Virginia....Here We Come

My boys and I are on our way to Charlottesville, Virginia for the week.  My little sister lives there with her husband and I am more then thrilled to be able to spend some quality time with them.  For any of you who have not visited Charlottesville before, it is worth the trip!  I will be taking a week off from blogging and enjoying some of my favorite local sights with my family.  Here is a small glimpse of what I will be doing in the coming week…

Center for Historic Plants Open House at Monticello.  I can’t wait to take a behind the scenes look at where they grow all of Jefferson’s heirloom pants.  Don’t worry I will snap lots of pictures! I will also be touring Jefferson’s gardens…I have been there before but it is easily my favorite spot on earth.


James Madison's Montpelier.  This will be a new stop for us.  Montpelier has just been restored and I look forward to walking through the formal gardens and forest trails.  There are also some great kids activities at Montpelier that Big C can’t wait to try.


Blenheim Vineyards…owned by musician Dave Matthews.  This is one of my favorite wineries.  We went here for my sisters bachelorette party and I can’t wait to go back.


Jefferson Vineyards.  I stop here every time I visit Virginia and it never disappoints.  It always amazes  me to be able to sit outside and drink a glass a wine on the same land which Jefferson did hundreds of years ago.  Plus the wine is fabulous, so cheers to that! 


Michie Tavern. ca. 1784
“A Virginia Historic Landmark MICHIE TAVERN, located ½ mile below Jefferson’s Monticello, accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging more than 200 years ago. Today, visitors experience the Tavern’s past through an historical journey which recreates 18th-century tavern life. Servers in period attire offer bountiful COLONIAL MIDDAY FARE.”-Michie Tavern Website.  This is my favorite place for lunch and I can’t wait for some warm peach crisp.

Ash Lawn-Highland…home of James Monroe.  Another great presidential tour with beautiful gardens and a small hobby farm.  The best thing about going to Virginia this time of year is that they are well into the spring season.  Colorado is far behind them, so this will give me my spring fix!

Of course the main reason for going to Charlottesville is to be with my little sis.  She will kill me when she sees that I put a picture of her up on my blog….this was taken at an indoor waterpark last year..no makeup, numerous times down the waterslides does not make for a glamorous shot.  The below shot was from her wedding…so pretty.  Look at how little Big C was.  They grow so fast!  I am going to be helping her put in her vegetable garden and plant some flowers around the yard.  She also volunteers at a sheep farm on the weekends and has asked me to help her feed some baby lambs…twist my arm.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and I look forward to sharing all of my wonderful Virginia experiences when I get back.  Thanks again for stopping by!