My youngest son learned somehow, around his 6th birthday, that Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of our country with the Louisiana Purchase. Mr. Jefferson has been his favorite president ever since. So the little guy was pleased to go visit his hero's homestead. This is the front door, a view not often seen in published photos.
This is my little boys sitting on a deck off the back with me. I needed to sit a while; they didn't.
And, of course, the view you all expected to see. They call this the "nickel view", because this is the side of the house shown on the reverse of the U.S. nickel (5 cents, for my international friends). It was sunny and 70; the sky was picture perfect!
And what trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, would be complete without meeting the talented Mrs. Chan, knitter extraordinaire, who is owned by Sissy (a basset hound) and Gretchen (a Jack Russell Terrier)? Sadly, restaurants frown upon dogs coming in, so the fur-girls didn't get to come play with Ryan and Mark.
So, the 374 mile drive took 8 hours going down, due to highway construction delays, under 6 hours coming back, and my little blue "winter beater" Cadillac performed like the champ it is! Yes, I may have "exceeded posted speed limits," but I have no record of such alleged infractions.
(Yes, my sons often take the camera for goofy uses such as this.)
And Thor was ecstatic to have his boys back; he trapped them in the playroom so they couldn't leave him again. He did a good job of babysitting for Jeffrey, who cooked chicken and penne for the two of them over the weekend. But I've been sternly warned against leaving home again, especially with Thor's boys in tow.
Hope you all had a great weekend, too!
16 comments:
Sounds like an awesome trip and you got to meet Chan! :) How fun!
A little off thesubject, but Saturday evening I happened upon "Dogs 101" on the Animal Planet and lo and behold, the bull mastiff was showcased. No wonder you love him!!! My other favorite featured was the Great Pyranees. What a night. Your trip was lovely. Just received a post card from my brother who visited Monticello last week.
What fun to meet a blogger buddy in the flesh. Too bad the girls didn't come. They'd have loved your boys.
We went to Monticello when we loved in Maryland. It was wonderful.
Oh, it looks like you had a fun weekend with your boys !
What a fun time!
Looks like a great time was had by all! g
Looks like a great little road trip and super learning experience for your boys.
Sounds like a fun weekend!
Fabulous trip and extraordinary pictures. What a glorious weekend ! The weather has been wonderful here as well. Love Indian summer.
The Nickle View. Love that.
Nothing like combining learning with sight seeing and meeting up with friends! Best of all worlds!
Glad you made it home OK...!
Interesting post, the first time I have seen Jefferson's house as well!
Marjie,you are so right, people live so much longer now and an added 2 years on a life span of work is not very much. As you say society cannot afford to support people anymore. It is also difficult with inflation, to work out if you have enough money to retire these days as we have discovered, and why Nigel is still working. I hope for not too much longer but....
I wish you all the very best for your birthday in two weeks time, that was a mile stone for me 7 years ago and I now am looking at the next one. I feel no different to when I was 20 in mind and thoughts but the body reminds me differently from time to time!!
All the best Diane
My humans love visiting those historical things. Me? Not so much. I think Thor had more fun babysitting.
Slobbers,
Mango
P.S. My human brother is 32 years old and taller even than Master, but they still call him "boy." Hehehe
We thoroughly enjoyed meeting you. The girls would have definitely had a ball with your sons, but alas, the Health Department has its codes...
Love the front view of Monticello. I think the back is so popular because of the dome's visibility, but what do I know?
That looked like a beautiful day, seeing Monticello. We would like to go there some day. How neat that your youngest, M, has such appreciation for the contributions of Jefferson. I wonder how many young people his age have any idea of our indebtedness to Jefferson? Sounds like you all had a great weekend trip.
Sounds like a great weekend was had by all... and awesome you & Chan got together! :)
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