Hampton, Virginia. Salt Ponds Marina and Resort. October 5, 2020
Marc- Today we played tourist while we waited for Doreen Gilmartin to arrive via Amtrak from New Jersey. I started this morning with a three mile run in 55 degree weather with a slight seabreeze along the beach avenue here in Hampton. I had not run for months so this was reassuring. Michael rented a car from Enterprise and off we went to Yorktown, Virgina and part of the Colonial National Historical Park. The Park has partially reopened during Covid 19 with only one Park Ranger greeting the visitors. The Visitors Center is closed. Our ranger was very informative and gave us materials for a self guided visit. We first saw the village of Yorktown itself. Much of the village has been restored to its Colonial period appearance despite the fact that most of the structures are private homes. The public / private partnership has worked really well here and it made me recall our visit to Colonial Williamsburg. The waterfront has seen major restoration by the National Park Service and improvements for visitors including a marina and several well maintained beaches. The Battle of Yorktown was the last great battle of the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783. It was here that the American forces of George Washington, working with its strong ally France with its experienced army and its Naval Fleet, defeated the British forces on land and sea. The Park Service explains how this victory was achieved with details such as changes to the landscape that remain to this day. The House still stands where the Surrender of the British Forces led by General Cornwallis was negotiated.
We returned to Hampton and toured Fort Munroe National Monument which sits right at Hampton Roads beside the entrance to Chesapeake Bay and to the mouth of Norfolk Harbor. This US Army base recently closed but held extraordinary historical significance from the early 19th century through 2011. The National Park service has opened up the massive complex and private housing abounds in beautiful officer's quarters and a massive hotel complex. The beaches on the base are beautiful.
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