August 2013
We all learn about Thomas Jefferson in school and see his home on our ten dollar bills but visiting Monticello gives you a fascinating insight into the actual man and his life that pages in a book just don't convey. While in Central Virginia to visit Monticello, we stayed in Charlottesville. We spent a lot of time at the Historic Downtown Pedestrian Mall. I wish more cities would build an area like this for pedestrians where you can shop or dine outdoors at any of many excellent restaurants.

Just driving behind a trailer full of tobacco

Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall is a cool place to shop and dine

The Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville

The chalk wall at Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall has surprisingly few profanities

Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall is a cool place to shop and dine

It was perfect weather for dining outside at Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall

The Davenport Building in downtown Charlottesville

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

The driveway leading up to Monticello

Lifesized statue of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

The garden tour at Monticello was as interesting as the house itself

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

The fish pond was used to hold fish until they were ready to be used for dinner

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

The South Pavillion of Monticello

One of many flowers in the gardens at Monticello

The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew

Peppers in the gardens at Monticello

The view from the Monticello garden is spectacular

The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew

The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew

The Monticello vineyard

Sea kale in the gardens at Monticello

The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew

The Jefferson family cemetery

Thomas Jefferson's grave

The Jefferson family cemetery

The kitchen at Monticello

The wine cellar at Monticello

The Michie Tavern

James Madison's Montpelier

These wood frames represent the prior location of the slave quarters

The gardens at Montpelier were built while the Duponts owned the property

The gardens at Montpelier were built while the Duponts owned the property

The gardens at Montpelier were built while the Duponts owned the property

Walking around the grounds of Montpelier

James Madison's grave

My mother and the Madisons

James Madison's Montpelier

The kitchen at Montpelier

James Madison's Temple actually sits atop the icehouse

The shrimp and grits at Positively 4th Street were delicious.

The view from our hotel room was the University of Virginia Medical Center