Charlottesville Virginia, the Skyline Drive and Winchester 19 May

After our second day on the Blue Ridge Parkway we stayed in the pretty university town of Charlottesville, founded in 1762, so we could visit Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

When we arrive in the town we found they were having a big party for commencement, or graduation.

This is the concert stage.

Next day we visited Monticello, the World Heritage Plantation home of Thomas Jefferson, writer of the Declaration of Independence and the Third President.  Jefferson traveled overseas a lot and designed this house himself, in part based on Palladio's principles.

He also designed the inside, with many innovative ideas.  Unfortunately we couldn't take any photos inside, but it was really lovely, especially his tearoom.

He had beautiful grounds, including a vineyard (and sadly lots of slaves to take care of  them).

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Veggie gardens.

Poppies in the flower gardens.

Thomas Jefferson was very interested in science and many other scholarly pursuits, including instruments for observing, measuring and recording nature.  This is the indicator of wind direction, mounted in the entry porch and connected with a wind vane on the roof.

Bill by the sundial.

We seem to be meeting up with Thomas where ever we go.

An historic tavern just outside Monticello.

A building in the University of Virginia which was also designed by Thomas Jefferson.

The narrow Skyline Drive on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shandoah National Park, goes for 105 miles and we followed most of it after we visited Monticello, on the way to our next stop, Winchester.

The trees in this part of the Blue Ridge Mountains seem softer.  They are predominantly various species of oaks and the altitude is lower.

View from an overlook.

More tunnels.

A railway line.

We arrived in Winchester just in time for dinner.  Winchester was settled by Quakers in 1732 and  the area was the scene of many battles in the Civil War, being in the hands of both sides at various stages.  Also home to Patsy Cline!  This is their library.

There are many Georgian looking homes in the old town.  It reminds you of many English towns and in fact we ate at an "English pub restaurant".

This building was the old Court House and was used as a hospital and a temporary prison by both side during the Civil War. 

A Winchester street scene!

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