Sisters on the Fly Land at Williamsburg KOA

Members of Sisters on the Fly, a national outdoor adventure group for women, met and stayed at the Williamsburg KOA the first weekend in December. They came from as far away as Austin, Texas and as close as our backyard of Williamsburg. They came in all ages and from all walks of life. They came in different size campers and also stayed in lodges. The one thing they all had in common, they came together for one glorious weekend to bond with other “Sisters on the Fly”.

Sisters on the Fly was formed in 1999 by two sisters while fishing in Montana. The concept of bringing other women together for fun in the outdoors grew into the present day organization. Today over 8,000 members periodically get together throughout the United States for a wide variety of outdoor activities. The only rules are “No men, no kids, be nice, and have fun.” For their time in Williamsburg, the Sisters took part in the annual Williamsburg Christmas Parade along with other activities in and around Colonial Williamsburg.

I had a chance to talk with Kathy Miller, one of the Sisters. Kathy has been a member for two years now and says it is lots of fun. She is from Southwest Virginia and although she goes camping with her own family, this is “her time” to meet old and new friends and share some laughs. Her favorite activity with her fellow sisters is sitting around a campfire sharing precious conversation. To quote Kathy on her stay at Williamsburg KOA with the Sisters on the Fly, “I do love it!”

So, if you are a woman that loves outdoor adventures with other women, think about joining Sisters on the Fly. For more information visit their website: https://www.sistersonthefly.com. And if you love camping and having fun, come spend some time with us at Williamsburg KOA!

Proud Hosts of the Freedom Hunters for 9 Years

 

For the 9th year in a row, we were extremely proud to welcome the Freedom Hunters to the campground in November. Freedom Hunters is a nonprofit military outreach program dedicated to honoring the men and women of our Armed Services by connecting them with outdoor adventures. The organization works to boost morale, lift spirits, and offer healing to soldiers returning home, families of those deployed, Gold Star families, and wounded warriors through hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

Every year, the Freedom Hunters hosts a hunt in the local area. After a long day in the woods, the hunters return to the campground to enjoy a full hookup camping site for their RV or the comfort of one of our cabins. 

A typical adventure begins here in our pavilion. 

On the night the hunters arrive at the campground, the group gathers to discuss the upcoming hunt, but also to swap stories and share in the camaraderie of fellow soldiers.

The next morning, they enjoy breakfast before the sun rises and head to York River State Park for the hunt. Here you can see them at the safety briefing before heading out into the field.

The group had a great time this year. Several deer were harvested and have since graced many tables providing a delicious meal for the hunters involved.

Talking with individuals after the hunt, however, the real prize was time together with family and friends in the great outdoors.

This program is very important to veterans, active military, and their families. It gives those who fight for our liberties a chance to enjoy what some of us take for granted.

In the words of one of the group staff, the importance “for these Active Duty and Retired Veterans to be able to reconnect with fellow military people and enjoy the outdoors that God created is immeasurable.” 

The owners and staff here at Williamsburg KOA want to personally thank all of our military personnel and their families for their commitment and sacrifice in service to our nation. It is our absolute pleasure to be involved with an important organization like Freedom Hunters. Please take the time to do something special for our veterans, active military, and their families during this Holiday Season.

To learn more about Freedom Hunters and their mission please visit https://freedomhunters.org/

Merry Christmas Camping

Perhaps you are much like us here at Williamsburg KOA. The idea of camping during the holidays simply tickles your fancy.

Whether you chose to camp this holiday with a handful of immediate family. Or the whole family, included Grandma, Grandpa, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, and Nephews!

This is sure to be an exciting and special Christmas. The more people the better of course!

Bringing more people not only means more supplies, but more holiday cheer of course! The kids can play with their cousins, while the adults indulge in deep conversation and drinks.

Having more people means more supplies. It means some members of the family are camping, some have trailers or RV’s.

