Category: Local

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!