USA 2022 Day 7 + 8 (or also Egg and the Squirrels)

Well, let's make good use of the travel time today and write a little about the past few days.

On Thursday, we visited Norfolk. Before we got there, we went shopping again. Those who know me know how much I enjoy shopping - not. Nevertheless, we spent another good 1.5 hours in one (!) store and I spent $330. Well, what can I say, got some good stuff. And it fits. 😉

Next stop, Norfolk. The Nauticus Museum and USS Wisconsin were the main attractions for us - and a snack somewhere. By chance, we came across a shop for a Philly Cheesesteak. It was very tasty, very rich, and definitely worth the experience. This is where our first few days' achievement comes in handy: baby wipes. (I can only recommend always having them with you.)

We then continued to the museum and the warship. Let's make it short: the visit was definitely more interesting for Egg than for me. I always get an oppressive feeling and I simply don't like it. It's impressive, especially considering the history that this ship was commissioned in 1944 and decommissioned in 1991. It has seen and experienced a lot.

If anyone is interested, take a look. It's worth it.

After visiting the Pagoda & Oriental Garden in Norfolk, we went for a huge cookie dough ice cream in Williamsburg. So, we didn't save on calories that day, but we also walked a lot, so we can... 😁

As mentioned in the last post, we stayed in Williamsburg, right in the middle of the Historic Triangle. The Historic Triangle consists of the cities of Jamestown (first settlement), Williamsburg, and Yorktown (a decisive battle in the American Revolutionary War).

After Williamsburg, we also added Jamestown and Yorktown to our list of excursions.

In Jamestown, you can still see some original ruins of the first settlers, as well as a Pocahontas statue. If you're thinking of the movie, you're not completely wrong, but there's more history behind it. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocahontas)

We tried to make friends with one or two squirrels on the grounds of the first settlement. They are really abundant here. There are at least 5 squirrels in the picture above. And we personally greeted each and every one of them. Well, actually, it was Egg. 🐿️

But it wasn't just here that we made an animal stop, we did it at every opportunity. Whether there's rustling in the undergrowth or chirping somewhere. 'We' have to check it out. 😁

Another point of interest in Jamestown are the ruins of the old glassworks. Next door, a building has been reconstructed where tourists can still see the operation and buy souvenirs.

It was funny for us that an older gentleman stood next to us and proudly said that he built this building. He's 73 now, and when he was 28, he built it. Simply heartwarming.

We also visited the battlefield at Yorktown, or rather drove around it by car. Two things about it:

1. The area is huge and can be driven on with a car on two ring routes. 😁

2. There's not much to see. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There are signs or viewpoints at some places.

I can recommend Jamestown - Yorktown, well, historically interesting and certainly idyllic for cycling, but otherwise a lot of scenery and not much to see. (But we did see a cute little beaver! 🤩)

What I found very funny in Yorktown: at the visitor center, we got into a conversation with someone who was stationed at the barracks in Böblingen for three years. We talked a bit in German and English with him.

My interim conclusion after 1.5 weeks in the USA:

The people here are extremely friendly and helpful (which really surprises me).

Driving on the interstate (similar to the highway) is very pleasant because everyone drives at the same speed.

They can't make coffee.

I'm looking forward to my water at home that is not infused with chlorine (by then, I'll probably have drunk a whole pool).

In this part of the USA, they attach great importance to well-maintained lawns everywhere.

Dr. Pepper is better than cola. 😁 (Note from the guest author: No!!)

You get everything in plastic packaging (which I'm not so fond of).