Jefferson's Virginia

I really was there!

Friday, someone referenced being glad they had the opportunity to live in a small town (read: Danville) for the summer. Quickly, I interjected that this was no small town for me. The population that I am akin to being surrounded by just increased 7 fold. However, this still does not add tons and tons of entertainment options to the list of things to do. In a way, I feel bad saying that, because it adds to the prevalent mentality that "There's nothing to do in Danville." This attitude is much of the reason that young Danville natives scurry to nearby Greensboro or Chapel Hill to spend the weekends and Washington, D.C. and Charlotte to start their careers. However, the facts are the facts. I can't say I blame those wanting to escape the life here. I do believe that the bones for an amazing town exist here (and that can't be said for every locality), but that is for another post entirely.

So, early Saturday morning, I packed a bag of snacks, grabbed a Diet Dr Pepper and hit Highway 29 to Charlottesville, Virginia for a day trip. Yes, yes, this is the home of the University of Virginia (with whom I am not happy currently after their wins over Ole Miss's baseball team). It is also where Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is located. These two attractions are entirely of Jefferson's design and exhibit his genius and ample self-taught skills in architecture.

The most prominent thought in my head as I drove back to Danville was how inspired I was by the intellect of a man who has been dead for nearly two hundred years. Jefferson read through his 8,000 volume library in Italian, Spanish, French, Old English, Greek, and of course English; he wrote letters every morning, over 19,000 of which are currently archived (he made copies--brilliant!); he kept learning throughout his life, never imposing a limit on the capability of his mind. On top of this, he served innumerable government and civilian positions, most importantly by being our 3rd President. And here am I, a 19 year old able bodied person who lets an 8-5 job take the life out of me. I think after a visit to Jefferson's Virginia, I might be able to find another source of inspiration.

One of the many bookstores around the Charlottesville area.

Charlottesville's downtown outdoor mall

Historic Court Square- Notice the beautiful mountain view between the buildings

Jefferson's Rotunda and flanking Academical Village at the University of Virginia

Monticello's vegetable gardens on the side of Jefferson's "little mountain"

Jefferson wrote the inscription on his tombstone. Note there is no mention of his holding the highest office in the United States, that of President; his proudest accomplishments are evident on this. (The family cemetery is on the grounds of Monticello and his descendants continue to be buried there)

The gardens were absolutely beautiful, and this is only a snapshot of the flowers
The most photographed view of Monticello, although it is the back side