Some family members have special supplies, like Side-by-Sides, ATV’s, dirt bikes. Maybe Grandpa has a fancy traveling BBQ, or other great camping cooking supply!

Between the whole family, you will be set on plenty of cooking supplies for the trip. Which means more space to cook your large holiday meals!

Perhaps uncle Benny has a horse shoe set he brought? Don’t forget to pack up the corn hole game for the whole family to enjoy!

• Let us forget the past and start anew,
  wishing to see you this Christmas!

Celebrate Veterans Day in Virginia

The men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country are honored on the National Veteran’s Day holiday, since President Woodrow Wilson dedicated November 11 as Armistice Day in 1919.

Armistice Day became a legal Federal holiday in 1938, and in 1954 changed to Veteran’s Day to honor American soldiers who fought in any war, not just World War I and II. There are now ceremonies and parades held across the country to commemorate the holiday, including those in cities all across Virginia.

Check https://www.vetfriends.org/ for more celebrations taking place across Virginia. Visit https://virginiacampgrounds.com/ to find RV camping or cabin rentals nearby any of these celebrations and find more news and events for Virginia Campgrounds.

Start an RV Thanksgiving Tradition

Wanting to switch up your traditional Thanksgiving festivities? This could be your best decision yet! Camping and Thanksgiving just naturally go together. It’s as simple as that. From the beautiful Scenery and relaxing aura, to the family feasts and the most important thing to remember- Feeling thankful and giving thanks. Thanksgiving camping is an awesome way to enjoy this year’s holiday to its fullest!

Thanksgiving Camping Ideas with The Kids:

While Moms busy preparing dinner why not entertain the kids with a few thanksgiving themed campsite activities to get them in the spirit?

Here’s a few awesome ideas for camping activity ideas brought to you by Creative Youth Ideas.

Pumpkin Seed Toss

Need a carnival game for Thanksgiving? Participants toss a Bean Bag into the opening of a pumpkin to win prizes in this Thanksgiving themed game. It also includes a small devotional on either “Goals” or “Wholesome speech”

Thanksgiving Bingo

In this Thanksgiving themed variation of “Bingo”, the first person to get all of a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally yells out “Gobble, Gobble, Gobble”

Cluck, Cluck, Gobble

This Thanksgiving party game is played similar to the classic children’s game “Duck, Duck, Goose” but with some variations to make it a little more sophisticated for youth and adapt it to the Thanksgiving theme.

Another fun and easy thing to do with the kids is bird watching. All you need is a pair of eyes and some binoculars. Super easy yet fun for the whole family.

Last Minute DIY #HalloweenCostumes

Are you excited for Halloween but does the question: “What should I be for this Halloween?!” pop up in your mind every time you think about it? No stress!

If you’ve waited until the very last moment and you need your costume within a few hours and the stores are closed already, there’s no other option than being creative. But don’t be sad. It’s fun and the possibilities are endless. Just dive into your wardrobe, (or your father’s, mother’s, brother’s, sister’s,) and you’ll find something useful; I promise. For example, use an umbrella and crepe paper to make a jelly fish costume. Or use a cap, a ball and blue dungarees to dress as your Pokemon trainer. Another fun option: grab a striped t-shirt, white gloves and some make-up and you instantly look like a pantomimist. Easy and fun, right? So, you’re sure to make the best of your Halloween this year!

Why Thanksgiving Camping Is The New Favorite Thing:

Some families may wonder why anyone would want to go camping, on a holiday? Aren’t you supposed to be home and tucked in for the day on Thanksgiving or Christmas? 

Here are 3 great reasons to go camping on Thanksgiving.

1.      Time to slow down. Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day we take into account all of the things we have to be thankful for. We slow down our schedules and our commitments, and we just relax together. Whether it’s football, a card game or telling embarrassing family stories that gather us around the table. Camping is the perfect way to gather everyone together and focus on what’s most important in life! 

