Happy Birthday to me!

I have a milestone birthday, so I thought it would be cool to take a road trip to Charlottesville, and review a little history and have some fun. So the plan was to take a tour of Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello, eat lunch at Michie Tavern, then take a tour of James Monroe’s Highland, then finish the day with a wine tasting and birthday cake at nearby Trump Winery.

Here we go…

Monticello

Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of The Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States. We had a guided tour of the house, and we were able to walk the grounds to see the outbuildings and take in some beautiful views.

Monticello
Monticello
Monticello
Monticello
Monticello
Monticello
The garden
The view from Monticello
The view from Monticello
Jefferson’s Phaeton
Kitchen
Smokehouse
Spinning room.
Slave quarters
Grave of Thomas Jefferson

Here was buried
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the
Declaration
of 
American Independence
of the
Statute of Virginia
for
Religious Freedom
and Father of the
University of Virginia

Jefferson wrote the text for his monument. Interesting that he chose to not mention that he was the third president of the United States!

Lunch at Michie Tavern

Michie Tavern dates back to 1784, and they have a colonial/country style lunch buffet. So we feasted on fried chicken, baked chicken, pork barbecue, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, beets, blackeyed peas, cornbread  and biscuits.

Lunch
At Michie Tavern
Michie Tavern
Room in  Michie Tavern museum
Room in  Michie Tavern museum
Revolutionary War era flintlock musket on display

James Monroe’s Highland

James Monroe, our fifth president, lived here, near his good friend Thomas Jefferson. The house Monroe lived in no longer stands, but there is an outline of the foundation of that house. Monroe practiced law in Fredericksburg, and I have toured his Law Office and Museum many times over the years.

Outline of the house Monroe lived in.
This house was built in the 19th century, partially on top of the location of Monroe’s house.
We had a guided tour of the guest house, which contains many items owned by the Monroes. Photography was not allowed in the house.
300-year=old tree in the front yard.
Bust of James Monroe. There is also a bust of Monroe in the garden to the rear of the James Monroe Law Office and Museum in Fredericksburg.
James Monroe Statue

Tasting at Trump Winery

To close out our day, we went to the Trump Winery for a private wine tasting. And to celebrate the day with some Wesley-made birthday cake.

Thanks to Wesley for the cake, and thanks to all my family who came to make this is special day for me!

MAGA + Trump Winery
The countryside is spectacular.
View from the winery
View from the winery
Vineyard themed cake
The Cru is the only wine I liked.
Goodbye, 50s!
A topical gift!
Waiting for our tasting room.

One thought on “Happy Birthday to me!”

  1. What a wonderful birthday! I am really enjoying looking at all the pictures. Such interesting history and beautiful scenery! Beautiful family, too.

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