Although I've lived in the Tidewater Region since 12th grade, I have not taken advantage of all the history and culture in the area. And being a Navy family, Patrick and I are destined to leave Virginia eventually, so this year we're resolving to experience some of the great museums, festivals, historic sites, and cultural attractions Hampton Roads has to offer!
This weekend we drove up to Fort Monroe to see the Casemate Museum, Old Point Comfort Lighthouse (which I've driven past many times on USS NORMANDY while we transited into and out of the Virginia Capes areas for various underway operations) and more! Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort ever built in the US and the only moat-enclosed fort used by the US Army. It was built in 1819 and it's walls have been walked by notable historic figures such as Robert E. Lee (1831-second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers), Edgar Allan Poe (1828-sergeant major of artillery), Jefferson Davis (Confederate President imprisoned in the fort and accused of plotting an assassination of Lincoln), and more!
After our walking tour, I took Patrick to Doumar's for lunch! Doumar's is a Norfolk staple and the inventor of the ice cream cone! When I was in high school, I went to Doumar's the night before the SATs (I took them four times) and Mr. Doumar made me a good luck BBQ...raised my score 100 points each time! I also went there after swim meets to chow down after a long night in the pool...yum! Check out Doumar's on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives here. Of course, Patrick loved it, which is good because I can't go for very long without my Limeade and BBQ fix!
