I was trying to think of what to do for this post. Its been a very hectic winter, with graduate work piling up (mostly multiple drafts of my dissertation proposal) and this never ending winter that seems to have settled in on the East Coast. Seriously, its been too long. As I am writing this, it is snowing outside...in Virginia. I am so not use to this type of weather.
Anyway, I was down in Williamsburg last weekend for a conference and was trying to decide what to focus on for this anniversary post. I thought about heading over to the DeWitt Wallace Museum to check out decorative arts collection (a nod to my V&A post). Or perhaps checking out what new exhibits the VMFA had in store for visitors. But it was an absolutely gorgeous day - such a rarity this year - that the thought of being stuck inside all day, even at an amazing museum, just didn't sit well with me.
So instead, I turned to Colonial Williamsburg one more time and decided to walk DOG Street and see what I could find.
It is always so nice walking through Colonial Williamsburg. There is something about it, especially on a beautiful spring day. It doesn't matter how many tourists are there or what programs are going on, its always a nice way to spend a few hours.
Today, though, I was on a mission. It is spring in Colonial Williamsburg and that means one thing: its lambing season! I had seen posts from friends who had seen the newborn lambs, and I was determined to find them. However, this turned out to be easier said than done.
First up, though, there was a quick detour, as I saw a sign for something I had never seen before: a sign for an auction. It was set up behind some market stalls, with a group of people sitting around the auctioner. At first I thought it was just a program, but it turned out that people were actually bidding on the items.
And the auctioneer was great! He got people to start a bidding war over a creamware chamber pot. A chamber pot! (although they did call it delft...) And the prices weren't horrible, although it was probably a good thing that I left my money in the car, otherwise who knows what I might have come home with. Maybe that lovely version of shut the box.
I decided to head on and continue my search. Of course, it was not without some typical CW sightings. Like, the ever present horse droppings, to make it appear "more authentic"...
I started to ask around, trying to figure out where the lambs were being kept. I got a lot of mixed answers. The most promising was was that they were being kept in a pen out past the Capital, near the pigeons.
However, when I got out there, all I found were the male sheep and these guys. They were pretty excited to get a visitor and came over to chat a bit and show off.
I then headed back down DOG Street to continue my search, but got distracted again. This time it was by a bunch of men being sworn into the Continental Army. Hopefully they serve Virginia well (for the next 15 minutes at least).
After watching a bit of Revolutionary City, I continued on my way. I heard a rumor that the lambs might be behind the Peyton Randolph House, but they weren't. So I continued on, past the Governor's Palace, before deciding it was time to head over to the Tourist Information Center inside the ticket office in the Lumber House.
Where I finally got the right information. And thankfully it was fairly close, in one of the fields across from the DeWitt Wallace Museum.
It was a long search, but it was so worth it.
Aren't they so cute?!
This is one of my favorite times to be in CW, because of things like this. The Coach and Livestock Department does an amazing job of revitalizing heritage breeds, just like these adorable Leicester Longwool lambs.
Of course it helps that they are so adorable when they are born.
I had an amazing day in CW, even though at times it felt like I was on a wild goose chase. It is a unique experience, to be able to wander through the country's largest living history museum and just go wherever the day takes you. No plan (except to find the lambs), no time table, no restrictions. I hope that everyone has the ability to experience that one day. It makes it even better when its the first real spring day of the year.
I just wanted to thank you all for reading my blog. It has been a year full of change and challenges, but this blog has been so much fun to write. I can't wait for year two.
