SUMERDUCK, VA.  Visited my cousin, Jeffrey Parker, and his father, my Uncle L. W. Parker.  Jeff is the Circuit Judge for Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties.

Jeff's driveway is lined with Bradford Pear trees, planted by him and his father.  It is an attractive driveway, but treacherous for a type A motorhome to enter.  Jeff had to saw off some limbs to allow the motorhome to pass unscathed.  We eventually got it set up for the night in front of his garage.

Bradford Pear-lined Driveway

Home for the Night

That night, Halloween evening, we visited with the family of one of Jeff's sons.  Sorry, no photos of that, but prior to that Jeff took us on a quicky tour of where he works, where we got a couple photos.  One photo was of the plane my uncle flew during World War II, along with images of my uncle and aunt in their wartime uniforms.

Jeff's Seat at Work

The Plane and World War II Images of Jeff's Parents

The following morning we visited with my uncle in the rest home where he lives.  The rest home is run by Mennonites, a very neat and clean place for him to live.

Jeff and Uncle Levin

After that Jeff had to leave to catch a plane to Michigan where his wife had already gone to attend her sister's funeral.  Jeff dropped us off at his house, where we got to work turning the motorhome around to head back out the driveway.  Interesting task.  We managed to squeeze on out very slowly.

Tight Fit On the Way Out

Just About Out

KEYSVILLE, VA.  Oct 29 and 30.  Spent two days here visiting my cousin and his family.  R. B. Clark, Jr has lived here all his life and now has an extended family including 15 grandchildren.  For many years he was the County Administrator of Charlotte County, VA, retiring just a few months ago.  He took us on a tour of the high points of that county, including the building where he used to work, now named in his honor.  The original courthouse in the town of Charlotte Court House was the last one designed by and visited by Thomas Jefferson in 1823, 3 years before his death.

Administration Building Where R. B. Served Charlotte County

Plaque Inside Charlotte County Courthouse

Historic Courthouse Building Designed by Thomas Jefferson

Historic Marker Outside Old Courthouse Building

Historic Briery Church in Nearby County

Briery Church Historic Place Plaque

Roses Still in Bloom on Halloween Outside RB's House

Motorhome Has A Nice Parking Spot Next Door

R. B. and Vicky Outside His House As We Bid Goodbye

Steven and Betty (left)
with Russel B. Clark III, Vicky, and Two Grandchildren

SPOUT SPRING, VA Day 3. Worshiped at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg.  After church we drove to Poplar Forest and then to Natural Bridge State Park. 

Grace OPC had been meeting in a local school until a few years ago when a Disciples of Christ congregation sold them their building (see below). 

Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, VA

Poplar Forest is much talked about at Monticello because it was Jefferson's getaway home when too many visitors or the noise of constant reworking the design of Monticello would drive him away.  One is given the impression that it is in the same condition as is Monticello, but that is not true, as one finds out when he pays the admission price and is taken on a tour through the building. 

The back exterior of the house is in good condition, but as one goes around to the front, one finds a lot of excavation work still in progress.  Inside one finds the result of years of fire and decay as the organization that controls the property now slowly works to reconstruct the mansion to its original condition.  As funds become available and research continues the work continues but at a very slow pace.  Visitors who come, and pay to see something like Monticello, are very disappointed.  The tour guide we had, unlike the guide at Monticello, was a local volunteer with much less ability.  It will likely be many years before one can expect to see a completed structure here comparable to Monticello.

Back Exterior View of Poplar Forest

Another View of Back Exterior

Front Exterior View of Poplar Forest

Once Inside All Is Under Recovery

Note the Unfinished Trim, Walls, Fireplace, etc.
And This Is One of the Better Rooms

A Mighty Classy Outhouse

After we left Poplar Forest, we drove to Natural Bridge State Park.  This has been a state park for two years.  Before that a private firm operated it.  I saw it years ago, and it is far better run now.  I only wish it were a national park so that our senior pass would get us in free.

Once again it was a shame that the weather was so overcast with poor lighting for photography.  The bridge is amazing in good light, but I did what I could this day. 

One enters a building where tickets and gifts are sold.  Out the back one descends many stairways (which one later must ascend in return) to reach the bridge area.  Thomas Jefferson's father was a surveyor who told his son about this bridge.  Later Jefferson bought the bridge and 157 acres of surrounding land from King George III for 20 shillings on July 5, 1774 and owned it until his death on July 4, 1826.  He and King George seemed to get along quite well only a couple years before Jefferson penned his Declaration of Independence from from king and kingdom.

