Veterans of the Korean
War Reunion
Virginia Beach, Virginia
|
|
|
|
Things to See (From the AAA Mid-Atlantic Tourbook) Tidewater Virginia, the coastal plain region from the Potomac River south to North Carolina, was the first area on the continent settled by English-speaking people. The Potomac, Rappahannock, James and York rivers cut the northern and central Tidewater into fingers. The Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore protect the three narrow peninsulas, or necks. Early settlement naturally took place along these sheltered estuaries, which were means of commerce and transportation. The area's land is flat, but rich in nutrients as well as history. Colonial parkway, a AAA designated scenic route, connects Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown in the southernmost neck of the Tidewater region. Colonial National Historical Park includes Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English settlement, founded in 1607, and Yorktown Battlefield, where the last important conflict of the Revolutionary War was fought. At the intersection of US60 and the parkway is Williamsburg. Originally an outpost of Jamestown called Middle Plantation, Williamsburg was renamed in 1699 and replaced Jamestown as the capital of Virginia. An earlier era is recreated in the nation's largest restored 18th century town through Colonial shops, artisans demonstrating Colonial crafts, taverns that serve authentic colonial-era foods and citizens dressed in the attire of the day. On SR5 near Charles City are several antebellum plantations majestically lining the James River. among them are Berkeley Plantation, site of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619, Sherwood Forest Plantation, home of President John Tyler, and Shirley Plantation, Robert E. Lee's ancestors' home. Yorktown, at the eastern terminus of Colonial Parkway, is best known as the site of the British surrender that ended the American Revolution. The battlefield surrounds the town. I-64 intersects the Colonial Parkway, continues east to Newport News, on to Hampton, Norfolk and then around Portsmouth to the west. These cities also share the world's largest natural harbor, Hampton Roads. In the shipbuilding business since 1886, Newport News preserves its maritime heritage through the Mariners Museum on US60. Hampton is America's oldest continuously English-speaking settlement. Norfolk remains a major shipping port and because of its superior harbor is the headquarters for the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet. Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, Norfolk's renovated waterfront and downtown add to the city's nautical charm. Portsmouth is a harbor town across Hampton Roads from Newport News and separated from Norfolk on the east by the Elizabeth River. The Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway extends from the junction of I-264 and I-64 to the coast. Virginia Beach has become a family vacation hot spot with 28 miles of golden beaches, excellent fishing, a variety of water sports and local seafood. Just south of Portsmouth, Dismal Swamp stretches over more than 223,000 acres of southeaster Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Part of the area is a wildlife refuse sheltering black bears, wildcats and thousands of birds in its dense forests, vine and brier thickets and peat bogs. |
|
Copyright 2001-2008 Veterans of the Korean War Reunion Inc. |