2.      Family Time! If you’re like any average family, you may find it challenging to get in a word between TV and texting. Getting your gang outdoors and away from all the distractions is a great idea! Go outside in the fresh air to toss a football, go hiking, or tease each other with old tales, is a fun way to connect with your family and closest friends.

3.      Shortened Meal Prep. This could be one of the best reasons of all! Everyone knows how long it takes to prepare the traditional Thanksgiving meal! From desserts to favorite sides, and homemade bread, the work is astounding. Then the cleanup lasts for hours. Campfire meal prep for Thanksgiving ensures a drastically reduced meal prep time and clean up time while still allowing for post-turkey napping and football, live of course.

Do something different this Thanksgiving, Go Camping at Williamsburg KOA!

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens

Every fall, the idyllic promenades of Busch Gardens transform into alleyways of fright. You'll probably want to bring a friend or two - and keep them close - when you enter the park during Howl-O-Scream. Once the sun goes down, the ghouls come out. Lurking around the park are all kinds of creatures whose sole job is to scare you! 

There are six dedicated scare zones across the park, each with their own dedicated theme. In those zones you'll have the chance to explore any of six haunted houses with names like "Demented Dimensions" or "Circo Sinistro." In addition to all this, you can check out live music shows or try your luck in one of two escape rooms. For those perhaps not so keen on the jump-scares but still wanting to celebrate the spirit of the holiday, the park offers more mild experiences during the daytime. All the friendly attractions for your younger ghouls and goblins are open until 5 PM. Howl-O-Scream begins on September 14th and runs until October 27th. 

Go Hiking....it's Cheaper than Therapy!

Hiking is one of America's favorite outdoor pastimes, and why wouldn't it be? With all of the beautiful things in nature, hiking is great for exercising both mind and body. Studies have shown that spending time in the Great Outdoors can improve blood pressure, improve mental health, and decrease the risk of cancer. So don't sit around this month, come on down to Williamsburg KOA, where we have miles of gorgeous wooded hiking trails, and the York River State Park right in our backyard!

The York River State Park has a unique ecosystem where salt and freshwater meet. The Taskinas Creek has some nice freshwater fishing for sunfish and largemouth bass. The park also has salt water fishing off of their 360 foot pier along with a nice boat dock. Croaker, spot, and catfish can be caught in the York River. The park has over 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails for you to explore. Whether you want an easy relaxed walk or a challenging hike, the York River State Park has what you are looking for.

Take some binoculars along and keep a look out for the national bird, the bald eagle. There are also many local and migratory birds that can be spotted along your hike by river or in the woods. Maybe you'll see an elusive Pileated woodpecker or a beautiful wood duck on your walk. Some common mammals you may see, could be the perky gray squirrel or an adorable cottontail rabbit. The outdoors can offer many opportunities for bird watching, healthy exercising, or just some peace and quiet, all available at the Williamsburg KOA!

Where the Locals Go

Everyone knows of Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and the rest of the Historic Triangle, but every place has its secret spots; its little-knowns and much-beloveds. These are some of those places as told by a few members of our staff.

A Meal at Food for Thought
Food for Thought is a restaurant on Richmond Road. I heard of it first when I began working at the KOA in 2011, but I would not eat there until two years later. As fate would have it, that first meal was my first date with my now wife. It has become a tradition of ours to eat at Food for Thought every year on the same day, and plenty of times in between. It is easily our favorite restaurant in Williamsburg. The food is great. They serve great steak, crab cakes, breaded flounder, pot roast, along with daily specials. The staff is impeccable and the atmosphere is always a treat. Posters of famous thinkers and inventors adorn the walls along with quotes from philosophers, authors, and leaders throughout history. Each table has bits of trivia and conversation starters to keep each meal interesting. We'll sometimes spend hours just sitting and talking while enjoying our meals. We always take friends and family when they come into town.

