Jere Posting: On Monday morning we set a westward course for home - 4,435 miles down, about 2,500 more to go. We hit our last planned history related visit, to Thomas Jefferson's home in central Virginia. Monticello is a beautiful place, and this is another well run (private foundation) facility. Though it was raining, we got a glimpse of the beautiful grounds and the outside of the mansion. Inside, we saw many of the inventions that Jefferson incorporated into his home. He was basically an early gear-head. He incorporated all kinds of interesting things into his home, such as pocket doors, a gravity powered clock, skylights, an ice pit and other things in advance of his time. The clock is powered by counterweights that slowly wind down toward the floor. The clock was designed for a different space, so here at Monticello, the counterweight goes through the floor. The days of the week are marked by the progress the weights make as gravity pulls them down. Saturday did not fit so the weights go through a hole in the floor. Jere spotted the 'Saturday' marker in the basement. We were delighted to see many of his personal affects, pieces of art and museum pieces on display. The walls in the dining room are as yellow as an egg yolk! The kids enjoyed the hands on exhibits in the discovery center, where they got to try out some of his inventions and the inventions of others he gathered. Or tour guide was from California!
We are starting to be ready to go home. There is just one more educational stop planned, and several opportunities to visit family and friends along the way. Our adventure has been great indeed. God's grace has truly been with us as we have received so many blessings along the way.
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