Day 3 Summary

There are some very significant numbers that reflect some of our journey today:

• 17,904 = number of steps taken by this blogger
• 7.64 = number of miles that translates into
• 100 = percent chance of rain throughout the day
• 0 = impact the rain had on our fun and adventure
• 18 = number of Scottish tartan neckties purchased by Carden students at the Scotland Shop
• 13 = number of times unusually chatty boys had to be called to order by Mrs. Lund during our evening group meeting
• 0 = number of times the girls had to be asked to calm down during the same meeting. Huh? Seems like an odd role reversal, doesn't it?
• 50 = pounds of cheese and candy purchased and consumed via the phenomenal cheese and candy stores in Williamsburg

What a day today. As usual, we got going early and I have to say that these kids are doing a great job getting up and ready quite early and without complaint. Our itinerary began with a stop at The College of William and Mary, the second oldest college in the nation behind Harvard, chartered on February 8, 1693, by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. We explored several beautiful rooms in the Sir Christopher Wren building and learned from Mrs. Lund and Mrs. Horne about the significance of the College and the education it provided to some of our founding fathers, including three U.S. presidents—Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler.

Early morning gathering outside The Wren Building on William & Mary campus

Another shot of The Wren Building

iPhone withdrawal has led the ladies to seek solace in their cameras

Mrs. Horne teaching the significance of the college and its distinguished alumni

The classroom may be different, but energizing Q&A between teacher and students remains the same

In the organ balcony overlooking the chapel in the Wren Building

Asleep in church?...looks familiar

 After leaving the Wren Building and campus of William & Mary, we made our way further into Colonial Williamsburg and into the Governor's Palace. We learned a lot about its former residences and had a chance to tour its splendor.

The entryway contained scores of weapons as a show of force and assurance to the populace that the Governor was in charge and could protect them.

In the ballroom, we were treated to harpsichord music by a period musician

Listen to the music he played for us:

Outside the Governor's Palace - notice our tour guide in the upper right corner in full period clothing

The Palace gardens were spectacular

Pathway to a large pond on the grounds

Look closely. Can you spot the Carden students in the hedge maze?

Tree tunnel on the grounds

Another view of the Palace from the gardens

Last garden shot, I promise.

Garden girls (this doesn't count as another garden picture. It is more about the girls)

Mr. Hamilton's ride arrived just in time. Unfortunately, true to the period, it is powered by coal.

Moving on from the Governor's palace, we walked (quite a way) to the Williamsburg Capitol that housed the House of Burgesses of the Colony of Virginia from 1705, when the capital was relocated there from Jamestown, until 1779, when the capital was relocated to Richmond, VA. It is quite a building. Inside we received a summary of events surrounding the amazing evolution toward independence of the colonies that is rooted here.

Awaiting our turn to enter the Capitol

Receiving a phenomenal summary of events that had us spellbound. Many cited this as a highlight of the day.

 Here is an excerpt of the amazing lecture we heard today. This is well worth watching:

Outside the Capitol, Savannah found a nice hollow log to rest in. Spencer looked on and wondered why.

People in period costumes were everywhere. This little fellow was a kind of hybrid sort. Few people realize that the BMX bike and mohawk helmet originated with and were quite common among early colonials as a mode of transport and female attractant respectively.

It was fun to see the old buildings - many original - with period actors on the front porches. We went into many of these that serve as shops or display museums depicting colonial lifestyle features

  A long-standing tradition among Carden students and a favorite Mr. Jeffs ritual is buying a Scottish tartan tie at the Scotland Store in Williamsburg. Our first stop after lunch was to this shop where the students engaged with great alacrity. As we entered the shop, a kind elderly lady turned around and asked excitedly, "Are you the Salt Lake students?" She was delighted to see us but so saddened to hear of the Jeffs' passing. She told us a cute story about how Mr. Jeffs would sit in a chair by the door, resting his chin on his cane, and watch the student tie-feeding-frenzy, all the while asking "Is it safe for me to come out yet?" Clearly, he had an impact on people wherever he went; a lesson Mrs. Lund admonished us to consider during our lives - to be kind to others and build relationships with people wherever we go.

It was "go time" in the Scotland Store, leaving no tartan unturned

Sam sitting in Mr. Jeff's favorite chair in the Scotland Store where he could observe the students selecting ties and other Scottish emblems

The ladies displaying their 'colors'

Here's a little live action of the girls at this time:

Ben trying on his new tie. Sweet colors, Ben!

The balance of the afternoon was spent exploring Williamsburg. We saw a number of interesting installations, including a Gunsmith shop where we were able to learn about how early American arms were manufactured. We even got to watch a blacksmith hammering out a part for a gun. We visited the Bruton Parish Episcopal church and learned that it is 300 years old this year and has been open for services every day for each of those 300 years...pretty remarkable.

In addition to historical landmarks, we also had some fun, including some interesting moments with libations that we have captured here. First, girls drinking BACON flavored soda pop:

Mmmmm, good.

Not to be outdone, the boys took up the challenge as well with Bacon soda and Hot Wing Sauce flavored soda:

After all the shenanigans, it was time for dinner at Shield's Tavern where the food and drink was much more recognizable. We were treated to dinner music from a local as well:

At the end of dinner I asked some of the girls to reflect on the day and loved their answers. These young ladies are the best!:

As the ladies said at the end of the video, our next and final activity of the day was the spooky Tavern Walk where we learned about some of the more ethereal residents of Williamsburg

Learning about the spooks who haunt these old buildings

More ghost stories - the students were enthralled

Out into the streets to find some ghosts

All we really found were some strange sounding frogs in this ravine...

...And some great stories about jilted lovers and mourning parents who are restless in the hereafter and choose to return to the scenes of their corporeal misfortune

 All this writing about ghosts is making me scared. I'd better curl up in my bed and try to get some sleep - with all the lights on - in anticipation of another great day tomorrow. Thank you for letting us enjoy this time with your amazing Carden students. We're really having a remarkable time being educated and entertained together.