Monticello

Here's our crew in front of Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. We enjoyed a meal of "midday fare" (fried chicken, rolls, cornbread, pulled pork, potato salad, cold green beans, and stewed tomatoes) on pewter plates at Michie's Tavern near Charlottesville, VA just before driving to Monticello. Emma was pleased with our guide, who allowed the kids to touch several items she carried in a basket throughout the house. Mom and Dad were very grateful with the focus she placed on the children in the group. We also gave thanks that day for the cashier at the General Store at Michie's Tavern. They give out a Treasure Hunt to the children, who receive gold chocolate coins upon completing it. Unfortunately, one section's answers could only be garnered by taking the $8 per person tour. We decided we'd just go buy Emma some coins in the general store after she'd completed the rest of the questions-- surely we could get them for a couple of dollars. When the cashier realized what we were doing and saw that Emma had completed all the "free" portions of the hunt, she congratulated her and gave her the bag of coins. She told Emma she appreciated the way she liked to learn and that she was a wise girl to watch her budget on vacation. God is good.