--Robb, Assistant Manager

Picnic at Colonial Williamsburg
Relax and soak in the beautiful surroundings at Colonial Williamsburg. It's nice to go there on a beautiful day just to enjoy the surroundings. My favorite thing to do is get lunch from the Cheese Shop, located in Merchants Square, and have a picnic on the Courthouse Green or Palace Green. There's nothing better than sitting out on the grass and just enjoying the fresh air and sunshine and spending time with loved ones.

--Kendall, Office Assistant

A Trip to New Town
I love going to New Town to walk around in the afternoon. There is such a variety of restaurants and shops that you have tons of options on what to do. They will often on the weekends have different types of entertainment which is really fun to check out. They also have small parks where you can relax while being surrounded by nature. You can grab some dinner at Opus 9, then head over to Sweet Frog for some frozen yogurt, catch a movie at the New Town Theater, or read a book and relax at the Barnes and Noble. There really is something for everyone there.

--Jonathan, Front Desk

Kayaking at York River State Park
York River State Park is by far my favorite place to kayak. It's a winding river, which is different then most of the other places around here, where you kayak in a lake.  I like to go at low tide and watch the river rise. Its such a quiet atmosphere and very scenic. There is a lot of wildlife to check out as well, I've seen otters, eagles and osprey along the river. The park also has some of the best hiking trails in the area.

--Peter, Assistant Manager

Care Camps Weekend Returns for 2019!

Camping is an experience that everyone should have a chance to experience. It's something young and old alike can enjoy, with activities and adventures that can relax, inspire, and create new and lasting memories. With KOA's Care Camps program, KOA ensures that children with cancer have a chance to experience all of those adventures and more without costing their families a dime.

The on-site medical facilities are staffed by caring professionals who are ready to administer any needed treatments, while camp counselors have undergone extensive training to be able to assist the kids with their unique needs. The majority of these staff members are volunteers in order to cover costs and to make sure the donations are used to give the kids a great camping experience.

Throughout their stay, kids get to choose from a plethora of activities including kayaking, paint races, and shaving cream fights. They also get the chance to experience some traditional camping activities like roasting s'mores and telling stories around the campfire. The Care Camps foundation works to make children's wildest camping dreams come true year after year.

Throughout the month of May, we are celebrating KOA Care Camps and donating to the cause in a couple of special ways. On May 10th - May 12th, we are participating in KOA Care Camps Big Weekend. Guests staying on Friday May 10th, receive Saturday May 11th for $20. Every $20 charge goes straight to KOA Care Camps! Get another chance to donate every Saturday in May and throughout the year at our weekly Charity Pancake Breakfast. Pancakes are free and money from drinks and coffee, along with any additional donations, are given to KOA Care Camps. So join us once again this year in our support for KOA Care Camps and give kids with cancer the chance to just be kids for a weekend.

Easter Weekend is a Blast at Williamsburg KOA!

Easter is just around the corner and the Williamsburg KOA has a lot planned for the weekend! Join us for the first taste of spring on our beautiful 180-acre campground. Easter is a time to celebrate life. What better way to celebrate than by going camping with friends and family after a cold winter? Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt, and expect a visit from the Easter Bunny! We'll also be having a visit from the Teeny Tiny Farm Petting Zoo and more this weekend, so make your reservation today.

As if that isn't enough fun for your spring getaway, don't forget about what's happening in Williamsburg. Busch Gardens is open for Spring Break and filled with the best coasters, food, and shows in the state! Busch Gardens is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beloved children's program by welcoming the Sesame Street Gang for extra fun for the little ones every weekend in April. Shake off the bitter cold of winter this month and throw yourself into a family vacation you'll never forget!

By staying at the Williamsburg KOA, you have easy access to tickets to Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown! Select discounted tickets are available. Check out our website for more details on ticket pricing, or stop by the campground General Store.

A Sesame Street Spring at Busch Gardens

As the trees turn green, the flowers bloom, and the birds start singing, the Sesame Street gang is getting ready for a party over at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. In April, visit your favorite Sesame Street characters during Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Kids Weekends, with a special show, Let’s Play Together!, to celebrate their 50^th Anniversary.

