The Way We Were

There are lots of ways to escape for a little while, from the daily grind, from the slow climb to economic recovery, from homework. Some people do it through travel, and if you’re looking to get away from all the stress of today’s modern world and discover the problems of a previous generation of Americans – Colonial Williamsburg is a sure bet.

You know you’re supposed to be grateful for modern comforts, but there’s nothing like watching an eighteenth century blacksmith, farmer, or housewife try to carve out an existence in “the simple life” to drive the point home. While we can drive through for three meals a day and snacks in between, colonial tours present a different time – an era in which the next meal came by sweat, hard work, and a homemade fire.

Colonial Williamsburg is one of the most popular communities to tour when you’re looking for an escape to another time. These homes and businesses are more than show. The community almost solely supports itself – the blacksmith providing the nails for the general store being built down the street – and so on. You’ll be fascinated by every square inch of this journey to yesterday. But Colonial Williamsburg isn’t the only U.S. location where time stood still.

Nearby historic Jamestowne presents one of the first communities on U.S. soil. Visiting here you’ll hear wrenching stories of failure and success as these settlers from the Virginia company tried and failed and tried again to carve out an existence in the new land.

Or how about a modern community with a colonial feel? On Mackinac Island in Michigan, you get all the simple, beautiful charm of colonial times simply because the residents long ago decided to keep it so. No motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed on the charming island. And the horses – used for transportation – are beloved friends, cherished by the residents of Mackinack.

Other communities exist throughout the country that offer this same escape, such as Yorktown in New York or the Amish communities of Pennsylvania. Find these modern escapes, and you’re sure to be inspired for today.

(Photo by humbertomoreno on Flickr).