Casey and I took a day trip to Charlottesville, Va., to visit Monticello recently. It was a beautiful October day with trees changing colors, blue skies and 76 degree weather.
Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, third president of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia.
What an amazing place! I loved the architecture of the house, something he designed, built and remodeled during a 40-year period, with sky lights, dome room, L-shaped terraces, underground passage with both wine and beer cellars etc.
I loved this indoor garden. I have a weakness for sun rooms and I loved how there are no doors but that the windows functions as the way in and out – you just pulled them up and out you go! I guess they didn’t need locks back then.
Beautiful fall leaves on these large trees.
He owned 5,000 acres of land and in the immediate surrounding there are amazing gardens and landscape, including the 1,000 feet long (300 meters) vegetable garden where he planted 330 varieties of more than 70 species of vegetables. And I thought I was really good with my one tomato plant this summer!
My friend DD is demonstrating how huge this cucumber is! DD is about 5’4! Unbelievable. This garden is the garden to envy. oh my.
Did I forget to mention the vineyard?
It really was an amazing day to spend with my husband and to have our friends join us. We fell in love with Monticello and Casey and I may just have to build a mini-Monticello one day. It was a slice of heaven.
“Knowledge is power, knowledge is safety, and knowledge is happiness.”
– Thomas Jefferson
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