June 26, 2007, Tuesday
Williamsburg, VA
Tuesday was another century day. We chose the less demanding metric century route. We started the ride once again on the Colonial Parkway only heading south instead of east. After the crashes on the previous day, volunteers were stationed at the entrance to the parkway warning about the gaps in the concrete. The sight of the ambulances the day before was probably enough to make riders cautious, but it didn't hurt to remind them at the start of their ride.
The first stop was at Historic Jamestown, the site of the first "successful" English settlement in North America in 1607 (not to be confused with Jamestown Settlement, a privately run museum located adjacent to the park). A recent discovery of artifacts in an abandoned well lead to the discovery of the original fort location. Many of the artifacts are displayed in the new Archaearium, located on the site of the last Statehouse in Jamestown. Several volunteers were digging within the park. Wheelbarrel loads of dirt were then sifted in the search for more artifacts.
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| Jamestown | Pocahontas statue | Inside Jamestown Church |
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| Archaeological dig | Capt. James Smith "What hath I wrought" | Lunch at Little Creek Reservoir picnic area |
After sampling the treats at the rest stop and a walk around the grounds, we rode along Island Drive that loops around the island, Mary Turnbull's favorite ride. We learned that wine and silk production were attempted by the early settlers, but growing tobacco turned out to be the easiest and most profitable enterprise. We then headed north on smooth roads with good shoulders to the next rest stop at Little Creek Reservoir Park picnic area, and lunch at York River State Park. We were late for the wedding, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., of a couple who met and courted on previous Bike Virginia tours. It was a hilly two miles into the park, but the lunch made it worth the ride. On our after-lunch stroll through the par we spotted an osprey nest with a parent protecting two chicks from the sun by letting them hide under it's wings.
It was a good run back to tent city, much of it on a paved, shaded trail. After a shower in the motel, I walked to the very good bookstore Bertram & Williams Booksellers. I could have spent the day there browsing the many prints and drawings and rare books. I settled for a book of ink illustrations. We had a good dinner at Food for Thought Restaurant. Later we ventured downtown for some music and beer, then headed back to the room to prepare for our final ride of the tour.