On Friday, 10/08/21, we picked up the rental car we’d reserved at Enterprise, where we were assigned a bright blue Nissan Kicks to drive. We stopped at CVS for supplies and our annual flu vaccinations, then went to Bank of America to pick up another allotment of $5 bills (marina tip money), then Steve dropped me off at Hobby Lobby for a fix and to pick-up Christmas crafting supplies. Errands completed, we enjoyed lunch at Kingfisher’s on Solomon’s Island, before heading back to Legacy’s tie-up on K Dock at Zahniser’s Marina.
Where we enjoyed lunch on Friday afternoon, 10/08/21, in Solomon’s Island, MD.
Unfortunately that evening, I began to feel poorly again, and we realized I’d probably made a mistake getting my flu shot while I was still suffering the effects of bronchitis. By the time I went to bed, I began to worry I might be in for yet another trip to the local ER! 🙁 The next morning I felt better, but still really weak and tired, so we put our planned road-trip to George Washington’s Mount Vernon off a day, and instead stayed in Solomon’s Island for dinner at the well-reviewed Bugeye Grill.
Our choice for dinner on Saturday, 10/09/21, even though I felt less than 100%…
On Sunday morning, 10/10/21, I felt much improved, so we drove our little Nissan Kicks a bit over an hour, down to Mount Vernon, VA. As with most of our stops on this journey, I fell in love with the beautiful hills and valleys surrounding Mount Vernon, and the grounds were equally exquisite. We picked a nice, fall day for our trip, so the weather only enhanced the romance of our visit. Since we arrived at lunch time, we stopped in for brunch at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. Much to my delight, I learned that George Washington had an avid interest in gardening and botany. I don’t recall ever learning this fact in school about the father of our country! A large portion of the property near the main house was walled off and specifically allotted to Washington’s own garden, which once served to feed the residents and staff of Mount Vernon. Several enormous trees still gracing the Mount Vernon estate are said to have been planted by George Washington himself, which means they are centuries old.
Entrance gate into Mount Vernon historical landmark.Where we enjoyed an “historical” lunch on Sunday, 10/10/21, prior to touring the grounds and house at Mount Vernon.The mural on the wall of the restaurant, directly above our table.We learned that Mount Vernon actually fell into disrepair after Washington’s death in 1799, but was rescued and refurbished by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which opened it to the public for tours in 1860. Now, 162 years later, Mount Vernon is the most visited historic home in America.Even though the house was captivating, I was surprised by its modesty, especially compared to the elaborate mansions we’d toured earlier on this trip. But at the time of its construction, this house was ten times the size of the average home in colonial Virginia.The surrounding grounds are still bucolic and kept well-manicured…The Mount Vernon landmark encompasses about 200 acres of land.Mount Vernon’s onsite orchard.Not surprisingly, I was enthralled with the lovely and extensive gardens at Mount Vernon, much of which are walled-off and directly adjacent to the house.We’ve all heard of Washington apples… Well, apparently there are also Washington pomegranates! 😉Scenes of Mount Vernon’s gardens…George Washington traveled extensively, and is reputed to have carried specimens of plants from all over the world back to be planted in his gardens at Mount Vernon. (Obviously, US customs were more lax back in the day!) This Tulip Poplar tree at Mount Vernon is said to have been planted by George Washington, himself. AMAZING.While obviously awhile after Washington’s time, this massive Cedar of Lebanon tree is estimated to have been planted next to the Washingtons’ grave site in 1899.
A large group of us toured the mansion and surrounding out-buildings. Originally inheriting the property and the meager beginnings of the house from his father, George Washington greatly expanded the house and grounds, deeming it the perfect location, situated high on a hill, overlooking panoramic views of the mighty Potomac River. Surprisingly, tour guests are allowed to actually touch the original wooden banisters along the stairways of the mansion, which put Steve and I in mind that we were touching thevery same banisters once touched by the very first president of the United States, not to mention the many dignitaries of the day who visited Washington and his family.
The main house is flanked by outbuildings on both sides.This lovely portico connects the main house to several of Mount Vernon’s outbuildings.Mount Vernon’s kitchen is located in an outbuilding not attached to the main house, both for safety and comfort concerns.Standing in line for entry into the main house.Mount Vernon’s parlor. Much of the home’s furnishings are said to be original, refurbished pieces, or exact replicas of that which was used by Washington and his family.Bright paint colors on the walls and elaborately-decorated ceilings were very much in style during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were an indication of the wealth of a home’s inhabitant. Here is Mount Vernon’s dining room. Martha Washington’s bedroom.Surprisingly enough, this small, ordinary desk, accessories, and surrounding office are what the father of our country used, when working from Mount Vernon!As with all expensive homes constructed in the 18th century, any woodworking was totally hand-carved.George Washington’s bedroom, and the actual bed he is said to have died in, at the age of 67. On December 12, 1799, George Washington rode horseback around his estate in cold, rainy conditions, wearing his damp clothing for most of that day and night. He developed a sore throat during the night, and by the next evening had become gravely more ill. At the time, blood-letting was believed to remove toxins from the blood, so by the time Washington died on December 14th, he had reputedly lost 40% of his blood. Washington knew his death was impending and made sure his household had his will in hand, and gave them his own burial instructions just hours before his demise. Though no definitive cause of death has ever been reached, today’s doctors believe Washington died from acute epiglottitis, and not from the blood-letting.A portion of Washington’s home library. George was a self-taught man, obtaining most of his later knowledge from the massive number of books he read during his life, rather than attending colleges or universities like his counterparts.This painting and the one below are said to have actually hung in the parlor of Mount Vernon, during the time the Washingtons lived there.An iconic painting of General George Washington with his white war horse named Blueskin. (Washington’s most beloved horse was a chestnut stallion named Nelson.) The above painting is entitled Washington at Verplanck’s Point, was painted by artist, John Trumbull, in 1790, and currently hangs in Mount Vernon’s parlor.This interior door is original to George Washington’s time.The facade of Mount Vernon’s exterior was created using a process called rustication, which made regular pine siding boards appear to be sandstone. Indeed, Mount Vernon’s placement, overlooking the mighty Potomac River, is located in a prime location.View from Mount Vernon’s expansive back porch.
Under some duress, Steve agreed to join me on the walk down the hill to George and Martha Washington’s tomb and back. Walking down was pleasant, and the views were lovely, but the very steep incline encountered on the return was another matter entirely. Once we caught our breaths from the climb, we were routed through an impressive onsite museum and the obligatory gift shop, before heading back to our car. We spent almost three hours exploring, learning, and thoroughly enjoying this very special monument, and once again I felt grateful that such a place had been saved, restored, maintained, and is still readily available for all of us to enjoy today and in the future.
The grand but somber grave site for George and Martha Washington (her tomb is located just inside the gate on the left-hand side) was specified by Washington in his will. During our tour, we learned that Washington’s will also stated that all of Mount Vernon’s slaves were to be freed upon his death, unless Martha survived him, in which case they were to be freed upon her death. Reportedly, Martha ultimately decided not to wait, freeing the slaves immediately, as she feared for her life, otherwise.Inside the tasteful George Washington museum that now stands on the grounds of Mount Vernon.A magnificent stained glass exhibit in the museum depicts the story of George Washington’s life.
On Monday, 10/11/21, our formerly beautiful weather gave way to clouds, mist, and chilly air. Steve returned our rental car to Enterprise while I stayed aboard and defrosted our tiny boat refrigerator – a multi-hour project.
