In March, about a month after his 16th birthday, Caesar died. As a dachshund — our oldest of three dogs we have had for the past eight years — he lived a full life.

To celebrate his adventuring spirit, we took a trip somewhere new, Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Caesar swam in the Tennessee River after balls, played on beaches, and climbed mountains. He was an amazing member of the family.

A few days after our visit, the historic tourist site closed.

One thing that is cool about Williamsburg is that many buildings in the historic tourist area are that roughly based on the town we live in now — Edenton, North Carolina. During the restoration process of the 1920s and 1930s, the designers came to our town to find inspiration in our colonial era buildings.

Our 1767 courthouse was the basis of the governor’s palace in Williamsburg. In some ways, the city feels like a bigger version of where we live.

We attended several church services on that day, Ash Wednesday — one at the William and Mary chapel. The second one was at the Bruton Parish Church, Episcopal church in Colonial Williamsburg.

They were the last religious services we attended before the stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic went into effect.

We ate lunch at the DoG Street Pub, which in on Duke of Gloucester Street. Eating at a place named after Caesar’s species was a nice touch. The food was great too. As a side note, the pub has outdoor seating and sponsors a running club.

The shopping area near Colonial Williamsburg is very pedestrian friendly.

To tour the area around Colonial Williamsburg, it’s free. But if you want to see any demonstrations or go into most of the buildings that aren’t in the commercial zone, it will cost you. The cost varies on your age and which buildings you decide to tour. You also have to pay for parking.

The prices for things seems comparable to other tourist areas we’ve visited.

Below are some photos from our adventure.

  • London Particular from DoG Street Pub is a split pea soup with bacon.
  • We loved these blue water bottles.
  • Marking Caesar’s death.
  • See the angel holding up the podium?
  • Bruton Parich Church’s altar.
  • Thomas Jefferson attended William and Mary. Contemporary James Monroe also attended.
  • The William and Mary crest above the chapel’s entryway.
  • A cannon at William and Mary.
  • The top of the cannon from the photo to the left.
  • Statues are everywhere.
  • A marker noting the founding of the College of William and Mary.