COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG: GOVERNOR'S PALACE

Our Colonial Williamsburg route next took us on a tour of the Governor's Mansion.

Photos by Nancy Kozicki

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG: MARTHA AND HANNAH

I interviewed Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, the wife of George Washington and Women's Rights Advocate Hannah Lee Corbin for my radio show. After the interview of their characters, I interviewed the actors who portrayed them.

Photos by Nancy Kozicki

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG: THE COSTUMES

Nancy and Barb joined me as I begin my tour of Colonial Williamsburg with the Costume Design Center. I got a full tour of the various character costumes and how they made. Each "actor" gets and allotment of 45 pieces to include accessories. The Design Center also takes care of the cleaning as well. Some special costumes were shown to us as well.



Photos by Nancy Kozicki

Afterward, they set up a custom costume for me. I never knew that the word "stay" had more than one meaning.

Williamsburg: Busch Gardens

The temperature was in the high 90's as I traipsed through Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. I had my Gustbuster combination sun umbrella, walking stick, seat and rain umbrella with me which made it ten degrees cooler. There were three areas that I wanted to check out and was definitely not interested in any roller coaster or such ride. The Ireland area has this really fantastic show that combines a "plot" with singing, that great Irish riverdance and more.

Another new "ride" called Europe In The Air has popped up. It's a simulator that takes you on a trip through Europe. I didn't find it too bad on the body, if you know what I mean. Good photography. Only odd thing about this is how long a walk from the time you enter and the walk when you leave and all inside the "building".

Give me an opportunity to see or pet animals and I'm there. Animal Encounters is the name of the attractions. Highland Stables feature Scottish Blackface sheep, Border collies and Clydesdales. This exhibit highlights Scottish traditions dating back hundreds of years. They bring out different animals including a horse and lamb. You can get your picture taken with the animal while you pet them.

Another area had a screech owl that can be placed on your hand for a photo and then onto bald eagles and wolves that you do not have that access to.

SOTHYS SPA

I went back to Sothy's spa where Zina did this most fabulous and unusual facial. I'm not sure exactly which one it was, but it was like getting a complete facial plus a facial massage that involved pressure points. It will be talked about on my radio show by Trena Ross.

MICHEL CLUIZEL CHOCOLATES

I met Jacques Dahan at the annual Chocolate Show last November. He is the owner of a company called Noble Ingredients that feature Michel Cluizel Chocolates. You could probably tell by the names that the chocolates come from France. I went to the store located on Fifth Avenue between 47th and 48th to check it out. Michelle, the manager, started me off with an iced chocolate of a special chocolate mixture. Being quite warm outside and having walked several blocks from Sothy's, where I had a facial...later on that...the iced chocolate hit the spot.

I chose different types of chocolates and brought it home to do the tasting. Jacques will be interviewed on tomorrow's internet radio show. Here are the photos.

ZIP-LOC BAGS

I have been testing out various sizes of Zip-loc bags to see if they can do the same as the "space bags". I have never done well with those "spacies" as the zipper on the top never seems to close the bags. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!

The Zip-loc bags used to be sandwich size, but not any more! You actually have a choice of stuffing and almost closing the top before either sitting on the full bag to let out the air or actually taking your vacuum and doing the same as with the space bags...just a bit more maneuvering. I never realized how many blankets I had in the house. Here are some before and after photos.

There are also stacking bags that are flexible but do have air escapes. They should not be placed in a storage room where any moldy smell may get in. The other ones can.

Can you get a week's worth of clothing into a carry-on bag to avoid paying even that first $25 bag check-in? Check back on this.