US Trip Part 8 October 27 to November 4

Day 67 Thursday October 27
Wow, Gettysburg was almost overwhelming. We went to the visitors center and saw a movie and then a 360 degree display of the battle, both of which were very good. Next to the museum which showed many artifacts, both in general and personal items of individual soldiers and officers, inter-dispersed among the displays of the battle story line. Then we took the auto tour which went along the Confederate lines and then Union lines, with lots of monuments showing where various troops were stations as well as monuments to individual officers. It was relatively easy then to see the strategic positions of each side.
On Little Round Top where the Union Soldiers held the high ground. View the Confederates had of the high ground the Union forces held.

It was sad to see how many young men had died in the few days of battle. We then drove around town to look at some of the old houses where were around in the 1860’s as well as the train station where President Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg to give his famous address at the battlefield cemetery. A fun but sobering day.

Day 68 Friday October 28
We went to the post office after breakfast then come home and got the motor home ready to leave. We took hwy 116 West to hwy 16 to I81 South. Filled up with diesel just before getting on the freeway. The weather report called for possible snow as far down as Virginia so we decided to find a place to stay for a few day. Also we thought the area around Colonial Williamsburg would be crowded. Found a campground off I-64 south of Charlottesville, VA. On the way we got a good view of the Shenandoah mountains and crossed a pass through them. The leafs were past their prime but still pretty.

Day 69 Saturday October 29
Well we slept in late then went to Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello. It was cold and windy, burr. We toured the first floor and the basement. In the basement were work and storage areas. Here slaves cooked, did laundry, smoked meat, make beer and wine and took care of the horses. Between the house and garden was Mulberry Way were the slaves quarters and various shops to make barrel, carpentry and saw mill, and iron works. It was very interesting. No pictures were allowed inside the house. Lots of stuff was the actual things in the house when he lived there. Much was lost over time and a lot was sold off by the heirs. He had some interesting innovations in the house, much of it ideas from Europe when he was ambassador to France. Thomas Jefferson's grave (tall monument) and family cemetery.
Not only did he write the declaration of independence but was a scientist too, and interested in all kinds of area of human endeavor. I wonder what he would think of today’s society and government’s roll as it has become.

Day 70 Sunday October 30 Happy Birthday Jessica
Well we went West to do the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park through the Blue Ridge mountains but lo and behold it was closed because of last night’s now. So, off we went to visit President James Madison’s home just North of where we are staying in Charlottesville. He is considered the writer of the Constitution . He apparently spent a lot of time researching previous government types before doing his writing. The house is in the process of being restored to what it was like when Madison retired from political life. The DuPont family owned it for many years and sold it to a private foundation who is now the owners. The house tour was very good with lots of information about him and his family.

Day 71 Monday October 31 Happy Halloween
We left Charlottesville and continued East on I-64 along the tree lined freeway with lots of color in the leafs. We left the freeway at exit 231A and went South to the American Heritage RV camp just off the freeway. We settled into space 51. Ordered tickets for Colonial Williamsburg which were a special for seniors costing a day’s entrance fee good for the rest of the year.
Drove 122 miles today.

Day 72 Tuesday November 1
We went into colonial Williamsburg and listened to “George Washington” who gave a brief talk and then answered questions. We then walked around looking at various places. Went to the noon prayer service of the Bruton parish church built in 1715. It was here that all the public officials went to church on Sunday since it was mandatory as the Church of England had complete control of the government. It is obvious why Virginia was the seat of anti-state sponsored religion. In the afternoon, there was an outside play about the start of the American Revolution from the state of Virginia perspective. It was very fun and interesting. This is the powder magazine where the British Governor took all the powder in the middle of the night to keep the Virginian's from getting it.
The scene starts in front of the Charlton’s Coffee house where locals harass the British tax collector. The next scene is in front of a Raleigh tavern where locals tar and feather a man who favored the crown. It was in this tavern where the local House of Burgess met to draft the Virginia Declaration of Independence and Constitution which became the models for united colonies. The third scene at the Capital is the development of Declaration of Independence. Cool though sitting outside with a breeze and 55 degrees.

Day 73 Wednesday November 2
We went to hear Thomas Jefferson speak and answer questions. He was very good and entertaining. Next was the museum which started out in the first insane asylum in Virginia in the early 1700’s. The main museum was very incredible with lots of exhibits from the period of the revolution. Today’s outside play was the capture of Williamsburg by Benedict Arnold and the British. The next scene is in village green where Washington is exhorting his troops to march on Yorktown where the British were trapped. The local troops showed how they fired their muskets and cannons. Very fun.

Day 74 Thursday November 3
We went for a drive and headed to Jamestown where the first British colony was established in 1607. We just drove around looking at the scenery and will come back here later. We stopped at the grocery store on the way home.

Day 75 Friday November 4
Today was kick back day. I read and Judy knitted. In the afternoon we went to the Williamsburg Pottery and found out it was a huge complex that was slowly reducing inventory in anticipation of moving to a new set of stores. Not much pottery and it was seconds. Disappointing. Had a nice meat loaf dinner.