Lizzie (my friend from 6th grade) and her husband Jimmy met us in Charlottesville. It was her birthday (gee, Lizzie, are we really THAT old now???) and Jimmy wanted to get her out of New Jersey. I was unable to get them a room at our B&B, but found a space for them west of Charlottesville out in the countryside, Sugar Hollow Farm. We have discovered we do not have any photos, but here is the website link for you. http://www.sugarhollow.com/
Years ago, the kids and I spent a weekend in Charlottesville. We ate lunch at Michie Tavern and toured Monticello.
When I planned this summer's vacation and determined that Graham had never been to Monticello I knew we had to go there.
Designed by Thomas Jefferson, it really is a lovely museum dedicated to his inventiveness. He was constantly making changes to the house itself as well as the farm.
He designed a clock, placed in his front foyer where visitors waited, that needed to be wound only once a week. The foyer was full of artifacts of interest, such as Native American articles, brought back by the Lewis and Clark expedition, as well as fossilized bones of ancient animals. People who arrived to visit Jefferson uninvited often had to wait a long time to see him, so he wanted them to have something to keep their interest during that time.
The grounds are lovely. The gardens lush with plants we knew and some we don't typically grow, like sesame. Perhaps my only issue is how the tours are run. Because Monticello is a popular tourist spot, they have worked it out to have tours start every ten minutes in the busy summer months. Each tour group has about 20 people, and the docent moves the group from room to room so quickly and each room is so full, there is not really enough time to listen and then look at all the interesting items. Also, interior photography is not permitted, so if you want to see Jefferson's invention of a copy machine, you will have to take the tour.
So when I see something done that takes a prevalent problem-like how downtown areas in cities seem to have fsailed because of suburban malls-and makes it something that really works, I sit up and take notice.
About 30 years ago, Charlottesville took about six blocks of Main Street and bricked it over, making a pedestrian mall. They must have planted pretty large trees at that time, because the trees in the middle of the promenade are very large now.
They have a wall that is essentially an outdoor blackboard, called the First Admendment Wall. Anyone can write anything (except the request for no profanity) on it. We noticed no graffiti anywhere else.
One end of the pedestrian mall is anchored by a large covered ampitheater for outdoor concerts or presentations.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing we saw was PEOPLE!!!! This was a Sunday evening and there were about 15 restaurants doing a brisk business with indoor and outdoor seating available. There was only one shop open and if you know me, you know I was not shy about chatting with the merchant. She said she tends to be the only one who stays open as late as 9pm on Sundays, but the other evenings most of the shops are open. The first Friday of each month the art galleries change exhibits and it has become the place to go, with wine and cheese and other refreshments available.
This is a lovely B&B located in a tranquil area..a great place to relax and find a sense of peace.
We stayed at a nice B&B as well, the Silver Thatch Inn. It started its life as a prison for Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary War. They have seven room
s, each one named for one of Virginia's own that went on to become President. (Now we will see who among you are Presidential buffs and tell me something interesting about that.)
s, each one named for one of Virginia's own that went on to become President. (Now we will see who among you are Presidential buffs and tell me something interesting about that.)
Years ago, the kids and I spent a weekend in Charlottesville. We ate lunch at Michie Tavern and toured Monticello.
When I planned this summer's vacation and determined that Graham had never been to Monticello I knew we had to go there.
Designed by Thomas Jefferson, it really is a lovely museum dedicated to his inventiveness. He was constantly making changes to the house itself as well as the farm.For example, the walls are very thick, so instead of having the beds in the room taking up a large portion of the floor space, the beds at Monticello are actually built into alcoves in the wall. Jefferson's bed is located in the wall with openings to his office on one side and his dressing room on the other. The space is 6 feet 3 inches long. The man stood 6 foot 2.
He designed a clock, placed in his front foyer where visitors waited, that needed to be wound only once a week. The foyer was full of artifacts of interest, such as Native American articles, brought back by the Lewis and Clark expedition, as well as fossilized bones of ancient animals. People who arrived to visit Jefferson uninvited often had to wait a long time to see him, so he wanted them to have something to keep their interest during that time.The grounds are lovely. The gardens lush with plants we knew and some we don't typically grow, like sesame. Perhaps my only issue is how the tours are run. Because Monticello is a popular tourist spot, they have worked it out to have tours start every ten minutes in the busy summer months. Each tour group has about 20 people, and the docent moves the group from room to room so quickly and each room is so full, there is not really enough time to listen and then look at all the interesting items. Also, interior photography is not permitted, so if you want to see Jefferson's invention of a copy machine, you will have to take the tour.
I've had a varied working career, but my university degree in is geography and urban planning. When I was in high school the new towns of Columbia, Maryland and Reston, Virginia had just been built and the concept of designing a city to incorporate all aspects of mixed use-houses, businesses and factories-so things work well together and perhaps there will be fewer conflicts-seemed very appealing.
So when I see something done that takes a prevalent problem-like how downtown areas in cities seem to have fsailed because of suburban malls-and makes it something that really works, I sit up and take notice.About 30 years ago, Charlottesville took about six blocks of Main Street and bricked it over, making a pedestrian mall. They must have planted pretty large trees at that time, because the trees in the middle of the promenade are very large now.
The mall is bordered by shops, restaurants, and offices. There were a few signs of residences above but not as many as I would have thought.
They have a wall that is essentially an outdoor blackboard, called the First Admendment Wall. Anyone can write anything (except the request for no profanity) on it. We noticed no graffiti anywhere else.
One end of the pedestrian mall is anchored by a large covered ampitheater for outdoor concerts or presentations.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing we saw was PEOPLE!!!! This was a Sunday evening and there were about 15 restaurants doing a brisk business with indoor and outdoor seating available. There was only one shop open and if you know me, you know I was not shy about chatting with the merchant. She said she tends to be the only one who stays open as late as 9pm on Sundays, but the other evenings most of the shops are open. The first Friday of each month the art galleries change exhibits and it has become the place to go, with wine and cheese and other refreshments available.
It has turned out to be a very viable project. While we saw some vacant storefronts, the shopkeeper we spoke with said there are always new shops opening. During the school year, when the University of Virginia students are there, the mall is full of people each evening.
Great going Charlottesville!
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