6-26, Monticello

My boys really treated me for my birthday weekend.  I have been wanting to see Monticello for the past year or so.  My wish came true this weekend and we were off to see the home of Thomas Jefferson near Charlottesville, VA.  We were up bright and early Saturday morning and made the 3-hour drive with plenty of time to see the sights that day.  And, best of all, we didn't have to drive back that night because we had a hotel to relax in.  It was a fantastic day.....I unofficially made that day my birthday because it was so great.

Me on the eve of my 29th birthday....hee hee.....
happy with my wish of seeing Monticello.

Does anyone else see my cousin Darren in this picture of Nikolas?

Look at the size of this tree stump!  That had to have been one massive tree.  It was right next to the house, so it's a  good thing they took it down before it took the house down.

Thomas Jefferson loved gardening.  He had quite the land for it, too.  This is part of his vegetable garden.  There was everything imaginable growing in it.  It was quite awesome. 

Wine, anyone?

Here is his 'garden pavilion'. Imagine Thomas Jefferson standing in there, looking out over the valley contemplating the direction of our new country. AMAZING! And, I must say that the landscape in this area was so pretty. You all know I'm not fond of the east coast, but I'd have to say that this part of Virginia is stunning.

Inside the 'garden pavilion'.

As if you didn't notice, I loved the garden pavilion.  I told Sven that's now on my wish list for our dream house....who DOESN'T need a garden pavilion?!

Sven took this photo looking the other direction toward the hillside above (beyond a valley below).

Here is the insignia that is on the gate to the cemetary with Jefferson's grave.

I did not take a picture of Jefferson's gravesite, but this photo was taken at cemetary where he is buried.  Buried near Jefferson is family that lived a long time ago, and on the otherside of the cemetary is family from more recent times.

Monticello was all I'd hoped it would be.  I was too busy taking it all in to get pictures of it all (sorry).  Just imagine that beautiful mansion, gardens and orchards sitting on a hilltop overlooking a serene valley of trees that you can see for miles.  It was really breathtaking......especially when you conisder it was almost 100 degrees.  =)  What a wonderful memory I have of a wonderful day spent with my family.