Marriott's Ford Colony, Williamsburg, Virginia

The outside of our building at Marriott's Ford Colony in Virginia.  All the buildings are very Colonial in appearance, which is of course most appropriate given it's Williamsburg.  Well sorta.  Let me give you a mini amount of background.  This area just a short 10-ish minutes from Historic Williamsburg was previously known as Middle Plantation, but not the historic Middle Plantation.  Historic Middle Plantation is what became Williamsburg.  This area, Fords Colony is a premium planned community that really only came to be in about 1983, when in 1982 Middle Plantation Community failed.

The land originally was part of the territory of the Powhatan Chief (father of Pocahontas).  The area was involved in many conflicts/wars; but how it was passed from The Powhatan Chief to Middle Plantation and then Ford's Colony, I don't know.

All units here are 2 Bedroom, 2 bath units with a screened porch.  On this particular trip, our unit is the first floor you see there on the left.  Buildings face each other in this section with a nice courtyard in the middle.

Walking around the corner (our building is the one to the right of the sidewalk), you see well manicured lawns and landscaping.  It's a very pretty resort with a warm comfortable feel to it.

This is the office where you check in.  Again you see the well manicured and maintained public spaces.  

Small, but well appointed kitchen.

The bar area separating the kitchen from the dining room.

Lovely living room with fireplace on the right and out the sliding door is the screened porch where we spent a good deal of time.

You can see why we spent a good deal of time on the porch.  It was quite peaceful to read, knit, and or have our evening cocktails.

The 2nd bedroom with 2 closets, and sofa between.  Leading into the 2nd bedroom is the washer and dryer in a closet, next to the bathroom.  The suite is very nice with plenty of room.

Master bedroom.  A desk to the left of the bed, dresser to the right and a 2nd dresser not visible in the picture was the left of the end window.

Nice double sinks in the Master Bedroom.  There's both a jetted soak tub, and a separate shower in the Master Suite.

A bit blurry as I zoomed in to get hubby getting out of his golf cart.  Marriott's Ford Colony is situated right on a golf course.  Many of the Villas have a golf course view, though this trip; we didn't.  I was out walking when I spotted him.  There are 60 clubs with tennis and golf being very popular activities in Ford's Colony Planned Community.  You're close to Historic Jamestown as well, so plenty to do in the area.  However, it's also a good place to just relax, which is what we did.  We've been to both Jamestown and Williamsburg on other trips and just enjoyed the peace during this Covid trip.  We were able to cook in our villa, stay socially distant from other people and just enjoy our time away from home.

I walk almost daily.  Try to get 5 ish miles a day.  The walking and or biking path here is beautiful and mostly shaded.  The loop is about 4.5 miles and is scenic.  You're walking around the golf course.

And the gated housing community of Ford's Colony.  I walked, but bikes are available for rent through Marriott's Ford Colony on a daily or weekly basis.  They even have those trailer attachments for families with young children.

We enjoyed our time at Marriott's Ford Colony and plan to return.  As a Marriott Timeshare Member, golf is included with your stay.  You get a punch card with a number of free games.  On our first stay here, many years ago the number of games you got depending on your membership level.  This trip we got free golf daily.  Hubby played 4 or 5 times during the week, and I'm a non golfer.  You do need to rent a cart; but still it's a good deal.

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Palm Desert California

That's me dressed for dinner in the desert at Marriott's Palm Desert at Shadow Ridge.  You start out warm in the desert thus the sleeves and cool shoes and skirt, but it's always good to have a sweater to put on after the sun goes down...it can get cool very quickly in the desert.   We were heading out that evening, though we generally fixed our meals in since we had a full kitchen. (it's the day for D in the A-Z challenge)

Looking from the living room into the dining room and kitchen beyond with the door on left where you enter.

You can eat in the kitchen or on the nicely sized patio/balcony as we did most nights.  The balcony is large enough to accommodate 4 at the table and has a chaise lounge for relaxing during the day.

It's easy to prepare a fabulous meal like the steak, grilled potatoes and veggies and bread with the convenience of the grills between most buildings.  Nice view too.  We often would have the prep done, take it with our cocktails down to the grill and enjoy the sun setting over the mountains while we were cooking dinner.

You know you're in the desert by the abundance of cactus, and in some cases pretty cactus flowers.

Master suite has nice king bed, and soak tube with bathroom and shower area beyond.

Living room with entrance onto the balcony with a sleeper queen sofa if you need more sleeping space beyond the quest suite/2nd bedroom.

The quest room/2nd bedroom is queen/king (can't remember) with sleeper sofa, small table on the right, kitchenette which is where I was standing to take this photo.  It too has an entrance to a balcony..a separate one with table for 2.  The two bedrooms are separated by the common areas, kitchen, dining room, and living room.  Very nice with 2 balcony's in case everyone in your party doesn't get up at the same time.

Fun sculptures throughout the landscaping that serve again to remind you that you're in the desert.  The kids loved sitting on them.

Colorful Mosaic ones too. 

Kids also can enjoy the miniature golf course, or adults can practice their putting.

Jack Rabbits common desert wild life are abundant in late afternoon and early evening.

Awesome place to play golf...not though for the faint at hard.  Look at the area hubby's in...grass up to his knees.  The greens are nicely manicured, but if you're off the greens....again you're reminded you're in the desert.

Beautiful grounds the course in the middle with the villas/condo's on each side; but you can see it's a wide open area, not crowded.  I was laying down on the ground to see what the ball sees, when I took this photo lol.

A wonderful resort, we've been there several times and always enjoyed ourselves.  Take HUGE amounts of sun-screen regardless of what season you go.

