Fort Monroe Seawall Hampton, VA

This morning we went for a walk on the Fort Monroe Seawall. It's easy to get to from Interstate 64. Take Exit 268, turn left onto Mallory Street. Turn right onto E. Mellen Street and follow that across a small bridge onto Fort Monroe. There are several parking lots on the right hand side where you can park and start walking on the seawall.

It was a beautiful day for walking along the water.  There were several guys fishing at Engineer's Pier.

The path is flat, a concrete sidewalk. Very easy to walk on.

The flag was flying over the fort on the day before Veteran's Day.

We are always reminded that this was a former military installation. The guns are right over PG's head.

But it's also a family friendly place. Tire swing next to a big tree--I couldn't fit in it but it would be perfect for a little girl.

The Chamberlin is now a retirement/assisted living home. It used to be a hotel. Before the Chamberlin was there--Continental Park was the site of the Hygeia Hotel. During its glory days, the Hygeia Hotel claimed a 1,000-guest capacity, more than 500 employees and the country's largest ballroom. The Chamberlin is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman who stayed at the Hygeia. Her father was a fisherman who went to sea one day and never returned. She still waits for him. She knocks things off shelves in the Chamberlin and sometimes she is heard playing the piano in the grand ballroom.

The Chamberlin is haunted. More than one apparition is said to walk the halls of this cavernous establishment, but the most famous is the ghost of a young woman. Her father, a fisherman, went to sea one day and never returned. "She's still waiting for him," said the clerk in the gift shop. "She knocks things off shelves every once in a while, and sometimes she plays the piano." - See more at: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/chamber.htm#sthash.j8G7UXV5.dpuf

The Chamberlin is haunted. More than one apparition is said to walk the halls of this cavernous establishment, but the most famous is the ghost of a young woman. Her father, a fisherman, went to sea one day and never returned. "She's still waiting for him," said the clerk in the gift shop. "She knocks things off shelves every once in a while, and sometimes she plays the piano." - See more at: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/chamber.htm#sthash.j8G7UXV5.dpuf

The Chamberlin is haunted. More than one apparition is said to walk the halls of this cavernous establishment, but the most famous is the ghost of a young woman. Her father, a fisherman, went to sea one day and never returned. "She's still waiting for him," said the clerk in the gift shop. "She knocks things off shelves every once in a while, and sometimes she plays the piano." - See more at: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/chamber.htm#sthash.j8G7UXV5.dpuf

In the middle of the seawall is Outlook Beach, one of the best places to enjoy views of the Chesapeake Bay.

Of course, Sammy has to go into the Chesapeake Bay!

Looking up from the beach--you can see huge freighters going into Hampton Roads! Beautiful blue sky and water!

Riverwalk Yorktown, VA

It's the end of Daylight Savings Time and we had an extra hour to kill today--so we went to Yorktown to walk on the Riverwalk.  This is a mile long walk along the York River from the Yorktown Battlefield to the Yorktown Victory Center. We parked across the street from the Waterman's Museum and the bright windmill.

The windmill project was started in 2008 to reconstruct William Buckner's Mill in Yorktown. It was assembled and the sails installed in the fall of 2011.

The path is made of brick pavers--very easy to walk on.

The path is right along the York River. I believe sand was blowing in Sammy's eyes because it was a very blustery day!

Such a pretty place to walk!

At the top of the hill close to the battlefield is a redoubt.

We turned around at the top of the hill and walked back down into Yorktown. From the path there is a great view of the Coleman Bridge into Gloucester.

The bridge was widened and reconstructed in 1995. The roadways are almost 90 feet above the river at the highest point of the bridge. The bridge is the largest double-swing-span bridge in the United States, and second largest in the world.

Docked at the pier was the Schooner Alliance, a 105 foot gaff rigged schooner. They were offering a day sail at 2pm--but dogs weren't allowed aboard!

Two of the most significant Revolutionary War leaders at Yorktown were General George Washington in command of the Allied ground forces and Admiral Francois de Grasse in command of the French fleet controlling the nearby waters. Their roles were closely linked but they only met twice. Both meetings were held on de Grasse's flagship, Ville de Paris. The first was on September 20 to complete planning for the attack on Yorktown and the other was on October 21 to explore future operations in the south. Sculpted by Oyd Player of Yorktown, VA.

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG