We headed toward Shanendoah and took the Skyline Drive along the top of the mountain. We stopped at a vista point where we could see the Shanendoah Valley. I had sung Shanendoah for so many years that it was exciting to see what I had been singing about all this time. It was so beautiful even with the haze over the valley.
We continued driving down through the Blue Ridge Mountains and Madison County, thinking and talking about all the movies we had seen set in this part of the country. Papa's cousin had made us a wonderful lunch again, so we had a lovely picnic on our road trip.
We went to Charlottesville and Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's plantation. By the time we got there it was about 3:30pm and we wanted to take a tour of the house, so we went to the visitor's center and bought tickets. Our tour was scheduled for 5:50pm which gave us time for an amazing, informative, lovely, garden tour. The guide was very well informed and was able to explain every plant and flower and tree and vegetable on the plantation grounds. It made me want to go home and plant my vegetables and tend my fruit trees and dig in my dirt. The guide told us how the fruit on some of the tops of the trees would glow when the sun was setting and Jefferson could see it from his home. I thought of my oranges and tangelos and how they also glow as the sun is setting in my garden. It was fun to see the inside of the house as it looked when Jefferson lived there. I especially liked the Tea Room and wish I could have stayed to have some. It was beautifully set and ready for a lovely tea. They talked often about Jefferson's grandchildren and how much they all must have enjoyed the home and gardens. The grounds are still/again planted and fertile and producing lovely fruit and vegetables that are shared with everyone who works there now. Oh, how it would be an amazing trip to go back in time and share the experience with them. Take a look at a nickel. One of these photos I took should look very familiar!
We had hamburgers at Applebee's, thanks to "Jack" who got us there just fine. We had a full day and started to head for "home." A delicious bowl of Java Chip ice cream and some enjoyable conversation was waiting for us when we got there at about 10pm. What a long but incredible day!
Oh! by the way! "Jack" and the yellow Mustang seem very happy together.
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