Trip to Jamestown: Finally Jamestown

Thursday, June 14, 2007 It was thrilling to finally be in the place we had studied so much. We enjoyed the day, and had time during the morning to retrieve the smallish-type Nisbetts from the campground for a portion of the day.

Adam's favorite memory of the whole trip was watching 14 people try to inconspicuously gather under the Magna Carta tree to meet Jack. He enjoyed the many creative ways everyone used to mask their real intentions, while pretending not to notice one another. One person was examining the sidewalk, anything with wording seemed to be a great comfort to those who chose to read small signs over and over, several were watching the horizon intently, and the herb garden was of great interest to others. When the appointed hour (11:30a.m.) finally came, a mass convergence upon the tree occurred. It is amazing how terribly conspicuous 14 people standing nonchalantly under a tree can be!

We were disappointed in our own performance that day, missing several clues the first time around. We considered too long on whether to send in a clue that didn't fit the blanks, and spent too much time deliberating which industry was the least successful, combined with which wording was the more grammatical, and therefore probably correct. "I don't think GLASS FURNACES RUIN is the way it should be worded." "WHITE MULBERRY TREE fits perfectly"."But why would it be White?""Silkworms like the white mulberry better, so they imported them rather than use the native red mulberry." "But would they have imported some to Jamestown?""The sign says everyone was required to plant mulberry trees and grape vines.""Hey, GRAPE VINEYARD SIGN fits in the blanks, and the wine making industry failed because the wine didn't keep well on the long trip to England." etc. We went with WHITE MULBERRY TREE, but had 2nd thoughts all evening.

We should have been finished with everything in about an hour and a half, but had used up much of the afternoon. We knew we didn't deserve to advance, but the blessing would be that we could spend more time with the rest of the children and enjoy the events at Fort Pocahontas.