Virginia

Our first stop was in Staunton, Va. 
The birthplace of Woodrow Wilson and
the site of his library and museum.

The birthplace was a Presbyterian Manse. 

 He spent only a year here, but the guide said

that is was his most formative year!

Staunton was the geographical center of Virginia before the

WV split and was very politically and finincially important.

You can tell from the architecture stlye and the number

of buildings that are equally as impressive as this one throughout town.

All of the churches downtown were impressive.

Nearing Brock's Gap, we had to stop and photograph

Judy and the sign.

We ran across a general store that was a gem.

The present owner's wife did geneology of the "Gap".

She was not available to us, but her husband was able

to share with us and provided much interesting information.

Judy is the great, great, great, great, great, great,

 great, great, great, granddaughter

 of Hini Brock, whom we think the gap was named after.

There was even a service station there--now a

"one of the ten best roadhouses in VA!"

You can buy both whiskey and guns here--we didn't but did visit.

This is Judy imitating a Brock's gap

"tradition" of  a headstand on top

of Chimney Rock at the entrance to the gap.

In a neaby town (Dayton), we found a historical society

that gave us infoormation to find a book called

A BROCK FAMILY HISTORY

by Robert L. Brock.

We viewed the book for several minutes and decided to

try to find a copy.  We found a used copy at Amazon

for $343.00

We are now emailing the author to see

 if he has one more to sell to a family member.

Next stop--Charlottesville where our third, fourth and fifth

 presidents worked and socialized.

Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

The garden at Jefferson's Monticello.

The grounds were beautiful and free to tour.  The house

was interesting and a must, but an expensive guided tour.

So we took lots of pictures.

Something new for us!

Judy's in trouble again--picking Tom's tomatoes.

YUM.

With our third president and author of the

Declaration of Independence.

On the lane to Ash Lawn, the home of James Monroe.

We toured this house and grounds also.

The last time through this area, we toured

 James and Dolly Madison's home.

This is Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest home.

It is near Lynchburg and built on inherited property from his inlaws.

This is the house he called a retreat where he came

when it got too hectic at Monticello.

Another view. 

Back at our park--of course there was grilling.

And pickleball with new friends, Jim and Terry.

This couple was taught the game by Henry (not pictured),

who we met in Washington in 2007. 

Henry also joined in the games.

And with old friends, Julie and Bob. 

We met this couple at Peace River in Florida in the winter of 2005-06.  We

occasionally run into them on the courts throughout the country.

We also enjoyed playing Euchre, Oh Hell!, and had a couple of

wonderful dinners with them.  See you on the road, guys!

"Give me liberty or give me death."

Patrick Henry's last home and burial site.

Judy, signing some proclaimation in Henry's law office.

Meanwhile, Dennis is doing the hard labor in the blacksmith's shop.

The three of us.

 

We were diverted from Chesapeke Bay TT because of tropical storm damage

to an Outdoor World Resort in Williamsburg.

We've toured this area before and were happy to see

some of the sights again.  Here is a collage of the historical area.

We nearly had the place to ourselves this evening.
Heading to the Outer Banks in the morning.