A visit to Mr. Washington

I traveled to Mt. Vernon today. It is my second visit here, though the first one was 26 years ago. George Washington inherited this home from his half brother, Lawrence. He would add on the second story, as well as the wings on either end. This is where he always wanted to be, and when he retired at the end of the Revolutionary War, and at the end of his two terms as President, he quickly returned here.

The first picture is the Washington family, George, Martha, and two of Martha’s grandchildren. I believe the little girl is Nelly Custis. The little boy holding Washington’s hand is George Washington Parke Custis. These two were raised by George and Martha. The boy would grow up, build a big house overlooking Washington, D.C., and his daughter would marry Robert E. Lee. The house, obviously, is Mt. Vernon, and though this is the side you approach first as you come up to it today, it is actually the back of the house. The front of the house gives you the view shown in the panorama shot. That is the Potomac River, and on the far side is Maryland. The land there is a National Park, so as to prevent any development to ruin this view that is essentially unchanged from Washington’s time.

Other than that, it was a driving day. I am beginning to work (slowly) back towards home. I have a few more stops in Virginia, but by Monday or Tuesday, I’ll be in Tennessee (unless I have any problems with a Mr. Grayson). Happy Road-Tripping!