I'm Sleeping Where George Freaking Washington Did!

There is so much history east of the Rocky Mountains that I've forgotten about since cramming for school final exams!  On our trek from Utah to Virginia, I saw monuments to Lewis and Clark; Robert E. Lee; Davy Crockett; Daniel Boone; David Farragut; Jefferson Davis; Kit Carson; Mark Twain; Hunter S. Thompson; Casey Jones; Patrick Henry; Abraham Lincoln; Pocahontas.  (If you don't know who these important Americans are, look 'em up!  You'll be glad you did.)

For 9 days, we are staying at Travelers Rest, a farmhouse located on a lonely country road about half way between two historic places: Richmond, Virginia and the Potomac River.  This dwelling built in 1760 is where General George Washington would stop and rest when he was traveling between Washington DC and Williamsburg.

(Yes! THAT George Washington!)

When we first walked into the amazing old house, I was struck by the scent of wood-burning hearth, and by the high ceilings above short and crooked doors.  I don't know how much of the house is original, but I do know that nothing looks like really old bricks like really old bricks do, and that the handrail on the stairs has been polished smooth by time in a way that just can't be faked, and that the staircase inside is slanted just enough to make me think I've swigged a second beer every time I go up or down them.

 
Outside among acres and acres of gently rolling hills is a big ol' red barn with horses, a pond, a hammock, the obligatory gang of geese patrolling the property, fenced pastures in front of endless woods. There is not another house in sight.

Absent are sounds of city life, replaced by a constant chorus of birdsong (not completely welcome at 5 o'clock this morning, but pleasant nonetheless), punctuated by the occasional peacock holler, worried goose chatter and soft horse whinnies.  And after dark, only the willows rustling in the breeze.

This is the future "peaceful place" in my mind.

Todd and I went on a long walk into the woods this morning, before the heat of the day settled onto the Virginia landscape.  We tromped along in the company of a farm dog, whose name I don't know, but he was happy to join us strangers on his land.  We meandered deeper and deeper into the woods, farther away from signs of human settlement, on a trail just about wide enough for a pair of horses to march side-by-side between the tree trunks.  Todd broke our silence, to tell me he'd once read that George Washington used to personally walk around his property on a regular basis, possibly so he could tell others what needed to be tended to later.  It was even possible, he said, that The General walked on this very trail during one of his stops here at Travelers Rest, some 250 years ago.

George Freaking Washington!

I love history.

Observations from the road

A few tidbits I've noticed while spending hours (and hours and hours) in the car:

• A bridge is a pretty cool structure, no matter where you cross it.
• Canada Geese are also in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
• The further south you drive, the more roadkill you see.
• There is no shortage of bugs attracted to the windshield in Kentucky.
• The Smokey Mountains are aptly named.
• So is The Bible Belt.
• In at least one roadside diner near Bristol, Tennessee, Jesus, Mary and Joseph all have blonde hair.
• Suburban sprawl looks the same everywhere, but police cars look different in every state.
• No matter how fast (or slow) you're going, traffic will slow down when a cop car pulls onto the highway.
• "Three Star" accommodations have entirely different meanings, depending where you are.
• Aggressive drivers and super friendly locals can both be found nearly everywhere.
• Guinness makes a Blonde American Lager.
• You can purchase Guinness Blonde American Lager in Virginia on Sunday.
• You can get a good meal nearly everywhere, if you avoid chain restaurants.
• Some of the best places to see are not listed in any guidebooks.
• A gorgeous sunset is gorgeous, even from an unattractive roadside motel.