Hello from Charlottesville, VA.
We drove in on Saturday afternoon and are leaving this morning for Lancaster, PA. We’ll make a quick stop along the way so Steve can have coffee with a friend he knew back when they were in the third and fourth grades. They haven’t seen each other since, but interestingly, they both became pastors.
we toured Monticello, Jefferson’s estate. We had a wonderful guide who shared such fascinating facts and stories with us. I’ll try not to bore you with endless photos, but here are a few things that caught my eye.
Here we have Jefferson’s dog, looking remarkably life-like, lying on his bed.
Oh wait. That’s Tinker looking morose as he realizes we are packing to go somewhere. Thankfully, he and Belle (and the house) are in good hands with Uncle Gage and Aunt Sarah.
We hadn’t been there but just a few minutes when Steve got into a heated altercation with a rather steely-eyed gentleman who was hanging out near the shuttle buses. I quickly got them both calmed down and whisked Steve away for the tour.
Of course, Steve and I were immediately drawn toward Jefferson’s books, a small fraction of the thousands he owned.
I thought these boots were quite fetching. And isn’t it interesting how furniture like this dresser could easily be seen in someone’s house today? Fashions have changed a lot, but many furniture styles have stayed the same.
It never occurred to me that an old house would not have roomy, well-spaced stairs. The staircases fascinated me, especially thinking of trying to move furniture up and down.
This is the dome room, which the guide told us was not always a fancy room back in the day; in fact, it was sometimes used as a storage room/closet.
She opened an unnoticed door at one end of the room and showed us that several steps down was a secret hideaway playroom the granddaughters used. At one point, Jefferson had twenty-five family members living with him, so the house, large as it was, was often barely big enough.
Here are the not-so-famous Steve and Becky Smith. I think I had my phone on a weird setting because this makes us look taller and thinner than we actually are. Hmmm. Maybe that should be my default setting.
A few more sights along the way.
And my favorite picture and favorite fella.
Steve lay down for a nap, and I went off on a jaunt through the Virginia countryside. Out of the many lovely views I saw, I especially loved these rows of flags.
I somehow took this photo of myself when I was trying to take a photo of something else. I’m not sure what happened on it, but it has kind of a surreal look to it so I like it.
After my jaunt, I took a nap of my own, which was downright blissful.
And that pretty much covers our Sunday at Monticello. I hope you can stand the excitement!
I may post a little more frequently during this week of vacation so I don’t get backlogged. Thanks for coming along on our trip.
What about you?
Have you been to Monticello? What were your impressions or favorite sights?
Have you ever gotten together with someone from your childhood who you haven’t seen in a long time?
What did you do on your Sunday?
It has been several years, but yes, we have been to Monticello – Fascinating! Enjoyed every detail they told us. Have a feeling that Steve’s discussion went in one ear and out the other with that guy! In 57. 58 and 59 I went to a school in a town with a little over 500 people. We then moved to a town about 15 miles away where I graduated from a class of 169 students, not about 30 in the previous class. In my last reunion, my husband and I sat at a very large round table by ourselves, a couple folks stopped by to say hi, but no one asked us to join them or them to join us. Decided that was my last reunion. Previously I had been in touch with a classmate from the smaller class and she asked me, “why don’t you come to our reuion? So I did and have been going back ever since – I felt welcomed, even though it had been many, many years since I had since any of them.
Sharyn,
Steve and his friend had a great time catching up; they each had different memories to share so it was fun for them to be transported back in time a few decades.
I am so sorry the one reunion you went to wasn’t a positive experience but so glad you’ve been going to the smaller one and enjoying yourselves. Reunions can definitely be stressful for so many reasons. Good for you for persevering and finding one that is fun for you!
I visited Monticello waaaaayy back when I was in school. I don’t remember if it was with school or youth group. The thing I remember is how small the beds seemed.
I really like those flags you found – so many of them, on on such a quaint fence lined road.
I hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to all your amazing photos coming soon!!
Sue Ellen,
It’s funny that the beds are what you remember from all those years ago. They were definitely petite.
We saw several school groups while we were there. It’s great when kids get to actually see the things they study about.
Great pics! I went to Monticello on a field trip in 6th grade which was 49 years ago. I don’t remember much at all.
I made my son his most requested birthday cake on Sunday since I won’t see him on his birthday on Thursday. We went out to dinner to celebrate him.
