Day 2 Summary

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It is hard to believe it has only been one day given all we packed into it. The team rose early for breakfast and then it was off to Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English settlement in the United States. The first stop after an introduction in the visitor's center was to the Tercentennial Monument. Although there are several monuments scattered around Historic Jamestown, this is the largest and most eyecatching. It was built in 1907 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown. One side of the base is engraved with the following quote which the students each copied into their travel journal:

“LASTLY AND CHIEFLY THE WAY TO PROSPER AND ACHIEVE GOOD SUCCESS IS TO MAKE YOURSELVES ALL OF ONE MIND FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR OWN, AND TO SERVE AND FEAR GOD THE GIVER OF ALL GOODNESS. FOR EVERY PLANTATION WHICH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HATH NOT PLANTED SHALL BE ROOTED OUT.” ADVICE OF LONDON COUNCIL FOR VIRGINIA TO THE COLONY – 1606

Inspiring words, indeed.

Walking across the footbridge on approach to the Tercentennial Mounment

Carefully copying down words of wisdom from the monument base

Looking from the base of the monument toward the James River at a fine group of students who may have found the only shade on the island

One more view with the Jamestown Church in the background as well

Also on the island is the famous statue of the inimitable Pocahontas. The boys couldn't resist her sturdy gaze...

Boys surround the beautiful Pocahontas

 ...And the girls stepped in as well as a show of solidarity. I am pleased to report that Pocahontas was un-phased by all the attention.

Girls have to stick together!

Inside the Jamestown Church, Mrs. Lund explains the significance of the building

 A statue of the mighty Captain John Smith, the hero of the Virginia Colony, overlooks the river, gazing out over its wide expanse. The students stopped here and learned more about how he took charge of the struggling colony and led them away from the brink of starvation.

Students at the base of the John Smith statue

 After a little more time by the river, we headed to another great site, the glass factory, where glass blowing artists demonstrated their craft for us and gave us a chance to procure their wares. The students learned about colonialism and capitalism in the same morning...that's a twofer!

Something about a river that brings people together (Kate, Emily)

See what I mean? (Mary Elizabeth, Savannah, Lily)

Spencer and Andrew reflect on their Jamestown experience in this short video clip:

Jamestown Glass Factory

Being taught how glass is made, colored, shaped...

...and sold :-)

 It might be a fair assumption that hand-blown Jamestown Glass will be appearing as Mother's Day gifts for more than a few Carden mothers but it is really neat and was fun and educational to see how it is made. We learned that glass is naturally green and must have additives to turn it clear or blue or other colors. Red is among the more expensive glass colors because it requires copper or gold to give it the red hue.

Isabelle and Allyson share what they learned about glass making in this video clip:

After a great time on Jamestown, we headed to Yorktown to visit the famous battlefield there and also Surrender Field where in reverence we looked upon the very ground where the British, under the command of General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington. Along the way we happened to see one of our nation's newest and mightiest naval vessels, the USS New York Battleship. It was forged from steel taken from the ruins of the World Trade Center towers, resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It was an unexpected treat to see and prompted Mrs. Lund later to explain that Mr. Jeffs would call such unexpected surprises, "bonbons", the French word for "sweets". This was certainly a bonbon for us.

A "bonbon" of a vessel - much more massive in person

 In Yorktown, we met Shirley, who was our delightful guide there. She has been helping Carden students for years and was so energetic, knowledgeable, and fun. She gave us a great overview of the battle of Yorktown and led us to the field where we could venture out and experience its location first hand.

Shirley captivating her audience - a truly wonderful guide

Students watching a video that described the Yorktown hostilities

Soldiers resting up before heading out to the battlefield

Looking out across the great Yorktown battlefield

 A highlight of the day was when the students carried the American flag across the battlefield, stopping periodically to read about the significance of the great emblem of our nation

Crossing the battlefield with Old Glory

Savannah reads aloud the flag's significance

Students alternated being standard bearers (Kyli)

 Video of the students crossing the field with the flag:

Marching across the field of battle

Ever wonder how to properly dispose of a tattered flag or how many U.S. flags there are on the moon or how to properly fly one at half-mast? James explains:

 It was inspiring to see how respectful the students are of the flag. These are remarkable young women and men.

Thank you for the respect you show (Thayer and Sam)

While the students were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing The Star Spangled Banner at the end of our march, I happened to spot this fellow circling gently overhead. Can't get much more patriotic than that scene.

Bald Eagle circling above the battlefield

 After the march, the students enjoyed exploring some of the battlefield implements before returning to the bus.

You hot head (Andrew, Ben, Sam)

Not sure that's what those were for ... but looks fun

There had to be jumping in here somewhere

Wahoo!

Look at me, I'm an eagle!

 After visiting the Yorktown Battlefield, we boarded the bus and headed to Surrender Field where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. It is a great story that really culminates in the birth of our independence as a nation. One could justifiably say that America was born on this field. The students remained completely silent in reverence for what happened here as we approached the lookout over the field, listened to a narration of the events that took place, and returned to the bus. What a wonderful experience.

Looking out in silence over Surrender Field

Contemplating what happened on Surrender Field

After the quietude of Surrender Field, we let our hair down, so to speak (in some cases, got new hair), and received an education in fashion-of-the-day from superguide, Shirley. This was a lot of fun. Students dressed up is some of the attire of the period and even learned a song or two. A great capstone to our Yorktown experience. 

Shirley showing us accoutrement of the colonial period

Just lovely (Anne)

Oh WOW! (Kate)

Who could resist?!? (Isabelle)

Nice tail! Actually called a "queue", some men actually wore these hair pieces (Gabe)

Having strong calves was a prerequisite - these fellas are all set. Check out Gabe's socks on the far left. Niiiiice!

Knowing how to properly extend niceties was very important

Lookin' good, ladies!

Shirley was a fount of knowledge!

Is this an actual colonial "Hip"-ster?

Beautiful curtsy ladies

Talk about out of your comfort zone...

Yorktown was wonderful and served as a great prelude to evening festivities in Colonial Williamsburg where the students explored a few of the sights and ended up dancing the night away in the Governor's Mansion where they were taught colonial dances by experts dressed in period garb. I'm not sure who had more fun, the students who danced or the adults who watched :-)

To preserve the ambiance of the period weren't allowed to film the dancing, which may have been for the best anyway. 

Here are a few parting pictures of our Carden youth in Williamsburg.

"Invading" Duke of Gloucester Street

Where can I get one of these for home use? (James)

In a "time-out" colonial style (Sam)

These guys really loved being restrained (Gabe, Cameron, Adam, Thayer, Colson, Sam, Andrew, Spencer, James)

"I swear I can see China" (Mr. Lund, Ben, James, Andrew, Spencer, Anne)

Mr. Wirthlin shared a very poignant story of the great leader George Washington

The Governor's Mansion where we danced the night away

One of our best dancers, Kate, shares her thoughts on the evening festivities:

Bonus video - Shirley teaching the students a new song and giving sage words of encouragement. Thank you Shirley!!

Now I've got to get to bed - we have a great day planned for tomorrow!! Feel free to leave any comments for me to pass along to the kids.