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.