            With over 50 years of experience creating fun and great memories, the Sesame Street gang knows how to have a great time. Enjoy story time on the stoop on 123 Sesame Street every weekend along with visits from some of your favorite characters.

 On April 5^th-7^th, join Rosita for singing and dancing while learning some Spanish along the way! Enjoy fun crafts and activities too all weekend long.

On April 12^th-14^th, let your imagination fly high with a visit from Super Grover! Enjoy exclusive activities like paper bag puppet fun as well as creating some of your own art for the Magic of Art Wall.

On April 19^th-21^st, satisfy your cookie cravings with a visit from the big, blue fur-ball we all know and love, Cookie Monster! Make your own cookies and enjoy a cookie scavenger hunt across the Forest of Fun this weekend and make your wildest cookie dreams a reality!

On April 26^th-28^th, take a trip to Elmo’s World for a visit with everyone’s favorite red monster! Add your personal art creation to the Magic Wall of Art, and enjoy other exclusive activities like card-making and some finger puppet fun.

While the little ones enjoy a Sesame Street celebration, the older kids and adults can still enjoy the best shows, food, and rides that Busch Gardens has to offer. Make sure to check out shows like Oktoberzest and Celtic Fyre and classic rides like the mythical Griffon, along with newer attractions like the VR ride, Battle for Eire.

Be sure to stop by our camp store at the Williamsburg KOA to get your tickets before you head to the park. We have One-Day Tickets for adults and kids for $69.99, Two-Day Tickets for $74.99, and Three-Day Tickets for $84.99! Check out these and other great deals at our camp store.

Happy Labor Day From All of Us at KOA!

Happy Labor Day from the Williamsburg KOA! The first Labor day was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City as a public parade of labor organizations. It was made a public holiday in 30 states over the next 12 years and was recognized as an official federal holiday in 1894 to be celebrated on the first Monday of September. Labor Day is a celebration and dedication to all the American workers and what they have achieved socially and economically through the years.

Come and celebrate this holiday with the Williamsburg KOA. There will be family friendly fun and games and weekend. While you are here you can take trip through the ages at Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, or the Yorktown Victory Center. Colonial Williamsburg offers many interactive demonstrations of historical events and the great food is a bonus. If you are looking for something a little more thrilling, spend the day at Busch Gardens! The roller coasters will leave you breathless and the spectacular shows will have you talking all day.

Celebrate Labor Day with us at the Williamsburg KOA!

Preparing to Camp with your Pets

If there is one human activity dogs were made for it is camping.  All the new smells, long leisurely walks, sitting by the campfire;  but what can be done to best prepare for our dogs?  Keep reading for some ideas to make camping with your dog a great experience for all!

1.  Proper dog walking equipment. This would be a collar/harness and a leash. The leash should ideally be no more than 6 ft,  leave your retractable leash at home for this trip. Due to the close proximity of one camp site to another retractable leashes pose a serious threat to both dog and human. Dogs could run out in front of vehicles, get into altercations with people or other dogs, or wrap the leash around your legs and cause injury.

2. Proof of rabies vaccination.  While you probably won't be required to show this upon check-in, it should be with you. Most campgrounds are located in rural settings and there will most likely be wild animals hanging around the campgrounds. Raccoons, skunks, foxes etc all carry rabies. Save yourself and your pet from expensive quarantine requirements should they become involved in a dog to dog fight, bite a human, or tangle with a wild animal.

3.  Bring some sort of outdoor restraint.  Many people bring portable dog pens, or a "tie-out" that can be attached to something sturdy. This way your dog can hang out with you outside without risk of wandering off. Along this line however, never leave your dog unattended while outside. Most campgrounds specifically address this in their Campground Rules and Regulations. Nuisance barking and temperature related stress for your dog can result from being left alone outside.

