Charlottesville, VA

A friend once told me, "I don't need to write down my stories, they're all in mind. By remembering them, I edit them naturally." There's greatness in his method, but also a tragedy. His stories may never materialize. As much as I love lists in my daily life, I don't go by one when deciding where to visit next. I use his method and faith. Faith that somehow, without much coercion on my part, I'll materialize there. (Looks like I should impart the same faith in him.)

I had learned of Jefferson's Monticello years before my visit and had wanted to visit with a gusto that puzzled my colleague, "You do??"
"Yeah! He's like me, an artist with a day job." Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.


"Umm...the admission is $25. I don't want to pay $25 to make a dead white slave-owner richer. You should go, you've been wanting to see his home for a while."
"My god, you're totally right. No, let's try to sneak in. Worst case, we walk around the grounds."

Monticello is up there somewhere

Friends, this is why we need a variety of friends; for the same reason our country needs three branches of government -- checks and balances. One friend introduced the act, the other said, hold on, let's take a look at the bigger picture. I too might have a sterling career and a soul enriching hobby if I had slaves to take out the trash*, do the laundry**, or iron sheets***. She may have snapped me out of it, but Monticello's Secret Service security snapped us back in line. We had to settle for people watching at the cafe after skirting the grounds. My friend commented how even with the high admission rate, it seemed like there were more people visiting Monticello than the White House the previous day. I agreed, "I guess Charlottesville loves Jefferson more than Obama."

* Worst. chore. ever.

** I don't use logic when I claim this to be the second worst chore. 

*** As much of a neat-nick I am, thank god I didn't inherit the gene which compels me to do this. 

Length of Stay

Half a day

Docking Index

     

Five anchors, no hard feelings Mr. Jefferson. I gotta revisit your town again to find out why there were so many new cars in your parking lot. Higher base salaries? Or do only people with large disposable income come to visit you?