I didn’t actually see someone from my past but my mom called today from TN to say that my high school boyfriend stopped by to visit since he was working close by. She is 91 years old with a great memory. She wanted to tell me all about his family and how he looked😂
have
Have a wonderful trip!
Hope,
How sweet that her high school boyfriend would stop by to see your mom. Sounds like she enjoyed his visit. It made me smile that she wanted to let you know how he looked. 🙂
And making a favorite cake for a wonderful son is a great way to spend a Sunday!
I have not been to Monticello but your photos are great. I always enjoy staircases.
I have met some friends from childhood and it is always a joy. Hope Steve enjoys his visit.
We had a potluck after church and the families were all split up to meet new people. I had a 7 year old at my table that was polite, funny, and kept our conversation going. It was a joy.
Patti,
I love that families were split up at your church potluck. So often everyone sits with people they know and newer people don’t get a chance to meet folks.
How fun to have a polite and funny 7-year old at your table. I love kids that can actually keep a conversation going. They always have such interesting things to say.
Becky, I love your posts. I identify with many of them very much. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Lancaster. I hope you are seeing “Noah” at Sights and Sound. My parents treated my family years ago and it was amazing. Make sure you go to Kitchen Kettle and stop by The Red Caboose in Ronks, right near Sights and Sound and their restaurant when you are in the area. Thankfully I am only less then an hour away from Lancaster and we make trips there often. I’m sure you will get great pictures from there as it is a beautiful landscape, especially the back roads.
Karen,
I think you might be a new commenter? If so, hooray! 🙂
Yes, we are headed over to see Noah at 3 pm this afternoon. So excited! We basically planned our whole trip around that performance. And of course I am also going to take several trips along the back roads in the area; another reason I was excited to come.
We will definitely take a look at the places you mentioned; thanks for the recommdations!
Delightful! Thanks so much for letting us come along on your trip. And a BIG thanks in advance if you post more often about your journey this week.
Cheryl,
Glad you are along for the ride! 🙂 I’ll try to post at least once or twice more this week. Happy day to you!
I’ve never been to Monticello but your tour of Jefferson’s house looks interesting! We spent the day in the sunshine, on the deck with friends, family and neighbors celebrating our son’s 39th birthday. The weather was absolutely perfect. The kiddos played outside and it could not have been any better. Enjoy your vacation!
Lee Anne,
Friends and family. A birthday. Perfect weather. Kiddos playing.
Those are the moments we remember.
So happy you guys can get away! Love the pics– so interesting to see.
Glad the doggies and house are well taken care of by the amazing Gage & Sarah Long, Inc. 😊
Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
Love, Deb
Deb,
Yes, we are very thankful for Sage and their willingness to dog sit. I’m sure Tinker and Belle will give us the stink eye when we get home, though. 🙂
Was fun to see the good pics of the historic place… thanks for sharing. Enjoy the trip! Ruth
Ruth,
Ruth,
We finally got into the Lancaster area last night after a long travel day. Ready to trade interstates for country roads!
We’ve visited Monticello a couple of times and found something new to learn each time. Sunday for us included worship, a congregational meeting, garden upkeep and a relaxing dinner on the patio. Enjoy your trip!
Kristy,
I have a feeling a person could visit there a dozen times and find so many new things to learn.
Sounds like you had a perfect Sunday. Any day that ends with “a relaxing dinner on the patio” sounds like a good day to me!
I loved Monticello when we were able to visit. The furniture is exquisite and I was shocked at, like you said, how relevant it still is. I found the short beds comical. We really are taller with our nutrition these days. And you and Steve were exceptionally tall in your picture. ha ha
Sundays are for family here. We enjoyed having our daughter, son, and grandbaby here for the weekend. Our son-in-law is on a hunting trip and we are the blessed recipients of our daughter and grandbaby when he’s out of town. She takes the opportunity to stay with us as it cuts 30 minutes off of her commute to work. I keep him anyway so this is easy, and I get to be at home.
I know you and Steve will enjoy your time together. The Amish country and Lancaster PA are a favorite of ours as well.
Lisa,
How lovely that you get to be “blessed recipients” of your daughter and grandbaby. Sounds like a win win all the way around!
We just got into the Lancaster area last night; can’t wait to start exploring!