WA DC - Day 2 - The Monticello and how to get lost in DC

Oh my gosh! Can we say..TIRED! This morning we all got up and reported on time to the bus, where we all loaded on and headed out to the Monticello (pronounced Monti - chello). The bus ride was uneventful and pretty long but well worth the wait. Thomas Jefferson's house was GORGEOUS!! I know I keep saying how green everything is, but it's so green and lush. The soil is a tough red clay, though, and I got to chat it up with some of the gardeners who tend the grounds. We had a great conversation about our hoes, apparently I need to get some Swedish hoes, and they need to get some Mac Clouds. I was very happy to see another place with squash trellis's. I bought a whole bunch of seeds, which are heirlooms to the estate. I'm excited to get back to school and plant them next season. Going through the house, looking at the amazing architecture, talking about rumored realtions, examining the relationship between Jefferson and his slaves was all very interesting. I was very interested to learn that Jefferson WAS NOT an inventor, but just liked gadgets. I was very disappointed to see that no where was there any mention of him being a Mason and applying the Mason techniques in his designs. As soon as we all loaded back on the bus, what do we do but put on the movie Gettysburg (I love that the whole group is a bunch of cool history geeks). When we got back to the Hotel, mom and I were off again on the streets of DC. We got pretty darn lost, but found a great and very yummy Portuguese restruant, and eventually (1 hour later) we found our way back to the hotel. I can't wait to get back to the classroom and create my new Jefferson lessons using the www.Monticello.org website. They have all sorts of great free resources and activities that will meet four US 11th grade standards. I would have to say that the absolute best time I had today was going through Jefferson's house and looking at his library and all the Lewis and Clark artifacts, very cool. As for now I'm heading to bed..tomorrow the 4th of July in the Capitol...stay tuned..