By Charlie Adams
Group Travel Host
The much anticipated Williamsburg trip is close! I am going to be hosting the Dec 11-17, 2008 trip to Williamsburg, Biltmore Estate, and the incredible Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. We are going to see the Rockettes and the Louise Mandrell Joy to the World Christmas show at that Hotel in Nashville.
I haven't been to Williamsburg since the 1970's. Did you know former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz used to be a coach at William and Mary in Williamsburg? They didn't win much. He said it was because they had too many Mary's and not enough William's on the football team (!).
Sherrill Lee is going to manage the trip. As always, I will share humor and inspiration as group host. I have got my camera gear to produce the DVD of the trip and we are setting January 4th as the Reunion Party of the trip.
The bus driver will be the always popular Gary! He drove us down to Branson in November. He is a piece of work!
The Travels with Charlie Edgerton's Group Travel trip to Colonial Williamsburg included a wonderful morning and early afternoon at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. We drove down on the motorcoach Thursday morning and spent the night at a charming hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN. Edgerton's had arranged a Welcome Dinner that was tremendous. The meal was very good and the bananna pudding pie afterwards was "wooo mercy gooood."
Then, Friday morning, we got up and had a beautiful drive through the mountains to Asheville, NC. We arrived at the Biltmore Estate about 9:45 AM. Tour Manager Sherrill Lee had everything arranged so well! We got off the motor coach and had several hours at the Estate. Biltmore is the largest home in America. It was built from 1888 to 1895 by George Vanderbilt, the son of the "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt. The elder Vanderbilt had built the family fortune in shipping and railroading. He had over 200 million dollars. "Goooooood gracious alive," as my Uncle Everett would say.
The Bilmore Estate is stunning. You drive a winding country round which builds up anticipation. Then....there it is!! It has over 175,000 square feet inside, which is bigger than 88 average sized homes. To see the Biltmore at Christmas is extra special. There is one live Christmas tree in the Dining Room over 30 feet tall! Our Edgerton's travellers went all over the Estate. It is breathtaking. I made a short trek down to the greenhouse and all over the grounds. The weather was sunny but a bit chilly and windy. The gift shops are very nice at Biltmore.
Edgerton's arranged for us to have a meal at the Deer Park restaurant on the grounds. The buffet was a big hit. Turkey, fresh vegetables, pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, the motor coach couldn't make it up the hill after we all got on it after eating (!). Edgerton's also stops at the Biltmore during the annual group travel trip to Charleston and Savannah. Contact your local Edgerton's office for more details.
When then made the drive to Colonial Williamsburg. We played a DVD of the history of the Bilmore Estate, sang Christmas carols, and had a joy filled time on the highway. Motorcoach driver Gary was the consumate professional as always, and also very funny! I shared inspirational stories along the way and some video clips of inspirational people I covered in TV News.
Saturday Dec 13, 2009 - The Edgerton's Travels with Charlie group was up early for breakfast at the Woodlands Williamsburg Hotel that Edgerton's has us staying at for three nights here. It is within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg. As a group, we went over to the nearby Visitor's Center - which is a must-see - and got on a Shuttle Bus for the short trip over. Edgerton's had arranged two guides who knew a great deal about the local history.
We started in the Capitol where several of our travellers took part in a trial. Our people were jury, prosecuting attorney and the "accused!" We went to House of Burgesses where several of our people played the role of Burgesses proclaiming that we must seek independence!
We went to the Public Gaol (Jail) and saw where they stuck the folks that stole horses and such. One stolen horse and that could lead to a hanging just a few weeks later.
We then journeyed down the Duke of Gloucester Street. We were fascinated by all that was going on. Patrick Henry stood outside a shop and gave a stirring speech! We went into blacksmiths shops where they were hard at work. We came upon an auction. Horse drawn carriages came by. It truly felt like we were back in the 18th century.
For lunch many of the Edgerton's travellers went to Merchants Square near the college of William and Mary. The shopping there was outstanding.
I spent a great deal of time taping the DVD that every traveler receives at the Reunion Party at my home a few weeks after each trip. I try to make the DVD's entertaining and filled with history. Basically, my goal is to capture the sights and sounds of the trip, so when it is viewed it is like going back on the trip again. People enjoy playing the DVD for their friends and family.
Travellers had a lot of free time. We then gathered at the King's Arm Tavern where Edgerton's had arranged a group meal. We went into candlelit rooms and had soup, chicken, veggies and Rice Pudding and Pecan Pie that was "mercy good!" Entertainers came into our room and played instruments for us. Outside, a drum and fife corp came marching down the streeet as fires blazed to illuminate them against the full moon sky. I got goosebumps.
Tour Manager Sherrill Lee then guided us back over to the Capitol Building for evening for the 18th century holiday event of the season. We saw elegant dancing - and some of our travellers took part in it - as well as a hilarious Puppet Play and a group of men who sang colonial songs to us.
