Day 85 - Mon 21 Oct 2019 - America's Historic Triangle

Today we start off with a visit to Jamestown where John Smith landed on May 1607 to establish the first English permanent settlement in the colony of Virginia. Jamestown was the capital of the Virginia Colony until 1699. We learned that this was actually driven by the Virginia Company of London for economic reasons and that this was the first oversees colony established by the Kingdom on England to build their empire where the sun never sets.

Another interesting aspect we learned was about the role Pocahontas played in achieving a truce between the natives and English settlers through her marriage to John Rolfe. This is where they got married.

We spend a few hours walking the site and the visitor information center to learn about the trial and tribulations of the early settlers. During one bleak winter they had to resort to cannibalism to survive. The kids earn another Rangers badge.

Mid-afternoon we head over to Yorktown where we learn about the decisive battle in Oct 1781 by the combined American and French forces against the British. This was the last major land battle in the American Revolution and ultimately led to the recognition of the United States of America in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Another Rangers badge for the kids.

We are ushered out of the visitor center at closing time and drive the grounds to visit the 2 redoubts that the Americans and French stormed to create their second trench, which gave them the edge in the battle.

Unfortunately we ran out of time to properly explore the historic site of Williamsburg which is now a living museum. We do drive past and see some of the restored old buildings. Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia Colony 1699 to 1780. 3 US presidents went to school here.

Today: 125km - 3h