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Today, we went to Mt. Vernon, which was, of course, the home of George and Martha Washington. The estate is absolutely beautiful; it sits right on the shores of the Potomac, about 30 miles or so south of DC.
Here are a few of the things we did:
- Started with a 20-minute orientation movie
- Went on a tour of the main house
- Saw George Washington's tomb
- Had lunch in the restaurant (we highly recommend the peanut and chestnut soup and the chicken pot pie—even the lima beans were good)
- Left a lot of our money in their gift shop
- Walked through the Education Center and Museum
We learned a lot about him, but the thing I remember the most is how central he was to the formation of the new country. I don’t think I ever really understood that. He was appointed the Commander in Chief of the army for the Revolutionary War, and, when it was finally won, he was revered as a hero, and some wanted to crown him king. But he resigned his commission and turned power back to the civilian congress. He went back to Mt. Vernon to be with Martha and to run his estate.
When he was elected president in 1789, he served two terms and left public life forever. He went back to Mt. Vernon and died only two years later.
There was a lot more to see there, and if you’re so inclined, we recommend visiting. But I’ve bordered on a history lesson here, and I’m afraid you’ll get so bored that you’ll fall asleep. And since many of you are reading this while you drive home from work, I wouldn’t want you falling asleep while you drive.
So I’ll tell you a joke. That should wake you up.
Here goes. You ready?
Why did the chicken cross the road? TO KEEP HIS SUSPENDERS UP!
Wait. I’m not sure I told that correctly. I think I bored myself to sleep.
- comments
David Bill you are a braver man than I. You ate a Lima bean.I say they are like eating chalk. Some really old, green chalk.
Trish Hi kids! I'm so glad you went to see Mt. Vernon ~ it's on my bucket list so thank you for the history lesson and pictures. When I do go one day, I'm going to skip the lima beans, however. I grew up happily giving all of my lima beans to my sister who LOVED them! :-)))
Rich If you want to know more about George, read 1776. Barbara, didn't we read this together? The book ends with George about to loose the war. Seems to me something happend in 1777 to make a difference, but the book just ended there on the verge of defeat. Perhaps the author intends to publish 1777. Or did I miss it.
laurel okay--about lima beans--have you ever eaten FRESH LIMA BEANS--they are really good--I would not touch the ones in the can (I agree that they're like eating chalk) or for that matter frozen ones but believe me the fresh ones we grew one year were delicious.
Shannon I like how the most interesting/talked about item here is the lima beans...lol