Mount Vernon

Today we rented a mini van (for $45 bucks! Though we wasted about 2 hours to get it and an inexpensive booster seat for Esther) and drove out to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home in Virginia. I know it was a place that Mike's mom really wanted to go, but it didn't really sit at the top of my must-see list. I'm so glad we went! It really is a beautiful and peaceful place, and made me think lots about this great (though imperfect) man who lead our country through its early growing pains. What a contrast to today's leaders, sadly. Washington was a reluctant leader, and wanted most of all to be a gentleman farmer. The majority of today's politicians seem to want to run for office more for the great power it gives them, and less for the opportunity to serve the American people.

Esther ran right up to the statues of George and Martha and their grandchildren to hold hands with the cute little (bronze) boy.

The house was interesting, but I thought the grounds were the best part. We walked down to the tomb that Washington, in his will, directed to be built. Leading up to it was a sign that requested respectful silence, and that just added to the austerity of the site.

Not far from the tomb was the monument to the slaves who lived and died on the farm and their supposed burial grounds, and I thought that was the most interesting place of all. The grave markers no longer exist, and it made me sad to think of the bodies of men and women buried there, with no real lasting record of their lives.

The last few photos are of the mansion at Mount Vernon. I thought it was funny to see the boys and Mike all taking a photo, but by the time I got the cameral out, they had moved on. Jason (who really enjoyed today) tells me that he got a picture of me taking pictures of them taking pictures of the mansion house. Esther is, of course, playing in the dirt.