Charlottesville, VA

This past week we spent one day and one night in Charlottesville. Believe it or not, I have ALWAYS wanted to go there, because it is where the Dave Matthews Band started. (I'm a huge fan, and have been for about 15 years). But I really didn't know what else there was to do there, so I of course turned to my handy book.

Turns out the Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, is in Charlottesville! With Darrel being the history buff he is, and our friend Craig matching his enthusiasm, we had to check it out. I honestly didn't know too much about Thomas Jefferson before going there, but I learned SO much in those few hours!

We started the day by having lunch at Michie's Tavern, practically on the Monticello property. It was a tavern built in the late 1700's, and the people who work there wear the clothing from that time period. Your only choice when you go in is to get the "homestyle buffet" with fried chicken, pulled pork, biscuits and gravy, beets, mashed potatoes, etc. The doors were so low in there that Darrel actually had to duck to get to the buffet! Another great thing about it was how authentic they kept things- the cups and plates looked like silver/pewter, and the tables and stools looked like they could have been originals.

After lunch, we decided to walk up the mountain (Monticello means "small mountain"). I think it was about a mile or so, but there was a path, and it was a really nice walk. It made you realize how expansive his property really was.

It was $20 to enter the grounds, and take the tour. I had no idea what an inventor he was! Just small things that made life in his house so much easier. He had a dumb waiter pulley system that went from the basement to a side compartment of the dining room fireplace so the slaves could pass wine up for dinner, he had a pulley system on his French doors so that when you opened one, the other one automatically opened, he made clocks, and a ton of other interesting things. We learned about is life, family, and property (including over 100 slaves). We were then able to walk around and check out the family cemetery and the grounds. Darrel and I of course had to take a picture in front of the house, because it is on the nickel!

Charlottesville is not a place you just happen to go to for vacation, but seeing Monticello is absolutely worth it if you happen to be close by!

That night, a few of us went to the bar where Dave Matthews used to bar tend, and met the rest of the band. Heavenly!! :)