March 21-22, 2019 Smithfield, Surry, Williamsburg, Jamestown,Yorktown

Talk is cheap, ya know?
We have been conversing with these special friends for at least 4 years.
"Please come see us."
"Please come see us."
*****Please people, don't put off your dreams, aspirations, and getting together with friends*****
We knew it was time for a road trip, and we are retired.
........ so....
with a little planning,
a few phone conversations,
and texts...
Welcome to Smithfield!
Our host/hostess with the most-est were Phil and Maye.

We have known this wonderful couple for-EVAH.
Like 25+ years? They have lived in West Virginia, Roanoke, South Carolina, Richmond, and now retired to Smithfield (I say retired lightly, as they never sit still.).Two grown children, grands, still teaching part-time, traveling, golfing, bridge, pickle-ball, writing, active in their church, this super couple is one that we cherish!
After unloading our luggage, we were escorted to various places near their home.
What a beautiful area!
Smithfield is known, of course, for............ THE PIG!

There are pig structures EVERYWHERE!

Would you believe Christmas ornaments?

Not to be confused, the PIG is in reference to the famous Smithfield Ham, which is finish-cured in the town of Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It's hard to visit the area and NOT have a piece of bacon!
Yes, Virginia, the world is fueled with BACON!🐖🐖🐖
Without seeing the whole map before we left Roanoke, I soon realized we were 8 miles away from Chuckatuck. Yep, home of our other good friends, Mike and Lee.... A quick phone call, and bingo.... dinner with lots of laughter, and a few high school memories shared!

Would you believe that these 2 couples belong to the same club (Cedar Point Country Club), and have never met! Bet they will play a few rounds of golf soon!
Our dinner was at the famous Smithfield Station

The next morning, we toured historic Smithfield (did I say that we had BACON for breakfast?)

On our return visit, we will take the Smithfield Walking Tour (👈click on this link to view 64 historic houses, castle, museums, courthouse, Inn, Jail,.... complete with photos! WOW!)
Indeed, we savored the Southern charm of this small-town.... "rich history, picturesque Main Street, and a vibrant arts scene".
Next, we boarded the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. to Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg.

The following photos covered our brief walk in Williamsburg.... indeed history lane!
Some pretty important people did some pretty important things right here!
WHERE AMERICA BEGAN👉👉👉Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown.
Walking on hallowed ground was an understatement!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Before we left Williamsburg, we dined at Sals by Victor.
Desserts to die for:

And of course, a few photos from Yorktown!

Thankful for good friends,
southern hospitality,
great food, and
walks down memory lane!

2019, March 16~ Looney, Sinking Creek, Trenor Graves, Lineage Chart~GENEALOGY

March 14, 2019
Craig County, Virginia.... population 5,190.
Its county seat is New Castle. Founded in 1851.
Driving to Looney is easy access from I81S:
Exit to 311,
Pass McAfee's Knob parking lot,
Pass Dragon's Tooth,
Continue to Catawba,
Abbott,
And then New Castle.
Left on 42
Our destination was on the right.
If you drive past this sign, you've gone too far!👇😃😃😃

Across the street is a building, which used to be a grocery store.
It was MOVED to this spot a few years ago, and sold to my cousin and his wife.
They are renovating!
Our mission for the day was to make sure Cousin Craig did not fall off of the roof while installing apparatus for antennae.

Mission accomplished.
.... and a few laughs while there!
We removed brush as well.

Within walking distance of their modest abode, is the old 2 room Looney Schoolhouse! The school house was in service from 1883 until 1946.

My new friends said hello!

Did I say breath-taking vistas?

We headed 'down the road a piece' to Sinking Creek. 

..........in search of a house.THIS HOUSE 👇👇.Cousin Craig's Dad, and my Dad spent many summers here 👇....somewhere in Sinking Creek.

We are still trying to confirm this exact location, but there is a strong possibility, that 40-50 yrs later, and a few additions later, that this is the house today!👇👇

I remember my Dad and Uncle Craig telling me stories of their bicycle excursions! Whoa!, Yes, riding their bicycles from Roanoke to Newcastle and Lynchburg!

Directly across the road from the house pictured above, is the "Trenor" Cemetery.
My paternal grandmother was Laura Effie TRENOR Hamilton.
Thus the assumption that 'this ole house' COULD HAVE BEEN A TRENOR HOUSE!
My grandmother is not buried here, but many of  her relatives have their resting place in this historic cemetery.

Many markers were not engraved..... as was the case in the Crown Hill Cemetery in Clifton Forge, Va. If you missed that post, click here 👉 The Hunt is Real #2

Below is the lineage chart...... from wince I came 💓

Our Looney and Sinking Creek adventure was complete, but we will probably be returning to confirm a house siting. If you know the area, you know that
EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE,
WHO KNOWS SOMEONE,
WHO IS RELATED TO SOMEONE,
WHO MARRIED SOMEONE. 😊😊😊
And you can bet your last dollar that these two 👇👇will get to the bottom of this, right Cuz?