A Long Drive For Some Gingerbread

We recently had out of town guests.  As a Bed and Breakfast, we regularly have out of town guests, but these guests were family.  We had taken them to most of the local attractions over the previous visits, so this time we took them to Williamsburg.

Williamsburg is about a 3 to 4 hour drive, so we went for a few days.  Naturally, we had to stay in a B&B.  If you have a B&B, you try to stay in them when you travel.  Not only are the breakfasts usually better than the food you get in a hotel, but you can get ideas for your own business.  OOOH.  Does this mean this trip is a write off??  I sure hope so!

We stayed in the Newport House in Williamsburg.  The house is built from historical architectural plans back in 1756...you know, except for the bathrooms, electrical, etc.  The rooms were furnished with reproduction pieces from the period.  The hosts also use the second floor for a ballroom and hold Colonial Dances there.  Guests dress up in period costumes, available for rent, and dance away.

 

The host is a former museum director and designer of historic ships, including those used in movies.  As he serves you meal, he gives you a history lesson on Williamsburg or other local historic sights.  He is quite the story teller and even uses appropriate accents.  Bed and Breakfast guests are generally outgoing people and usually like to chat with the hosts about local points of interest.  If you want to pound down coffee in peace and quiet, this is not the place for you. 

The Newport House is a short walk to Colonial Williamsburg.  I was having back problems, so we parked a bit closer and then walked.  I had purchased tickets for the tour in years past, so I opted to just walk around and see the sights.  Also, standing to listen to the re-enactors with a crowd in a small room would not be an option with current said back problem. 

 

I always love a horse drawn carriage.  That would have been my ideal job, back in the day.  If I could pass for a man and if the weather was always as beautiful as it was in Williamsburg this Fall.

 

 The gardens are fun to observe. 

 

I would love a formal garden, if I had a formal gardener.

 

As a Botetourt County resident, I had to take a picture of Botetourt Street.  Same Lord Botetourt, different part of the Commonwealth.

 

The last time we visited Williamsburg it was summer and so hot, humid and crowded.  This visit was in the Fall, so school was in session, and it was a Monday.  What a difference. 

 

The main place I wanted to see was the Raleigh Tavern Bakery.  They make the best gingerbread there.  I have purchased their recipe book, but they must have left something out or changed something.  Mine are good but theirs are better.

 

So I walked almost to the end of Duke of Gloucester street and went in the bakery.  I bought a box of individually wrapped gingerbread and a hot cider.

It was worth the drive.