There are also activities including classes and lectures. Look them up ahead of time at http://www.wm.edu/muscarelle/ to see what is showing when you are in town.

The Muscarelle Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 (free to members, William and Mary staff, faculty, students).

If you are camping, you might want to start from the Park end since there is a campsite there. While enjoying the beautiful James City County park you can ride your bike over to Jamestown Settlement to see the replica fort and three ships. From there, you can ride your bike along the Colonial Parkway (with cars --- no separate trail) from Jamestown to Williamsburg to Yorktown.

The Kimball was a favorite of John D. Rockefeller when he visited the 'Burg on restoration trips in the 1920s and 1930s. Nearly half a century later, it hadn't changed much and was one of Williamsburg's main movie theaters in the 1960s and early 1970s. By late 20th-century, though, it had been outpaced and left behind by multi-movie cinemas. It was also rather worn to a frazzle, so Colonial Williamsburg launched a plan and received money to renovate the building and revamp the programming.

Today, the Kimball Theatre shows wonderful art films and some popular movies that have staying power due to controversial topics (like Farienheit 911) and not-promoted-at-first acting (as in Little Miss Sunshine) in its handsome period interior. (I love the chandelier.) Unrated films and documentaries are my favorites, as well as beautifully melancholy movies like The Painted Veil.

Movies are shown in the main theatre and in the screening room. Live performances range from Colonial Williamsburg dramas to College of William and Mary student recitals to modern plays to live jazz music. Stop by the theatre to pick up a monthly brochure. There's something for everyone.  

Of the bunch of eateries, the Blue Talon is my favorite. (See www.bluetalonbistro.com.) Decorated in colors that recall Provence, it takes me away to the French countryside and reminds me of the time that my husband and I went to visit his son at Montpelier. Because I like to revel in that feeling, I chose to sit looking into the restaurant. I prefer not to sit all the way in the back because it kills the effect if you have to look out of the windows on a parking lot surrounded by Williamsburgy architecture.

We celebrated my husband's birthday at the Blue Talon Bistro last night --- perfect timing as all bottles of wine were half price! (We had a Cote du Rhone, of course.) Ken had the lamb and I had yellow pepper soup and a goat cheese salad. The same menu is used for lunch and dinner. There are starters, salads, entres, and specials enough and they are designed on the menu in such a way as to keep you coming back time and again without being bored.

After dinner, just to mix it up a bit and make the night longer, we left the Blue Talon without desert. We went across the street to Aroma's (see my previous blog about it) for coffee and shared a slice of raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. (Happy birthday to you ... )

Our $8 tour started with a 10-minute video, which my guests thought was too much like a commercial. I know the winery founder, though, and saw it as quite sincere. He is a big believer in the values our nation's founders proclaimed and he also believes that he is saving what was an old, used-up farm for a "higher purpose." He is an environmentalist, and my hat is off to him for caring for his acreage and promoting a relaxed and quality-focused lifestyle.

The winery tour is as good or better, according to my friends, as any in their home state of Oregon. You visit the cool rooms full of oak barrels and the quaint artifact room. At the tasting, my friends thought the wines were all good and some got a knowing nod and a "very good!" They were a little uncertain about the fruit/wine mix, but my taste of raspberry juice merlot just cried out for a taste of Death by Chocolate cake! Sounds like something I'll have to come back to buy for an anniversary.

I've eaten at Gabriel Archer's Tavern, a restaurant located steps from the winery operation, on previous occasions and it deserves 4 to 4 1/2 stars. The food is quite good and the ambience is superior and very romantic. An Inn will be opening on the property in 2008. 

Definitely put a visit to the Williamsburg Winery on your to-do list when next visiting Williamsburg! 

The owner and I have known each other for thirty years, since our College of William and Mary days. She is an adept businesswoman who knows how to run a "pool hall" with none of the characteristics you might think it would have. The "joint" is as clean and well-groomed as any other family restaurant on the order of chains like Ruby Tuesday's. (As in nice but it can get unpleasantly loud and smokey.) See what I mean at their website: www.thecornerpocket.us. One third is dining area, one third is bar, and one third is pool tables. Outdoor dining wraps around two sides.

The Corner Pocket is a favorite of locals whether they are out to eat or play pool or both. Although I love the New Town location, the dinner and pool combo, and the owner, I wish the menu were better. It's okay. My husband loves the Jambalaya. However, as a vegetarian, I find nothing of interest. There is usually one vegetarian option, but not a good one. (Sorry Lynn. Lighten up on the meat.)

