Amerisuites Riversbend Chester

Today was the prettiest day yet. Sunny, warm and the leaves are at their peak. I feel so lucky to be here today. Jamestown Settlemant and Historic Site are close to each other and often confused. As the site is still a work in progress - next door are the replicas of the settlement. Here we see how the Powhatan Indians lived and worked and the influence ...

... is there. The sweep of the Eiffel Tower was as majestic as imagined. I am so impressed by the design of it which dedicates little to ornamentation, with the exception of some scroll work near the ground, yet it still looks so elegant.

We grabbed lunch near the base of the Tower (yes Mike, now that I am off the plane every meal will be described in excruciating detail). I had a crepe with bananas and Nutella. I need the bananas to keep ...

... ov** the edge if I didn't reply. Once he did this really fast punching action into the air infront of him which made me flinch. In the end, though, he didn't give me any trouble and got up and walked away to find someone else to share his hatred with. I was glad for my ally on the oth** side, and we chatted about the crazies you see at the bus station. Needless to say, I was one of the first to get back into the line when the bus arrived!

Travel pointers:

Except for telAviv and Jerusalem….have a car. I can't tell you how many travelers we met that envied us with having a car. Especially in Galilee this gives you tremendous freedom and flexibility.

In a restaurant always ask for the check when you are ready.

10% is a standard tip, but be nice, play the friendly tourist and tip 15% for good service.

Respect customs ...

Well we started off right, but we hit lots of traffic on Rt. 95 heading into Mt.Vernon and Richmond. Made a historic pit stop at Mt. Vernon. Pretty impressive place. I almost embarrassed Kristi and had us kicked out for rubbing my face on General Washington's pillow. They take that stuff very seriously nowadays.

Then off to Richmond where we met Ryan and Kelly. First night...hotel...not bad.
We hit ...

Sunday July 26, 2009

Luba and I slept in until about 830am. Bevil and Stewart were, of course, up, dressed and waiting for us. Bevil and Stewart took us to O'Doul’s for breakfast and then afterwards took us to visit the family plot at the Hollywood Cemetery. It was great to see that Luba was actually interested to see where my father and family were buried. After a short ride through Richmond we headed back to the ...

... out Colonial Williamsburg. I was unimpressed. Watching people in historical costumes alternate between texting and bad acting isn't worth $40 to me. But the buildings were nice, and it was a pleasant little town to stroll around. But at no point did I feel I had been transported back to the 18th century. There's something less than authentic about vending machines with $3 bottles of water and ads announcing "Ye Must Be Thirsty. Quencheth It You Scallywag!" I ...

... the Chesapeake coast, they stopped along the James river and built Jamestown in 1607. We missed the 400th anniversary celebration which occurred last year. The welcome center is shaped into an "L" with the entrance at the lower end and a museum and movie theater along the left side. Mike and I were intrigued by this tower outside of the building, so we did not walk through the remainder of the visitor center. There was no indication of its ...

... We left for lunch then came back to visit the museum and gift shop. Zachary bought at least ten more hats. He now has four. We shopped at the Williamsburg General Store before eating dinner at the Peking Restaurant. Zachary and Kyle recommend the Frogs legs - taste like chicken. Tomorrow we are returning north to visit Monticello and Arlington. Travel Bloggers: Kyle and Zachary

... and humidity were getting bad. The tour was fabulous. We walked all around the grounds in ghastly heat. Wonderful vistas, a large vegetable garden and a fish pond for fresh fish. Jefferson had an ingenious system of having his out building half underground so he never saw them when looking out on his front yard. They were on either side of the vast front lawn area and connected on both sides of the estate including the kitchen to the main house by two tunnels and a dumb waiter.