Arrived in Lexington VA, hoping to celebrate the 4^th there.  Just missed getting a balloon ride at VMI when the skies opened up with sheets of rain. Did, however, stop by the Lee Chapel on the Washington & Lee campus.  Knew very little about what happened to the General after the war and found out he became president of Washington College, originally funded by George .  It was destroyed by General Hunter during the war because it had the misfortune to be situated next to VMI, the southern military school.  Lee was responsible for rebuilding it and expanding its curriculum to include journalism, commerce, law & engineering. Plans were afoot to add astronomy and medicine before he died.  He was very well-liked and respected by both northerners and southerners and received much of the college’s financial support from northern donors.  When his bust sculptor said he prided himself on not working for any northerners, Lee replied, “We’re all Americans, now”.  He (and his family) are interred there.  At his wife’s request, he’s shown resting on the battlefield with his men, not the practice of most generals but something he was known to do. 

Still raining so back on the Parkway and thru the George Washington National Forest.  Arrived in Charlottesville, watched fireworks from my motel and spent the following morning at Montecello. Missed the huge crowd for the annual 4^th of July ceremony swearing-in of our newest citizens. Had heard about the inventiveness of our Declaration of Independence author but seeing them implemented in the house was something else.  There’s a 7 day clock in the foyer facing inside and out that operates on weights.  You can follow the days of the week on the wall.  He ran out of wall so the weights have to drop thru holes drilled in the floor.  Took the skylight idea from his stay in France and incorporated it into several rooms.  No wasted space, his bed is tucked into an arched alcove between his office and bedroom.  Great air circulation and just roll out of bed and you’re ready to work. Met a teacher from Florida who’s traveling solo during the summer on the Harley she bought 6 years ago.  Now that’s an adventurer!

Next, it was Ash-Lawn Hill, home of James Monroe – just down the road from Jefferson’s.    He presided over the “Era of Good Feeling” after the War of 1812 and his Monroe Doctrine served notice to European countries that hands would be slapped if they tried to insert themselves into US holdings. Managed to pick up Florida from the Spanish, too.

Also stopped by the Michie Tavern.  
You can buy a pass that gives you admission into all three and a discount on 2 other sites.  Saw the room where 3 fully clothed travelers would share a bed and got a Colonial dance lesson from our guide.

Crossed back to Staunton to see the Woodrow Wilson birthplace (can’t waste that discount).  He was the son of a minister and our only PhD  president.  Remarkably, there’s evidence he was dyslexic as he wasn’t able to read until he was almost 11 and developed a type of shorthand to take notes.  He did everything possible to stay out of the war but when the Germans began sinking our ships, the gloves came off.  Afterwards, he tried to convince Congress to join the League of Nations in hopes we could talk before getting mired in other conflicts.  Congress said “no” so he went on the road to try and sell it to the people.  Suffered a stroke in Colorado and the rumor was Mrs. Wilson ran things after that.

Back up into the mountains, this time on Skyline Drive.  It’s the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but is entirely National Park (with National Park fees)  Haven’t mentioned how valuable my senior park pass has been.  Huge savings.  It was raining pretty hard but there are so many trees it took a while for it to get down to the road.  Seemed strange to be in a downpour but look across the valley and see sunshine.

Next was Harpers Ferry.  Not sure what I expected but whatever it was, didn’t do it justice.  The meeting of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers played a large part in much of our history.  Washington established an arsenal here and Merriweather Lewis stopped off to gather weapons for his trip. And then there was John Brown.  Brown had the right idea but went about it the wrong way. He was a religious zealot and was known to shoot

slave owners then chop them into bits and pieces.  Not a good way to attract people to your point of view.  When he attacked Harpers Ferry, Col. Robert E Lee was called in from Texas to put down the insurrection.  Brown was arrested and hanged but his actions brought  the issue of slavery issue front and center to the nation. Since it was the 2^nd largest ammunition and artillery plant, it became a a punching bag during the Civil War.  It changed hands between 7-11 times and 23,000 people died. There’s a huge area that tells the story of the town battle, some beautifully restored buildings and climbs to breath-taking (literally) views.   It’s a combination National Park, Harpers Ferry Historic Village and part of the Appalachian Trail.

Visited Antietam, the bloodiest one-day battle of the war. Hard to believe this beautiful countryside was the scene of such carnage.

On the way to Montpelier, Patience stopped off for her 40,000 mile check-up & pronounced fit to continue the journey.  Montpelier was home of the person most responsible for our Constitution, James Madison.  In opposition to the prevailing biblical-based education style, Madison’s teachers were products of the Enlightenment.  He was a quiet but dedicated student, mastering 7 languages.  The Articles of Confederation weren’t doing the job and a constitutional convention was called.  Only 2 state representatives showed up so Madison tucked himself away in his home library the following year and studied every resource he could find on self-government.  The following year, he called another convention and convinced George Washington to be the guest of honor.  Everyone attended and Madison presented his work, which included the 3 branches of government and the Bill of Rights..  Can’t leave Madison without mentioning Dolly.  As I said, he was quiet and shy but she was the networking politician.  When he ran for president, his opponent said he could have beaten Mr. Madison but not Mr. & Mrs. Madison.

More Virginia, Maryland, Delaware & DC to come.