The Other Mount Vernon

I thought we’d be able to visit the homes of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson today, but when I popped in the addresses on the GPS, I realized that wasn’t going to happen.  Monticello, Jefferson’s home, is over two hours south from where we are.  Washington’s home at Mount Vernon is only about thirty minutes away, so we spent the bulk of our day there, which was necessary anyway to see all there was to see.

Kory and I had been to Mount Vernon before, but this trip is for Kaleb, so we went again.  The house is nearly the same (note the huge pecan tree next to it, above), but in the last few decades they have built an impressive museum and education center with several short films that explain very well his life and accomplishments.  I learned a few new things and walked away more than impressed with the man.   He did own 316 slaves however, mostly because he owned 8,000 acres and had an average of 650 guests per year visit his home, but in his will he set all his slaves free in 1799, so that was something - a man ahead of his time in many ways.  (See photo of slave quarters below.)

Kaleb was mildly interested in even being there.  If we didn’t live in Mount Vernon, Washington, I’m sure he could have cared less, but he appreciated the connection we have to that place simply based on our mailing address.  As for touring the house and seeing period furniture and costumes, he was bored by it all.  He did enjoy discovering the clever strategies Washington used in battle and it seemed obvious to us that God’s hand was upon Washington his whole life.  The museum even had some Bible verses posted on the wall and had a short film about how religion played an important part of Washington’s life.  He always prayed before he entered battle – sometimes the whole night before.  Loved it.

The weather was perfect again today, even though lightening and thunder came in the night, everything was cleared up by this morning.

We drove on through the city of Mount Vernon on our way to Alexandria, just next door.  The father to Caleb Kitchen, my ancestor from Rockville, Maryland where we are staying now, grew up across the state line in Alexandria.  His father and grandfather also lived there in Fairfax County, Virginia, so I had to touch those roots too while we are here.

Historic Alexandria is quite the tourist destination as it has block after block of buildings from the Colonial days still standing.  The feel of the downtown area is quite historic and just walking on the brick lined sidewalks and cobblestone streets make it easy to imagine how it was two hundred years ago.  I thought it was a real treat to just stroll the lanes and see the houses all lined up, but Kaleb kept his nose in a magazine and read while we walked down block after block.  The meaning was lost on him.  I could have stayed a whole day and explored every street and alley.  Kaleb wanted to leave.

An old college buddy of mine, Don, lives in Alexandria, just outside the historic district.  He and his wife, Cheryl, invited us over to dinner tonight so we drove over to his house for a wonderful evening.  His wife is a professional caterer and it was so nice to eat a yummy home cooked meal.  Don provided all the lively conversation for the night and I was able to get caught up on some of our mutual acquaintances.  Cheryl is a member of the local school board and they both rub shoulders with the rich in powerful in this corner of the world, so hearing what their life is like was just surreal.  Their three kids are all geniuses but totally humble and kind.  Their 17-year old daughter engaged Kaleb in quite the long conversation all evening.  They had much in common and it was funny how chatty they were.  I wish we all had more time together, but we just have to be thankful for what we had.

I was relieved we drove back so late in the night since the freeways weren’t crowded.  I’ve heard so many stories about how bad the traffic is on the “Beltway” – the freeway that encircles the Capital - but we’ve managed to avoid traffic just by the odd hours we’ve been out and about.  It was still a white-knuckle drive because of my lack of confidence in the GPS but it got us back to the hotel by midnight. 

It was another great day, for which I feel very blessed.