We have been back in the United States for a year. Hard to believe!
Before we even returned, I had asked the children what were some things they wanted to do while we were back in the States, before heading overseas again.
While in DC, they all said they wanted to visit George Washington's house, Mount Vernon, and to see all of the monuments on the National Mall.
Can do!
We hope one day, on another furlough, to visit a few other President's houses and to see many of the Smithsonian Museums. So, hold your hats for 2017-2018, because that will be on the itinerary!
We arrived at Mount Vernon first thing in the morning, after what had been a very busy Sunday. We had been in Maryland visiting our home congregation from 2004-2007 in the morning and then in Virginia visiting another church that was our home from 1998-2001.
Above is the front of Mount Vernon, when you walk up the lawn to get in line for the house tour.
This is the back of the house, overlooking the Potomac River.
The house center, that you saw above, has two walkways that connect to other wings. These would have housed servants and some cooking/kitchen space. I like how they are open and that the view of the river was always foremost in Washington's mind.
There is currently an archaeological dig going on that is looking at Washington's "kitchen trash." We were able to spend some time talking to the students about what they've been finding in the dirt.
There were exhibits that showed the different carriages and tool implements that Washington would have had at the time he lived.
Gwangi, checking out the pictures that he has taken.
Another one of Washington's carriages.
The flowers in the gardens and all around the walking grounds are very colorful.
I love magnolia trees.
Walking up to Washington's tomb.
There had just been a wreath ceremony when we arrived at the tomb.
There is still a working farm at Mount Vernon and the people there were very chatty and spent some time talking with us about what they were doing.
We got to learn about cows, oxen, steers, bulls, etc. and all about the hay they were putting in the wagon.
My Krypto.
Some information about Washington and his farming methods...definitely ahead of his time.
We got to walk down on the wharf a bit as well.
After our house tour and walking the grounds, I had made reservations for us to do a special tour, that just costs $5, but is limited to only 20 people at a time. The National Treasure Tour. Have you seen the two movies? I really enjoy them, as do the kids. Jeff says they are "ok," and I just smile.
The gentleman giving the tour talked quite a bit about the process of getting the movie filmed at Mount Vernon, all that Disney had to go through to protect the historic elements of the house and grounds, etc. We got to go in the basement where the characters go to find the secret tunnel. Gwangi was pretty disappointed there wasn't actually a tunnel...I didn't even think about preparing him for the Hollywood aspect of the movie vs. the tour.
The ice house and door that "Ben Gates" and the "President" walk out of in the National Treasure movie.
Inside the new museum (I say new, because it wasn't there the last time Indy and I were at Mount Vernon) there is an education center, and the kids got to do a bunch of fun hands on stuff, like play in a doll house size Mount Vernon. There were also excellent movies to watch, some with special effects like seats rumbling when the cannons go off, soap "snow" falling when Washington is at the Battle of Trenton, and real fog.
Sissi got to dress up, here she is telling me, "Wait, Mom! Don't take a picture yet, I still have my flip flops on. They don't match my costume."
My girl, getting her picture taken, ankles and hands crossed on lap.
One of the other fun things they got to work on, finding out how archaeologists put things back together that they find on the digs around Mount Vernon.
Building log cabins with Lincoln Logs :)...guess that one is a bit "early" for the Washington era, lol!
