Some Historic Places

My husband and I spent several days with Collin's family recently. As I mentioned, it had been more than a year since we've seen them because of the pandemic.

We bundled up and went to visit Monticello the day after we arrived, taking a shuttle for the short ride from the visitor's center to the estate itself.

James and David went with us,

and were especially enamored with the dinosaur bones on display in the entry hall.

As always in these historic places, I am amazed by the design and the ingenuity of people who lived so long ago.

Of course, the pianos were a big draw for me.

And there were 2 of them in this room.

We wandered around outside a little bit as well and came upon this little fish pond. You can just see the wheels turning in James' head, can't you? Wondering how close he can get, and if the thin layer of ice would support him.

It's a really interesting place. I've alway been amazed by the sort of Renaissance man mind of Thomas Jefferson. The calendar/clock in the front entry hall operated by weights in a lower level was fascinating, as was his ice house.

Another day we made the trek to Appomattox, where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, ending the Civil War. We were able to tour some of the buildings including the jail, which was totally wonderful for the boys, but the actual house where the surrender was signed was closed to the public.

As it turns out, I was really glad I stuck these boots in the suitcase, along with the heaviest coat I own. 

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with us much. The boys made the most of it, though. They stomped through any patch of snow or ice they could find, slipping and sliding around until they were damp and/or wet all over. This particular day came after some freezing rain had put in an appearance. All around us we could hear the cracking and popping of ice coming down off trees and buildings.

Comments

[Eye guy]

Sounds fun!

[AP Man]

Can't believe James didn't skate the pond! That doesn't sound like him.