George Washington's Home

Well, this morning didn't turn out as we planned, but it turned out like it was supposed to. We had originally thought to get up early and attend an early (8:30 am) service, but both Brock and I had a hard time waking up this morning and by the time we succeeded, we didn't have enough time to get all of us ready and to drive at least 20 minutes to get to that service.

Brock decided to go for a run with Heidi. There was, I think, about 100% humidity out there and they came back soaking wet, but it hadn't actually rained yet. While they were gone, I searched along a google route to "George Washington's Birthplace" to find a different church. We wanted to try to find the earliest service we could and I found one that was at 10:30. Once we actually got on the road though, the driving time estimate extended to 45 minutes instead of 30 so then we would not make that service in time either. AND, while we were driving, Brock started questioning my route and we figured out that my google map wasn't taking us in the direction of George Washington's birthplace, which is very close to where we are camped, instead we were headed toward Mount Vernon which is actually much closer to D.C. than we realized.

We decided to go with the flow and just watch for a church along the way. We pulled into a Baptist church parking lot. We couldn't see service times on their sign, but just went ahead and parked. Turned out to be an 11 am service and we arrived about 10:40. Their greeter was a very nice, funny and friendly gentleman, named Mac, who related to the kids right away and put them at ease. He got out a measuring tape to see how tall each of the boys were. Spencer was 4' 6". Skylar was 4' 2".  Brighton was 5' 7"!! That is pretty close to how tall I am. Can't believe how much they've each grown so far this year.

The service was really good. The congregation felt like they were a family. They did one hymn, some announcements and then the choir came up to sing. It felt like half the church was in the choir as they had a great mix of men and women and even some kids. They did a great job singing and then a few different church members stood up and gave some powerful testimonies. The main Pastor delivered an excellent sermon related to the Samaritan woman at the well. It provided some great insight into how Jesus set the example of what we need to do and be in relating to everyone. It was great to be back in God's house with fellowship vs. just the family church we have had the past few weeks.

After church was out we decided we needed a pick me up and we each used some "experience" money for some coffees and cocoa. Unfortunately Brighton had spent his money but was a great sport about not getting a coffee. We followed Tom's directions and finally ended up at Mount Vernon around 2PM, although he still took us an awkward way that was not the fastest. It was a beautiful but very humid and sunny afternoon, nearly 90 degrees. We bought our tickets and proceeded to the mansion after watching a short introductory film.

They have really done a great job maintaining and rebuilding Mount Vernon. It is a beautiful spot, very peaceful and right on the Potomac River. Our first stop was in front of the mansion which gave us a scale of the size of the property. We then went to George and Martha's tomb and the commemorative tomb of the slaves that worked on the property. Our tour of the house was not for a half an hour so we viewed a few of the out buildings and then got in line. It was amazing how hot and sticky it was waiting. Everyone has warned us about the humidity here and now we know what they were talking about!

The original family vault. As this was in need of repairs and wasn't properly situated,
George's will directed that a new tomb be built.

The remains of George and Martha Washington were moved here in their newly constructed tomb in 1831.

We toured the house which was really neat to see. No indoor plumbing of course but lots of guest rooms. The key to the Bastille that was given to Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette was hanging on the wall by the stairs. Apparently they had to do a lot of entertaining with the positions George held and the people he knew. We saw a room where Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry had played cards. We saw the over 200-year-old harpsichord that George had purchased for his granddaughter Nelly to play. In his den, we saw the swivel chair that he had used as President as well as an awesome pedal powered fan chair. We saw George and Martha's bedroom with the original bed that they shared and that he died in in 1799.  We then toured the rest of the outbuildings before heading into the Education Center/Museum.

There was a gorgeous view and really nice breezes on the veranda overlooking the Potomac.

There was a sign stating Pecan, 1881, on this huge tree.

There were all kinds of exhibits and displays in the museum including a description of how scientists used lasers to create pinpoint measurements of a life mask and bust that a French sculptor had done of Washington when he was 52 years old. A team of experts has worked backward to create a figure of what he looked like at 19 years of age. They believe he was 6' 2" and about 175 lbs. We got to see his sword that he carried in the French and Indian War. We even got to look at his lower plate of dentures that were created for him in the 1780's. We watched a 4D movie about the Revolutionary War that was about 15 minutes long. They had snow falling in the theater, surround sound, flashing lights and vibrating under our seats for the rumble of cannon.

An interpretive display of Washington, surveyor, age 19.

I think the overall impression we have of George Washington after visiting Mount Vernon is just how impressive an individual he was. He sacrificed so much for the love of his country. He was so brave. He showed such commitment and was so determined. He was able to step up to each of the challenges that he faced and yet maintained such a humility his whole life. He seems like someone really worth of admiration.