Luray Zoo

Next, we headed over to the Luray Zoo.

Luray Zoo is a rescue zoo that provides a safe and permanent home for unwanted, confiscated, or abused exotic animals.

This zoo houses an extensive collection of snakes.

T is checking out a snake!

We saw many unusual birds.

Scarlet Macaw

The Macaw is a large bird common to Central and South America.  These colorful birds can grow to a height of over 30 inches and a weight of over two pounds.  They use their large, hooked beaks to crack open Brazil nuts and to slice fruit.*

Eurasian Kestrel

This Eurasian Kestrel was born in captivity and was bred to be a falconry bird. Sadly, she was born with a deformity called angel wing.  As a result, she has only 70% use of her right wing and can't fly well enough to catch prey.*

Gyrfalcon

The Gyrfalcon inhabits arctic regions in North America, Greenland, Europe, and Asia.  It reaches a length of 24 inches and a weight of two to four pounds and prefers open areas and rocky cliffs from which it can hunt easily.*

Kookaburra

The Kookaburra is recognized easily by its long, sharply-pointed beak.  It inhabits woodlands in Australia.  It is the largest species of Kingfisher and reaches a height of 18 inches and a weight of one pound.*

I think my favorite was the tiger.  I've never seen a tiger so "up close and personal" before.

This Bengal Tiger was born in captivity on July 4, 2003.*

Bengal Tiger

The coat of a Bengal Tiger varies from reddish-yellow to rust brown.  These tigers reach a body length of five to nine feet and a weight of 350 to 550 pounds.  They are found throughout India, with smaller populations in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Burma.*

T loved the petting zoo.

T was having so much fun that he asked us to buy more food for the animals to eat.

T is signing the word more.

How could we resist that sweet boy...and those hungry animals??!  ;o)

T definitely was very "into it" until the donkey made his presence known!

He brayed so loudly...on and on.  T covered his ears with his hands and started to truck it out of there.  We had to coax him back...but he would not go anywhere close to that poor, hungry donkey for the longest time!

Wallaby

A Wallaby is only pregnant for 30 days before she gives birth.*  I think this Wallaby has a little one in her pouch.

We also saw Ring-Tailed Lemurs; however, this one was my favorite:

My Ring-Tailed Lemur!

~A warm day and a worn out boy!  :)

*source:  Luray Zoo

Covered Bridge

On our way to the potato chip factory, we crossed this covered bridge.

According to a nearby sign, it is Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge...built in 1892 by Franklin Hiser Wissler to provide access to his apple orchards at Strathmore Farms, and is the longest remaining covered bridge in Virginia.

A 200-foot single span, the bridge is a Burr Truss design ― a combination of arch with vertical and diagonal supports.  All construction materials were obtained locally.

Damaged by arsonists in 1976, the bridge was restored and reopened in 1979.

Potato Chip Factory

Today, we visited a local potato chip factory...the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory.  It was fascinating to watch the entire potato chip-making process, from whole potatoes being cut into slices to seasoned chips being put into bags.

Unfortunately, they did not allow photos to be taken of the process.  However, they did permit photos to be taken in their lobby.

say "chips"

Here is T, sitting in front of a huge Route 11 interstate sign which they found at the dump!

We bought some small bags of chips.  They offered several different flavors for sale.  Actually, we purchased three bags...and then added a fourth after sampling the pickles flavored chips.  Who would have thought pickles flavored chips would taste so good?!  lol.

They are open to the public Monday-Saturday from 9am-5pm.  They do not offer walk-through tours of the facility, but they do have an amazing fry-viewing experience.  They do not fry every day, but we happened to be there on a day when they were frying!

―Did I mention that their chips taste outrageously delicious?!!  :P

Vacation in Virginia

We left home early this afternoon for an eight-day family vacation in Virginia....I guess I'll go ahead and admit that it would have been a nine-day vacation if we'd left yesterday as originally planned.  I somehow just couldn't quite get it together.  :/

We stopped at the North Carolina welcome center for a mid-afternoon picnic.  ~A bit cool and breezy...but nice, nevertheless.

Later, we stopped at the Virginia welcome center to stretch our legs...

and arms!  :)

Finally...about bedtime...we arrived at the resort in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.  The drive was beautiful...until it was too dark to see much!  ;o)

The condo was clean.  Hmmm...what else can I say about the condo?  Umm...it was clean!  Actually, it was about what we expected after reading reviews about it ― straight out of the 70s, with lots of mirrors!  lol.

Christmas in July

aka Colonial Williamsburg, Part 3b

Inside the Greenhow Store, jars full of 18th-century-style candy and a display of cinnamon sticks greet visitors.

As we were wandering through the store, my mom picked up an old-fashioned candle holder and asked me, "What's this...a doughnut maker??"  That struck me as so funny, that I turned around and said to my dad, "Mom thought this was a doughnut maker!"  However, as soon as I had spoken, I realized it wasn't my dad standing there...it was Santa!

We had a nice conversation.  I told him how less than an hour earlier, T had pointed to a fireplace in a building we were touring and said "chimney, Santa, Barney" (thinking of a Barney Christmas VHS movie we have at home, which he watches year-round).

Don't you know that that sweet, kind Santa went outside where T was sitting and sat down next to him so I could take a picture?  He was so good with T; he even asked T about Barney.  It was totally delightful...and all so unexpected!  :)

Colonial Williamsburg, Part 3a

~Back to Williamsburg today!

First, we toured the Governor's Palace.

Above white painted wrought iron gates are the lion and the unicorn, symbols of British rule.

The entrance hall was decorated with weaponry.  Muskets, sabers, and pistols covered the paneled walls.

The parlor also served as a waiting room where most visitors were received; only important visitors went beyond.

The butler's pantry was filled with glassware.

This bedroom was used as a guest room by some of the governors.

Upper-class Virginians would be invited to the ballroom on special occasions.  As many as 30 couples would attend a ball held to celebrate a royal birthday or another important event.

A life-sized oil portrait of King George III hangs in the ballroom.

After their introduction to the governor, guests would dance the steps of the minuet.

When dancing was over, guests would adjourn to the supper room beyond the ballroom.

Crafted wood molding and
carved door pediment

Early linen spring shade
on the window

The chamber organ and bureau organ are examples of period musical instruments.

A Buzalo coal-burning stove was imperative in winter in such large rooms as the ballroom and the supper room.

This is the rear view of the Governor's Palace...

with a close-up view of the royal coat of arms over the rear entrance.

Rear view from a garden with
sculptured boxwood hedges

There were guests in the garden.

Next, we visited the wheelwright...

where wheels are made for carriages.

T was so excited to see the horses!

The stable at the
Governor's Palace

Our next stop was the Shoemaker's Shop.

(~Looks a bit like a modern day shoe tree -- doesn't it??!)

The shoemaker would work every daylight hour, hand-stitching and forming leather to make custom footwear.