The blogs search window is top left, should you want to see more about this resort from other trips.

And in keeping with our A-Z challenge, here's more D posts for you.

Daniel Boone, my childhood Hero
A Turtle Play Ground in Dog Town, St. Louis
Drayton Hall South Carolina

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

#5, mixing up number, start with 506

Golf on Hilton Head Island

There are many who might say Golf is Hilton Head's middle name. They think of golf immediately when they think of Hilton Head. While others might think Beach. I think History, Civil War, Good Food, and more. For some good background on all Hilton Head has to offer, see these two post:
Meanwhile, back to golf. There are 26 golf courses on The Island with many more nearby. 20 of those 26 are championship courses. The Island, Hilton Head isn't all that large measuring 56 square miles, so 26 golf courses is Alot! That many courses gives you much to choice from. There are golf packages sometimes associated with a specific hotel or timeshare; there are packages which group certain courses together also.
These views are from the top of The Harbour Town Light House viewing The famous Harbour Town Golf Links Course where the prestigious Heritage Classic takes place.
The course is right next to the beach and the ocean, on land formerly a plantation. A plantation owned by The Lawton Family. A plantation that had owned slaves. Following the beautiful golf course along the tree line on the left, and you'll find a graveyard presumed to be mostly slaves, or freed slaves and their descendants. The Lawton Plantation then Stables has been moved to a new location within Sea Pines Plantation. The new and the old world with 2 vastly different uses.
It hasn't been a golf course all that long. I've read conflicting information about when the course was opened, one article said in 1969 and one in 1967.
The beautiful course offers views such as this sailing boat, and is open to the public. I'm not a golfer, though hubby is he's not played this course; but perhaps on another trip he will.

Enjoy the present, come and enjoy and play; but please remember and honor the past. They had a heavy burden and deserve our remembrance.

Golf, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Golf! Whether you live in or are traveling to Myrtle Beach this is a must. You really need to review this web page for EVERYTHING you need to know about golfing in the area. www.48hourteetimes.com is truly an amazing website. The alphabetical listing of golf courses is at your finger tips, each with a live link where you can read a description of the course, as well as pricing.

The ease of booking your Tee Times 24/7 at your finger tips with course maps. The information is very complete from who designed the course to whether it's tree lined, or straight and long. For fun and more information, tips to improve your game and or just to keep you informed read and enjoy the Golf Blog also available to you with the click of your mouse.

Are you needing to stick to a budget? Are you wanting a package deal of accommodations as well as golf times? Look no further, 48 Hour Tee Times is your source. You can book at the last minute, or plan ahead. Plug in information about when you plan to travel, how many golfers will be playing, even how much per golfer you want to pay and let them plan your day. AND it's FREE!! The only thing they don't do for you is pack your bag, so grab your suitcase. You pack and let them do the rest for you. Accommodations with golf, golf by itself and dinner recommendations truly one stop shopping.

Enjoy!

Golf in the Desert, Arizona

Desert, mountains, and a water hole make for a pretty site at the golf course.
Hubster golfing in the desert.
Sunset on the golf course with the moutains in the background is a common, but beautiful site in Phoenix.

Ooophs, bet someone had a hard time trying to find their ball after this shot. Sadly, you can see from the holes in the cactus this isn't uncommon. I don't know if this damages the cactus. I did ask when we were there, but didn't really get a good answer.

There are lots of beautiful golf courses in and around Phoenix. I don't play, but hubby sure enjoyed himself.

Golf = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Time Time is on my side - it is. Oh, if only I could sing it for you. lol

If you say 3 words, Myrtle Beach Golf; you've said a mouthful. 100 beautiful golf courses await you, your family, or your group. Play a round or two with Greg Norman, Davis Love, III, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. Those names are known to even those who don't play golf, they are just some of the famous golfer's who've designed the courses for your enjoyment. Plan a Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation any time of the year the weather's a bonus.

Have you racked your brain trying to come up with the "perfect gift idea" for your special someone? Choose a Myrtle Beach Golf Package, your honey won't return it like a sweater that doesn't fit or a tie he doesn't like. Look at the comprehensive list of courses, pick dates, times, check for discounts or special group rates; one stop shopping from the ease of your computer chair. Think of the time, and gas you'll save shopping this way. Make your guy happy and shop green this holiday season, just click your mouse.

Boys week out, Girls can play too, family vacation, work retreat? Golf Packages Myrtle Beach is your answer. Sun, Sand, and Golf....life is good.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

We've been busy raking leaves in my part of the country, perhaps you are too. Trade in your rake and colder temperatures for fun at a Myrtle Beach Resort. Grab your golf clubs, this is a golfer's paradise. Countless courses await you. The web-page is interactive, you can plug in the type of course you like, and the times you like to play to find and reserve your tee times. I don't play golf, but hubby sure enjoys it. I'll enjoy time at the pool, and on the beach while he tries to improve his golf game.

While you and your spouse or signifcant other are staying at Myrtle Beach Resorts, take a romantic walk on the beach, sit in the hot tubs, enjoy the night life and entertainment, after consuming a meal at any number of fine dining options available. Traveling with the kids, no matter; lodging at any of the 7 Myrtle Beach Hotels is perfect for you and yours. Spend the day on the beach, or poolside, have fun at the lazy river, go fishing, plenty of family friendly activities.

Pick out the floor plan that works for. A one, two, or three bedroom condo or single hotel room; all available with easy on line search at your finger tips. And don't forget to check out the views from your balcony. Kick back and enjoy a sunrise or sunset at Myrtle Beach Resorts, you'll be glad you did. I feel a desire now to sing, "Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset...." Hum, guess I need to look up the rest of the words.