Monticello

Tuesday, May 2…    

"Morning has broken..."

It’s just a couple hours to Charlottesville, so we sleep in a bit and awake to a beautiful blue sky and lots of sunshine. Yea! Back on the road, we continue east the Charlottesville Elks Club (haven’t stayed at one of these since Carlsbad). We have a lovely shaded site surrounded by a manicured lawn, and there’s no registration or paperwork of any kind. Just a friendly welcome. The MH is filthy after yesterday’s rain, so we clean that (and the car, which is always filthy from being towed) up first. Then we grab a quick lunch and head to Monticello (Italian, little mount). I visited M in my early teens and have been anxious to go back ever since. Certainly the house hasn’t changed in 55+ years, but the tour certainly has. Now, in fact, there are 3 guided tours – house, gardens, and slave quarters. (Back in the ‘60s, “servants” were barely mentioned.) 

Forty+ years in the making.

Educated at William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Jefferson pursued a law career. But he was also interested in architecture and invention, as evidenced by several items in his home. He was a private man, happier reading than socializing (though he never turned visitors away). One of his proudest accomplishments was creating the University of Virginia, whose dome is still visible (with a little help from tree trimmers) from Monticello.

Jefferson was also a man of contradictions. He apparently

abhorred slavery but couldn’t see how to manage without it. Even at his death, he only freed 10 or so of his slaves. The rest were sold along with the property to help pay off a multitude of debts. Fortunately, a few years later, the house was sold again to a great admirer of Jefferson who wanted it preserved. 

Fresh veggies for someone.

There were fewer trees in Jefferson's
day, and he could easily see the white
dome of the U of V.

BlogThought... The 3 things Jefferson wanted to be remembered for are: 1) the Declaration of American Independence, 2) the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and 3) being the "father" of the University of Virginia. These three are inscribed on the obelisk at his grave site.

Evening falls. (We're camped to the right of the fence.)