4.  Bring along toys/comfort items. Your furry family member may prefer your bed for sleeping, but if not, bring along his/her dog bed. Are you planning on going places your dog would not be welcomed, or would be too stressed to attend? Consider boredom toys. An example of this would be a Kong cone filled with peanut butter and frozen, or a puzzle ball filled with treats. This should keep most dogs happy for quite awhile. You can also inquire about local pet-sitting companies, they will come and walk/play with your dog while you are gone.

5.  Bring the same dog food you usually feed. Now is not the time to try something new, including  treats.  If your dog has never had peanut butter then fill your Kong with familiar treats. And, if you have a dog with a sensitive stomach you might bring a gallon or more of water from home too.  A dog with GI distress can certainly hinder your fun. 

Many RV'rs will tell you they bought their RV specifically to bring their dogs on vacation with them.  But, dogs are not the only animal you may find camping. Cats, especially those trained to walk on a leash, exotic birds such as Parrots or Cockatiels, or leash trained Ferrets have been known to enjoy a weekend of camping. There are campgrounds for equestrians with stalls available.  Whether you have a tent or a state of the art Motor Coach, camping with your furry friend  makes the experience that much more enjoyable for everyone!

Care Camp Weekend Event!

Camping is a great way to relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. Children with cancer face stresses and challenges that few of us can imagine, so what better way to relax than a camping trip!

This month, we are celebrating and donating to the KOA Care Camps foundation, a charity created by KOA to take children with cancer camping across the United States. These Care Camps are staffed by volunteers, nurses, and medical personal who create a safe camping environment where the kids can build new friendships, embrace the great outdoors, and spend time making great memories. The full camping experience is also provided free of charge, as the donations and contributions from campgrounds and donors along with the efforts of volunteers cover all of the costs.

The KOA Care Camps not only provide a safe place to camp, they also strive to give kids the best camping experience ever. Activities like kayaking, shaving cream fights, and paint races take place alongside campground classics like telling stories around the campfire and making s'mores. The Care Camps foundation works to make children's wildest camping dreams come true year after year.

On the weekend of May 11-13th, we are giving campers Saturday night for $20, with all of the profits from those Saturday's going straight to Care Camps. All of the proceeds from our Charity Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning are also going directly to Care Camps. So join us this year in our support for KOA Care Camps and help kids with cancer just be kids for a weekend.

KOA Camping and Social Media: An Experience for All to Share

Camping with us at Williamsburg KOA is more than just a typical camping trip, it's an experience. It's taking your child on their first outdoor excursion and watching their face light up as they toast their first marshmallow. It's celebrating a weekend getaway or anniversary with your significant other within all the beauty of nature and all the comfort of home. It's getting back in touch with your roots whether it be in a rustic cabin or tent, or connecting with the revolutionary and colonial activities in the area. Camping with Williamsburg KOA is bound to create some memories and what better way to help preserve those memories than through the use of technology.

Camping and friendship go together almost as well as chocolate and marshmallows. At KOA, we offer complimentary wi-fi to our campers so that your Facebook friends are able to enjoy your presence while you partake in all the presents nature can give you.

Apps like Instagram and Facebook provide campers with a great and useful space to not only post pictures and memories, but organize, modify, and store them. Social media platforms allow campers a way to access a larger audience and share their camping experience with the world. Whether you want to save your experience with KOA for your own enjoyment or broadcast what a crafty camper you are to the world, doing so through social media is sure to make the memories meaningful and long lasting. These memories are special moments that tell a story, and we encourage you to share your story with us.

Traditionally camping has been a way for family and friends to get away from the daily stresses of modern life, escape from schedules, and connect with one another. Here at the Williamsburg KOA, we have events to entertain the whole family in the hopes to bring families together, and foster new friendships with fellow campers.

Camping with KOA is an experience the whole family can enjoy. Whether you are outdoorsy or indoorsy, we have a list of amenities that is sure to make your stay enjoyable. There are many activities sure to keep the children happy and the parents even happier! Whether you are a camping traditionalist, who enjoys a good campfire story, or a modern day movie-goer, looking to watch a film under the stars, camping with us is sure to be an enjoyable experience, and one worth sharing.

