We (Val, Mx and I) took a 2 hour drive down to Charlottesville to visit Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. The countryside was the nicest we've seen yet and the route took us over the Blue Ridge Mountains. It reminded me of England (the nice bits), it had the same colours - green grass and the changing foliage in the fall.
Monticello is set on a hilltop and for $13 you get a tour of the house, gardens and plantation. You can tell why Jefferson chose this spot to build his home. It's a beautiful setting, with lovely grounds and stunning views.
Jefferson was the third president of the United States and is held in high regard by Americans. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. He was obviously a very clever man and you can see that in his home, as you can see the European influence in it.
This is not normally my thing, but it was a pleasant way to spend a day and I learnt a lot, again because of the informative tour guides who obviously enjoy their jobs.
