Mount Vernon

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Okay so the next day we went down to Mt. Vernon to see George Washington's house. We also saw Marilyns' brother Bob but he wasn't at Mt. Vernon, he was at his own house. If you haven't been here, it is a necessary visit. Georges', not Bobs' (sorry Bob). George had it right because he built right on a ridge that looks out on the Potomac River. What a view. It was an 8000 acre estate at one time and a working farm that was primarily wheat. The river allowed better commerce to and from and when it froze in the winter, it supplied ice that was hauled up the hill to the ice house. Just like most estates back then it was fully self contained with gardens, critters, smokehouse (where the critters ended up), spinning room, laundry house, separate kitchen building, stable, gunsmith, blacksmith, etc. There weren't many towns with 7-11's to go to and it was a huge effort to get anywhere on those rough roads. The house itself is great with each room a different color. Of course no picture taking was allowed in the house so you will have to take my word for that one, but there was a blue one a yellow one and a couple green ones. The master bedroom is where he died of a throat infection in spite of the doctors coming in and bleeding him a couple times. Hard to imagine that not working I mean jeez, why not just give him an enema while you're at it. Most of the furnishings in the house are original and this is because George was a good businessman unlike Jefferson so nothing needed to be foreclosed upon and sold off at auction. He was never in debt. There is a tomb there for both George and Martha as well as about 22 other relatives. Like most of the Founding Father's George Washington was the right man at the right time in history and is no doubt spinning in his grave at what is going on today with how big government has become and all the debt we have taken on. A trillion here and a trillion there and pretty soon you are talking about some pretty serious money.

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Photos

Me
Good view of the house.

Marilyn
We caught the whole family on the way out for a pose with Marilyn. She got his autograph too.

Marilyn
Mighty nice day here. Finally not so hot and humid.

Me
The family tomb and that is George right behind me.

Marilyn
From the front yard looking out at the Potomac.

Marilyn
This is right down on the river at the wharf.