Baked Oatmeal: A Winter Morning Treat

   

Breakfast has never been a more important meal than on a cold winter's morning. A good hearty breakfast can wake and warm you up while getting you prepped for the day ahead. One of my family's favorite breakfast recipes is baked oatmeal. It's a favorite partially because it is warm, easily reheatable, and easy to make, but also because it easy to customize with different flavors and ingredients. Even in its most basic form, baked oatmeal is a breakfast treat that will give you a warm start to a cold winter's day.

Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients:

3 cups Quaker's Quick Oats

3/4 cup sugar, white or brown

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup oil

1 cup milk

2 eggs, beaten

Prep:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees °F. Combine quick oats, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. In a separate bowl, combine oil, milk, and beaten eggs together. Mix bowls together and stir until blended. Pour into greased 9-by-9 in. baking pan. place on middle oven rack.

Cooking Time:

Bake for 35-40 mins. Let it cool for 5-10 mins. Serve in bowl with milk and cinnamon sugar.

There are many ways you can alter this standard recipe to suit your tastes. You could add a 1/2 cup of raisins, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or other dried fruits to give it added flavor. You could also add a 1/2 cup of whole oats if you want it to be heartier. Feel free to customize after it's out of the oven too. You can serve it with fresh fruit, yogurt, or extra nuts added to your liking. Baked oatmeal is the blank slate upon which you can create your favorite breakfast combination. All you have to do is try it out.

Happy eating!

Light, Lights, and More Lights

Lights, Lights and more Lights....Oh my!

If you like Christmas lights there are many cities across the US that have beautiful displays. From the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between you can see millions of lights of all types.

Christmas traditions in the US were brought by immigrants from around the world.  A tree inside the house began in Germany in the 16th century along with the entwining of branches to form a circle symbolizing God's eternal love. As Germans migrated to the US, they brought these traditions with them. In 1882 a friend of Thomas Edison strung some lights around his tree, but it would take until after 1930, when America's general population got electricity, for the tradition to become popular.  Before that trees were decorated with candles and holly.  Wreaths are now accepted to symbolize the unending cycle of life and symbols of victory and honor.  From Mexico came the tradition of Poinsettias in and out of the home.  They are called "flower of the Holy Night" because the red bracts are suppose to represent the Star of Bethlehem.

Since then the tradition to string lights everywhere has extended to the outdoors.  From a few lights around the door to houses where the owners start in October to set out their lights so they can complete the task by December.  Some light displays blink in time with popular Christmas songs and others have moving parts creating elaborate scenes.  But regardless of how small or large a display is everyone loves to see the Christmas lights and at least one night during the season is set aside to go looking at the different displays in the neighborhood.

If you are taking a trip in December one special place to see beautiful displays is Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. The 18th century village will transport you back in time to an era where dedicated men and women put forth their vision for this great country.  You will become part of the 18th century as you meet and watch these people do things as they were done back then.  The village goes all out to celebrate the season starting with Christmas Parade on December 2nd and the Grand Illumination on December 3rd. 

On Saturday, see local businesses and organizations put forth their holiday best at the annual Williamsburg Christmas parade from 8:30am to 11am, then spend the day viewing all the decorations around the Historic City. Come back Sunday for more activities, including music at various locations from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm and the best firework show in Williamsburg starting at 7:00 pm. There are three locations for the fireworks...The Capitol, The Magazine and The Governor's Palace.  Be sure to visit the prominent homes of the past.  They will be decorated in the style of the 18th century.

Through the month of December there are many activities and programs not only at Colonial Williamsburg but also at Jamestown and Yorktown.  The Williamsburg KOA is conveniently located within a short drive to any of these attractions.  So if you are looking for lights this Christmas come visit Colonial Williamsburg, enjoy 18th century hospitality and make memories that would last you a lifetime.