June 25, 2016
My Birthday Day
For my birthday this year Captain Jack really spoiled me. He took me out for a nice breakfast then we drove up to Monticello, our third presidents home. Monticello was incredibly busy so we decided to buy tickets for the next day (early) and come back instead of struggling against the crowds. We then drove to Carter's Mountain Orchard for some cider, afterward, we spent the afternoon watching movies and then he took me out for dinner. It may not have been as crazy as some of my other birthday's but it was sweet and I was with the man I love so all was good.
June 26, 2016
Monticello/Thomas Jefferson's Home
Early on the 26th we headed the whole 18 minute drive (it's so crazy how close things are here) to Monticello. Other than New York City/New Jersey, this was the first time I had the opportunity to explore the US history on the East Coast. This was only the first out of many in the future. I am on a mission to see and touch our own history now that I have been able to explore so much of Europes for the past two and a half years.
When we got to Monticello there was a large beautiful visitors center and then we were shuttled up to the house.
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| David M Rubenstein Visitor Center |
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| Lovely fountains |
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| Beautiful flowers |
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| Well hello handsome! |
After looking through the gift shop and walking around the visitor center we walked up the stairs to catch our shuttle to the main house. It was a quick 5 minute drive.
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| The entrance to Monticello |
When we got to the main house we were early and decided to walk around the grounds while we waited for our tour of the inside to begin. We walked down to the garden area and surprisingly it was probably my favorite part of Monticello. I saw produce, like artichokes, that I had never seen on the plant. It was still cool enough to not melt too which was really nice.
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| The gardens and the Garden Pavilion |
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| A gorgeous pop of color in the beautiful setting |
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| Monticello's vineyard |
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| Apple trees and vineyard |
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| The apple trees at Monticello |
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| Just look at that view! |
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| Artichokes on their plant! I had no idea this was how they grew! |
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| Looking at the Garden Pavilion |
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| My guy in the Garden Pavilion |
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| Looking out a window pane in the Garden Pavillion |
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| French lavender |
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| Pink poppies |
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| Orange poppies |
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| Red poppies |
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| Looking down on the garden |
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| The Garden Pavilion from above |
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| The only standing part of the "Joiners" shop |
When we were done exploring the garden, we walked to meet up with our inside tour.
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| Blueprint of the first floor on Monticello |
We entered through the Northeast Portico into the entrance hall. Pictures are not allowed inside the main house so all pictures of the interior are from their website.
The Entrance Hall
The Sitting Room/School Room or South Square Room
Library
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| The picture above the fireplace has been covered since some of the art is on loan and they do not have permission to photograph it. |
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| The Southeast Piazza/Greenhouse |
Jefferson's Cabinet & Bedroom
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| Jefferson's Cabinet or office area |
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| His bed was used as a room divide |
The Parlor
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| They played music and games in this room |
The Dining Room/Tea Room
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| They had folding tables that they would bring in for large meals |
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| The Tea Room |
The North Octagonal Room/North Square Room
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| The North Octagonal Room. Most frequently used by Dolly Madison |
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| The North Square Room |
They let us out of the main house through the Northwest Piazza which we walked around to the back of the house and the flower gardens.
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| Exiting the house |
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| The back of Monticello |
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| Cool flowers in the flower garden |
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| Unusual flowers brought to Virginia by Lewis & Clark |
We also went below the house and saw the kitchen and wine cellar.
Then we finished up the flower garden, the fish pond and taking pics of the back of the house.
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| My artsy pic |
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| Looking back at Monticello's reflection in the fish pond |
When we were done exploring the back of the house we walked back to the visitors center and stopped at Jefferson's grave. It was a beautiful walk back and even though we were walking by a graveyard, it was very peaceful.
It was a wonderful day and it was very nice to see some United States history after spending the past few years exploring European history. I'm looking forward to our trip to DC next for the 4th of July!