The Corner Pocket often features live music on weekends and it is an especially good place to go for Mardi Gras. One of the owner's favorite performers is Marcia Ball.

Coffee, they've got it. I'm a regular coffee with cream person (their house blend has been painstakingly perfected!), but there are lots and lots of options in brews, flavors and specialty coffee drinks. Try the Snickers Latte for a sugar high or a Tribe Mocha for a great latte with chocolate overtones. There are teas, hot chocolate, cold drinks and seasonal drinks.

For lunch or dinner Aromas serves sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Tapas and light dinner are available after 5 p.m. Fondues and desserts are another tempting option at Aromas. The menu is as interesting as the artwork: local artists show their stuff and Aromas owners have a fun flair with color and accessories that has turned the old building into something new and fun.

Located on Prince George Street in the heart of Williamsburg, Aromas is one of several locally owned and eclectic shops along the street. Sit outside and people watch. Be sure to check out the flyers posted on the windows and walls for upcoming musical acts, from klezmer to jazz to rock.

Now, on to restaurants! So, Jamestown isn't a town: the choices are slim. That said, the choices are good! If you don't want to eat at the historic sites, get in your car and get on Jamestown Road toward Williamsburg. Less than a mile from Jamestown on your right you'll find James River Pie Company first, then Carrot Tree Kitchen.

The James River Pie Company sign is illustrated with a PIE, as is apple or pecan, but they are also known for their PIE, as in pepperoni and sausage. The company changed hands about 2006, and although it's not as "homemade" as it used to be, the service is much, much, much faster. They have kept the old owner's great menu of specialty pizza combinations, thank goodness, so the choices are great. You can eat your pizza outside on a picnic table. Order a Southern Pecan Pie to take home.

At the Carrot Tree Kitchen, you can eat your lunch inside in rooms decorated with all things carrot. Lunches are light and the salads are my favorite. There's wild rice and asparagus, carrot salad, pasta salads, and others. The desserts are the house specialty! The Carrot Cake is to die for so be prepared to order one to go.

Recent performers have been favorites of ours. My husband discovered Susan Greenbaum's (www.susangreenbaum.com) strong vocals and liked her musical ability. Susan's husband plays percussion. Sometimes we've seen just the two of them and other times they've performed with their band.  I tend toward bluegrass and The Gurleys (http://billandpamgurley.com) are just my cup of tea. Bill plays the guitar, banjo, violin, and other stringed insturments. Pam has a terrific voice. Their daughter, Megan, is playing bass and singing with them now.

If you're in Williamsburg and want to find the WUU Church (which is just off of Route 5 and thus the series name), follow Jamestown Road out of town toward Jamestown. Just past the Carrot Tree Kitchen (on the left) is a stoplight and T-intersection with Sandy Bay Rd. Turn right and the WUU is about a mile up the road on your left. If you get to the intersection with Route 5 you've gone too far, so turn around and come back!

So, may we recommend the cheese? While you're tasting and picking one, grab a bag of bread ends and some house dressing. But if you're there for lunch, I'll make another recommendation ... or two. My favorite used to be smoked turkey and provalone with sprouts on whole wheat. The Cheese Shop uses French loaves cut on an angle to make a perfectly sized sandwich. (The bread ends mention above are the ends of the french loaves that can't be made into sandwiches.) Unless you ask, all sandwiches come with house dressing. (The house dressing is a secret recipe stirred together by Mr. Power himself every morning --- mayo, but not too greasy, with mustard, but not too sour, and spices, but not too hot.) There are all of the usually types of meat and cheese, but of the best variety, of course. Cheese Shop of Williamsburg sandwiches do no come with lettuce and tomato. PULEASE! You can ask for watercress or sprouts. My favorite sandwich these days (I became a vegetarian about 3 years ago) is a Veggie. The veggie mix is flavored with a delicious sweet and spicy oil and vinegar sauce. I get mine with cheese and it is served on foccacia bread.

CALL AHEAD! 757-220-0298. There is always, always a line. But they are fast, so don't don't go because I told you this little secret. Take the extra time to look at the other package foods lovingly chosen by the Powers and tastefully display for you. Or visit the wine cellar. Always something new and they know what to recommend. If you're in a big hurry, there's always the salad case. I'm a big fan of the spanich orzo salad. The also sell the small hunks of cheese that result from selling through most of the larger wheel at a low, low price. Grab a piece to have with your house dressing and bread ends.