D. C. Trip - Day 4

Thursday morning we decided against the hotel breakfast that the kids would refuse to eat and just checked out. By the light of day, we realized that Lynchburg, VA looked like it would be a fun place to explore. Our hotel was actually located right at the end of their Historical Downtown Area where there were many fun looking shops, including what looked to be an old car museum. We actually found an indoor farmers market and decided we would stop there for breakfast. I was a little disappointed that the bakery was not open yet, but there were a couple of diners that were open for breakfast. The best part was when we asked what was on the breakfast menu and were asked in return, "What do you want for breakfast?" So we all had our breakfast made to order. The kids and I walked around the booths while we waited for breakfast to be ready. It was fun and relaxing. My 9 year old daughter even stopped to talk to a doll clothes seamstress and was given a sewing demonstration.
We left Lynchburg after breakfast and headed to Charlottesville, VA, home of the University of Virgina and it's founder, Thomas Jefferson. I remember visiting Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Home, with my family when I was in High School. It was impressive to me then, but coming back when I have a longer attention span and a greater understanding of modern conveniences made Jefferson's Home even more awe inspiring. Everything about the house and grounds fascinates me. All things had a purpose and a place whether it was in his home or on the grounds. The vegetable gardens and vineyards were planted meticulously for consumption as well as educational purposes. The gardens are maintained the same way that Jefferson and his household would have maintained them. The house has many little details that Jefferson put into it that reflect his personality and love of learning; the clock/calendar in the entry, Jefferson’s study with all of his books, the polygraph, the alcove beds built in between the rooms, the dinning area with the dumbwaiters for food and wine, the parlor's conversation pieces all the way down to and including the floor, the cellars, the breeze way built under the house that connects the privy and other essential rooms to the main house, the cold storage, bath/laundry house, etc. The home is under constant renovations in order to restore everything back to its original state down to the paint color.
On a more personal note, the most exciting part of our visit was when our 2 year old decided that she needed candy right in the middle of the house tour. She had seen me put the bag in my pocket and decided she didn't want to wait until the end of the tour to eat. Skittles went skedaddling across the floor and of course under the large armoire. Thank goodness for agile kids and kind Samaritans willing to dig Skittles out of small cracks and crevices before we got too many dirty looks from the tour guide. The Monticello workers were glad to see the back of us considering the Skittle Skedaddle, Ben insisting on carrying Sarah on his shoulders despite constant "warnings" from the staff, and my son wanting to tell a personal story every time they asked for questions.
The house and grounds are much the same as they were when I was younger, but there is now a separate visitor’s center with a café for a quick lunch or snack, a much larger gift shop for spending money, a larger parking lot for the parking of cars, and a very inspired Discovery Room. The kids got a chance to explore what life would have been like in Jeffersonian times. They even have a website so everyone can play along at home.
What the toddler enjoyed: the open spaces, being able to run around a little in the under area of the house, the discovery area, the service bell under the house and of course the Skittles.

D.C. Trip - Day 3

Usual morning preparations and a few arguments with the kids out of the way, it was decided that the kids would ride a horse before we left to tour Old Salem. This turned out to be one of the true highlights of the trip.
Our driving tour started with some of the older Moravian structures that are not in Old Salem proper. It was after weaving through streets to get to the different places that I realized having a local history teacher as a guide was a definite advantage. We didn't have to worry about directions, wrong turns, or trying to gather any historical information. The best part was that our tour guide brought a handy helper, which meant that the adults sitting in the front of the van got a more detailed, fact oriented tour while the kids in the back of the van got a tour that was directed to their learning level and they were able to ask all the questions they could think of and they tought of quite a few. Kudos to my cousin and her quick thinking to answer them all.
We also had a driving tour of the R. J. Reynolds estate, Reynolda Gardens. I would have liked to explore this estate in more detail, but time did not permit. Next time we head to North Carolina, I am making a point of exploring the learning gardens and the main house that is now an art museum. Both of which are maintained the local university, Wake Forest University.
When the driving tour was finished, we stopped in at the Old Salem Visitor's Center before we walked over to the artisan shops. We were able to listen to the largest surviving pipe organ built by David Tannenberg. The kids actually lasted for 2 full pieces before we had to excuse ourselves, it helped that the 2 year old was asleep.
We walked over to Historical Old Salem. Once again time was short, so we decided not to get tickets for all of the museums, something I would also like to do on another visit, but we did get a bit of a walking history tour. We walked by the Moravian Church and it was explained to us that the Moravians are still a very active people. If you get a chance to visit around Easter, I understand it is well worth your time to be a spectator/participant in their celebrations. The members spend much time and effort to scrub down all the white marble headstones in the cemetery. As part of the Easter Morning worship service, everyone watches the sun rise over the gleaming white headstones and it is said to be quite a moving experience.
I can also highly recommend the Bakery. Everything that I tasted was very delicious. They even have samples that you can try to help you make up your mind. In my case, the just made the decision more difficult. After taste testing, I wanted everything. My kids liked the lemon cookies and I really enjoyed the onion bread, but we also had some sugar cake that was very tasty. If it is a hot day, they serve ice cream in the upstairs level of the Bakery. We wanted to go there, but our kids had melt downs before that could happen. We knew at that point that they need some lunch more that they needed ice cream. The picture of the Old Salem Bakery taken by Cybjorg from Wikimedia.com.
My cousins recommended that we enjoy a fabulous Italian food before we headed up the road. How do you resist fabulous Italian food? The restaurant that we went to was called Little Italy and it was fabulous. The food and service were great. My favorite thing that we ate was a tomato, fresh basil, and mushroom pizza. My husband would recommend the combination pizza. My kids of course enjoyed their usual half cheese and half pepperoni pizza. I am looking forward to trying some of their pasta dishes next time. I wish I could find a website so that you could have more information just in case you are ever driving through King, North Carolina.
After lunch and a many good bye hugs given by my kids, we headed back out on the road and had an uneventful drive to Lynchburg, VA. The kids were tired from the morning activities and settled into the drive with movies and naps. It wasn't until we got to our hotel in Lynchburg that the drama began again. Once again it was over the pool. This time the pool was filling. I guess the typical opening weekend for out door pools is Memorial Day weekend and we had arrived a few days early. The kids eventually settled for McDonalds food and the Disney Channel. I am not a huge fan of McDonalds, but it is nice to be able to offer the kids their idea of comfort food no matter where we may be.