The first thing I did was hop on the Internet, surf over to the Colonial Williamsburg Web site. There I found enough infromation to convince me that our trip would be as glorious as we had hoped. I clicked over to the Information Request Form and had them send us the complete details.

When the package arrived it confirmed our decision to stay in one of the Colonial Houses or in one of the Historic Taverns. Situated in the Historic Area guests immerse themselves in the 18th century experience by lodging as would travellers in George Washington's time when they often stayed in the homes of residents or in a room in one of the local taverns. According to the brochure you can stay "in one of the restored or reconstructed buildingd in the Historic Area." Each building is furnished with 18th century reproductions such as canopy beds. Judging from the pictures the rooms come complete with all manner of furnishings and period fabrics to weary traveller relax and get into the spirit of Colonial America. Okay, so I'm starting to sound more like a decorator that a reenactor. I got caught up in the moment.

The one concern that Robin had was that the desire to create a truly 18th century experience for thier guests hadn't led the good folks at Colonial Williamsburg to place a pitcher of water and a wash basin on the dresser and a chamber pot under the canopied bed. While I strive for a certain level of "correctness" myself the 18th century version of a private bathroom did seem like it would be a bit much. Hey, I'm on vacation not at a Rendezvous in the woods. It was not to worry however. Our friendly travel agent spoke witht he folks at Williamsburg who assured her that there would be a 20th century style bathroom acompanying every accomodation, perhaps disguised with a hidden panel or as an adjoining room. "Sorry, Ma'am. I thought this was the bathroom. Carry on with whatever you two were doing. I'll just close the door and die of embarassment."

So we made our decision, sent in our deposit and reserved our historic lodgings. We don't know exactly in which of the 28 historic rooms we will be staying but whichever one we get I'm sure we'll be pleased. Rest assured though, your editor will be taking his trusty Sony Mavica along so there will be plenty of pictures for you to peruse when we return and get them posted on the Web. Seriously, we want to make our trip part fact-finding mission, part reenactment, and part relaxation. No make that a lot of relaxation. It's not that we don't love our children, we do. And we try and make our treks to reenactments a real family affair. Still, every once in a while it's nice to get away and not have to worry which of our four darlings isn't going to want to eat at the next restaurant.

We chose the Fall Foliage package for two reasons. First, we wanted to be there during the Prelude to Victory weekend. Every year, two weeks before Yorktown celebrates the anniversary of Cornwallis' surrender on October 19th, there is a gathering the troops in Williamsburg. The brochure states "More than 150 military reenactors will eagerly await General Washington's plan of attack as he prepares to siege Yorktown." Sounds like it could be interesting. And living as we do in coastal Northern California it offers us a chance to see the lovely colors of an eastern fall. Yes, we do have four seasons in California. Green, dry, brown, and wet. But those pesky pines, cedars and redwoods just won't cooperate when it comes to the leaves, or needles in their case, changing colors with the seasons.

But there are many more things to do in the "Historic Triangle" of Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and the Jamestown settlement than look at the fall coliage or sleep in an 18th cenury room. Just a few miles southwest of the historic area of Williamsburg is the oldest permanent English settlement in North America. Established in 1607, Jamestown was the first capital of the Virginia colony and remained the capital until 1688 when it moved to Williamsburg shortly after the founding of the College of William and Mary, still a major educational force in the area. And another few miles to the southeast is Yorktown, scene of the last major battle in the War for American Independence. Dominated by the Yorktown Victory Center and Colonial National Historical Park the city on the York River is a mecca for historians and reenactors alike. So, we have our "work" cut out for us. So many places to visit and explore. So much pure American history packed into a single small corner of southern Virginia. Civil War buffs find Hampton Roads Naval Shipyard, first Federal then Confederate then Federal again. Off shore is the site of the famous battle between the ironclads Monitor and Virginia, nee Merrimack, that ushered in the end of wooden fighting ships. Just west and a little north is the present capital of Virginia, Richmond, with the Museum of the Confederacy and the Confederate White House, home of Jefferson Davis.

See y'all then!---Ed.