The Traveling Twosome: The Traveling 3some - Day 19 - From Charlottesville, Virginia to Monticello to Charlotte, North Carolina via Blue Ridge Parkway

October 25

352 miles - 38.4mpg

Up at 6:30 AM to be first in line at Monticello. So, after a free, munch-worthy buffet breakfast we packed the Fit full of our travel goodies and drove a few miles out of Charlottesville. Gates open at 8:30, the visitor center at 9.

Norm's taste in friends just keeps getting better and better. Thomas Jefferson was a really, really smart man, so Norm is hoping for a little halo effect by rubbing shoulders.

Jefferson had 5,000acres of land surrounding Monticello and over his lifetime owned nearly 700 slaves to work the land, work in the house and so much more. He, Washington and Madison all considered slavery a depravity upon mankind but kicked the can for a solution down the road in order to jump start the new nation. The can stopped rolling in 1861.

We did it! Snagged a spot on the first tour at 9:15. For many places we go it is evident that this not the high season for tourists. However, by the time we drove off, both the regular parking lot and the overflow lot were full.Everyone, it seems, loves Uncle Tom.

Saving Norm's footsies. Then again, in all fairness, from the visitor center to the house is all up hill. Monticello means "little hill". Jefferson had his slaves remove the entire top of the hill, dirt, rocks and all so that it was all perfectly flat for his future home. Sweet.

The bus let us off and we walked up to the front of the 11,000 square foot house.

However, it is the back of the house that is the iconic image most of us know - the one on the reverse of the Jefferson nickel. All of this is Jefferson's design - in addition to his manifold other accomplishments, he was a self taught architect. The "dome" theme is mirrored in the design of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington.

Jefferson and his family gathered in this parlor to play music, games, read, and take tea. This is a semi-octagonal room with 57 works of art.

This is one big back yard.

Located here are just some of the rooms that made the house function - kitchen, ice house, repair shop... and wood. In winter, it took (10) cords of wood to heat the house. High ceilings and lots of glass didn't help.

Half way down the hill, between the house and the visitor's center. It's said that fame is fleeting, but for some it is only life that's fleeting and fame does linger. There are certainly more munificent grave markers for much lesser men.

These are Jefferson's words, all that he wanted inscribed. No mention of 8 years as President. He had inscribed what he wanted to be remembered for.

Leaving Monticello, heading south to Lynchburg, Virginia is another touchstone of the Civil War, the place where the last air escaped from the Confederate balloon. Pressed by General Grant and the Union forces at his rear and blocked ahead by other Union troops, last ditch fighting did take place in the Appomattox area but Lee knew further resistance was futile.

Displays inside the courthouse.

Let's let bygones be bygones.

Panshot of the area, the courthouse on the right.

Peaceful now, but several final, deadly skirmishes took place here.

Yesterday we drove part of the Skyline Drive before leaving it to head to Charlottesville. Actually, after 105 miles the Skyline Drive segues seamlessly into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which continues south for another 450 miles, ending at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee. We entered the Parkway near Lynchburg and drove it for 60 miles, exiting at Roanoke, Virginia. Wonderful scenery and vistas on our stretch.