One of Many Stairways

The Natural Bridge

Beyond the natural bridge is a Monacan town exhibit.  This is a local tribe that lived in the area during the time of Jefferson. 

Monacan Town Exhibit 

Large Wigwam

 

Inside Large Wigwam

 It started to rain while we were there, so we turned back before reaching the Lace Waterfalls.  Some day we hopefully can return in better weather.

SPOUT SPRING, VA Day 2.  Drove to the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.  Our time there began with watching an excellent movie at the Visitors Center, located in the courthouse building.  Then we walked around the grounds to see the historic buildings, beginning with the McLean House, where the surrender papers were signed.  The terms of surrender were very lenient due to President Lincoln's insistence that as long as the Confederates lay down their arms and agree to go home and fight no more, they would receive a full pardon and be allowed to depart in peace.  Parole passes were printed in Clover Hill Tavern and given to each Confederate soldier.  At General Lee's request, Grant allowed all soldiers who owned his horse to keep it.  Lincoln's tone of "with malice toward none" was honored.

Next we visited the scene of the final battles, the Richmond-Lynchburg Stagecoach Road and the Confederate Graveyard.

Appomattox Courthouse

McLean House

Room in McLean House Where Surrender Papers Were Signed

Betty Photos McLean House Summer Kitchen

Clover Hill Tavern

Inside Clover Hill Tavern Where Parole Passes Were Printed

Closeup of Presses for Parole Pass Printing

Richmond-Lynchburg Stagecoach Road

Monument of Battle Scene

Closeup of Plaque

Confederate Graveyard for Bodies Found Here,
Including One Union Soldier

Coins Left on Tombstones

Fence Along the Road Stretches a Long Way

SPOUT SPRING, APPOMATTOX COUNTY, VA.  It was another short drive today, and thankfully so, since the rains have returned.  The weather has been very wet in the east this year, retarding the color change in autumn leaves.  We got pretty wet this morning (I especially) getting the motorhome and Jeep ready to travel.  We stopped for diesel fuel along US 29.  Finding truck stops in Virginia and Maryland has been difficult.  They do not advertise here as they do elsewhere, even along interstate highways.  No one seems to know why.

As we arrived at the campground, once again we donned our rain slickers, which have gotten so much use this year.  Once we got set up, Betty put some food on to cook and I took a warm shower.  Nice and warm (and dry) in here.  Tomorrow we shall visit the local attractions, including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, Day 2.  Visited nearby Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson.  I had visited here over 30 years ago with my mother and aunt, and the changes since then are dramatic and good.  One no longer drives up to the top of the mountain to park next to the house.  Now there is a new visitor's center, museum, theater, gallery, gift shop, cafe, and several parking lots part of the way up the mountain.  Shuttles take you up from there to the top, or you can walk the woodsy grounds.

Another improvement is that the upper floors of the house have mostly been vacated and refurbished to appear as they did in Jefferson's time.  30 years ago staff occupied the upper floors with offices, so one got a tour only of the bottom floor.  Only downside is that no photos are allowed inside, except at the very end when photos are allowed inside the dome room at the top.  At the far side of the Dome Room are two brown doors, seemingly dropping off outdoors, but they lead to a small surprise room (see photo below).

You actually get to climb the very narrow staircases.  Only wish I could show you photos of all the rooms.  Biggest surprise is how small the rooms are.  There are many rooms but small, and most in the shape of an octagon, a shape Jefferson thought was very practical.  This results in some strange doorways with doors that do not open completely.

One surprise was that they have repainted the fence work along the upper floor walkway outside the house.  It had for years been white, matching the trim on the house.  One even sees this in the Ken Burns production about Jefferson.  Now it is a green color, that does not look right to anyone you ask, but research turned up evidence that this color paint had been purchased for painting that fencing.  Continued research is leading to further changes, including in the interior of the house.  Unlike over 30 years ago, there is no run-down look anywhere.  Everything is well cared for, thanks to a recent large grant from a private firm.

New Visitor's Center Complex

Monticello Front Entrance

Dome Room View

We Were Allowed To Photograph Inside the Dome Room

Behind the Far Double Doors

View Out One Dome Room Window

View Out Another Dome Room Window

Re-painted Green Fence Work

Jefferson's Experimental Gardens and Observation Building

Interior of Observation Building

Jefferson Family Graveyard

Thomas Jefferson Tombstone

Enlarged Inscription
Above: Three Things for Which He Wished to be Remembered
Below:  Birth and Death Dates

Betty with Mr Jefferson