mind for the better part of the morning’s ride.  The roads were quiet, the hardwood trees provided shade, the countryside was pastoral – and we didn’t have a super-long day (only 55 miles).  Lots of farmland, though not as much plowing today.  I noticed the small family graveyards.

At mile 36.5, we stopped for snacks at a crossroads market and I decided to ride the extra half mile to Bacon’s Castle, North America’s oldest brick dwelling, constructed in 1665.

We have been enjoying several ferry boat rides on this tour; the one today was the shortest so far, taking us across the James River.

On the other side was the Jamestown Living History Museum.   Nancy I. and I spent over 2 hours exploring there – and could easily have spent another two, if time allowed.

The 9 miles on the Colonial Parkway were difficult due to the surface, but the scenery along the James River was most pleasant: some bathers in the shallow water and the most pastoral scene of the day:

We are staying at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel, a big step up from the Motel 6 in Suffolk.

After dinner, some of us walked over to the Palace Green for Military Tattoo, originally a call to soldiers to return to the barracks before curfew, they are now more a display of troops.  Earlier in the day, there had been a national Drum Call, with fife and drum units from around the country, and they were part of the tattoo this evening.  These photos are before sunset, I’ll post the others tomorrow from my phone.

This was a day of too many photos!!