What a day! What a trip! Biltmore! Colonial Williamsburg! The famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel and more to come!
Sunday Dec 14th saw God give us a glorious day here in Colonial Williamsburg. Saturday was very chilly for much of the day because of the wind. Today was a different story. A nice sweater and a light jacket and we were set to explore. Edgerton's travellers had much of the day to venture around Williamsburg. You need a lot of time to see the history.
Several folks attended Sunday morning Church at the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church right on Duke of Gloucester Church in Colonial Williamsburg. People have been worshipping in this building since 1715. Our people sat in the same area that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry sat back in the 18th century.
Around 10 am, George Washington came out in front of Raleigh Tavern and inspired us all with a 45 minute passionate speech on the unfair taxes Parliament has imposed upon us all. The man playing the character of Washington was very good. He took questions from the audience on the street. These are the kind of things you experience up and down the streets of Williamsburg.
Edgerton's travellers went into all kinds of buildings. Printing shops. Wig shops. Fabric shops. In each one of them was a person to explain about life back before the Revolutionary War. Several folks took rides in horse drawn carriages.
Merchant's Square once again provided many exceptional places to eat. An actor was on hand to perform a stirring rendition of A Christmas Carol. He played all the characters.
In the evening we all met for a hearty meal of stew, turkey, chicken, dressing, green beans, pumpkin soup and pudding and strawberries. Afterwards, we waddled to The Governor's Palace to witness an elegant and festival Ball. We felt like we were back in 1722. Thomas Jefferson used to live here. We were guided to seats where we watched a Ball with actors in costumes true to the period. Twice they asked for volunteers and several of us, including Tour Manager Sherrill Lee, came up to dance. Sherrill looked like a natural for "Dancing with the Stars."
I spent a lot of the day working on the DVD that every travellers receives at the Reunion Party. Williamsburg has been a remarkable experience. You can contact your local Edgerton's office for information on future trips to Williamsburg. Now, we are off to Nashville and the famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel, the Rockettes, and more.
This group travel trip has been remarkable. We started at the Biltmore Estate. We then spent three nights at Colonial Williamsburg. Next, we headed to one of the most incredible hotels in the world - the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. It is the largest convention hotel in the world.
Our motor coach ride over was filled with laughter, conversation and anticipation of the Gaylord expierience. I shared humorous and inspirational stories. We played Christmas music and one of the best movies I have seen in years. It is called "Believe in Me." It reminded us of "Hoosiers." It was so good we were cheering and clapping at the end.
We arrived at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel with much excitement. It is HUGE. It has 2881 rooms and covers 47 acres. A typical bellman there walks 12 miles a day doing his job. Edgerton's had us staying in the Delta part of the Gaylord. There are over 30,000 plants in the Delta area including a river flowing through the center. There are waterfalls and thousands of Christmas lights.
Edgerton's had a dinner ready for us when we arrived. Everyone stared in awe at the magnitude of the Gaylord as we ate together.
The next morning, Wednesday December 10th, we all had breakfast buffet by the indoor river. Everyone had the day to explore. Travellers went to the Hall of Trees area where Christmas trees were decorated to be donated to charity. The ICE exhibit was next door and featured the Grinch display. We all put on parkas because it was 9 degrees inside the exhibit. It was terrific. There was a slide at the end that the grown ups loved. There was also a wonderful Nativity scene carved from ice. It was truly an "ohhhhh" moment.
Some of our folks went on river cruises inside the hotel. They explored and did all sorts of things until 5 pm when we met for the Louise Mandrell Joy to the World Christmas show. Edgerton's got us seats right by the stage. The Gaylord chef prepared a mouth watering meal and then Louise bounded out with more energy than an 8 year old. Remember, she is 54. She opened with "Joy to the World" and sang several other numbers. She came over and shook hands with Edgerton's travellers during her show. She played the fiddle, the drums and the bass. She whirled and twirled as a dancer. It was pure energy for an hour. What a show!
When she was done Edgerton's had a motorcoach waiting to take us to the famous Opryland Country Music Hall to see the Rockettes. They put on an hour and 45 minute show that was mesmerizing. Several of our travellers said it was the highlight of the trip. They could not get over the wooden soldiers, the athleticism of the Rockettes, and the little girl that was dancing. The end Nativity scene was awe inspiring.
As Louise Mandrell said, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel has not wilted before the "politically correct" pressure and has no problem allowing Nativity scenes on their property. Their employees say "Merry Christmas."
It was an experience we will never forget.
The Edgerton's "Travels with Charlie" Colonial Williamsburg trip has been a hit. Contact your local Edgerton's office to see when the next time Edgerton's will go to Colonial Williamsburg.
As host, I will be having everyone over to our home for a Reunion Party in January. Everyone will get a broadcast quaility DVD of the trip that I produced along the way. It will take everyone right back on their trip!
Charlie Adams
Author and Speaker, host of "Travels with Charlie"