Charlottesville, Monticello and Montpelier

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.

3-02 Tobacco Trailer
Just driving behind a trailer full of tobacco
3-04 Downtown Pedestrian Mall
Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall is a cool place to shop and dine
3-05 Paramount Theater
The Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville
3-07 Chalk Wall
The chalk wall at Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall has surprisingly few profanities
3-08 Downtown Pedestrian Mall
Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall is a cool place to shop and dine
3-11 Downtown Pedestrian Mall
It was perfect weather for dining outside at Charlottesviile's Downtown Pedestrian Mall
3-12 Davenport Building
The Davenport Building in downtown Charlottesville
3-13 Monticello Sign
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
3-14 Monticello Driveway
The driveway leading up to Monticello
3-15 Thomas Jefferson Statue
Lifesized statue of Thomas Jefferson
3-16 Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
3-18 Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
3-19 Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
3-20 Gardens
The garden tour at Monticello was as interesting as the house itself
3-21 Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
3-22 Fish Pond
The fish pond was used to hold fish until they were ready to be used for dinner
3-23 Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
3-24 South Pavillion
The South Pavillion of Monticello
3-25 Flower
One of many flowers in the gardens at Monticello
3-28 Garden
The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew
3-30 Peppers
Peppers in the gardens at Monticello
3-31 Garden View
The view from the Monticello garden is spectacular
3-32 Garden
The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew
3-33 Garden
The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew
3-34 Vineyard
The Monticello vineyard
3-35 Sea Kale
Sea kale in the gardens at Monticello
3-38 Garden
The gardens at Monticello still grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that Jefferson grew
3-41 Cemetary Gate
The Jefferson family cemetery
3-42 Jefferson Grave
Thomas Jefferson's grave
3-44 Cemetary
The Jefferson family cemetery
3-47 Kitchen
The kitchen at Monticello
3-50 Wine Cellar
The wine cellar at Monticello
3-51 Michie Tavern
The Michie Tavern
3-54 Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
3-56 Slave Quarters
These wood frames represent the prior location of the slave quarters
3-58 Dupont Gardens Entrance
The gardens at Montpelier were built while the Duponts owned the property
3-59 Dupont Gardens
The gardens at Montpelier were built while the Duponts owned the property
3-61 Archway
The gardens at Montpelier were built while the Duponts owned the property
3-62 Montpelier Grounds
Walking around the grounds of Montpelier
3-65 Madison Grave
James Madison's grave
3-67 Mom & Madisons Statue
My mother and the Madisons
3-69 Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier
3-70 Kitchen
The kitchen at Montpelier
3-72 Madison's Temple
James Madison's Temple actually sits atop the icehouse
3-73 Shrimp and Grits
The shrimp and grits at Positively 4th Street were delicious.
3-74 UVA Medical Center
The view from our hotel room was the University of Virginia Medical Center