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Virginia

On Monday, we were in Staunton, Virginia to see Woodrow Wilson's birthplace. Did you know his first name was actually Thomas?

This is the home, the Presbyterian Manse, as his father was a minister.  There are several buildings that make up the complex of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum


The museum is in a building on the corner.  All of the buildings are stately, old buildings

Inside, they have his car! That was fascinating to J and S

Wilson was the president who took us through World War I.  Since we had been to the WWI museum, it was interesting to learn more about this president and his role in the war

Tuesday we visited Luray Caverns. Yes, we've seen a fair number of caves on this trip so far. No, this is not a National Park of any kind.

We had to go see it though, because of the Great Stalacpipe Organ!


We even got to hear a song play on the organ "pipes"

It was about an hour's tour, we saw Dream Lake (that's reflection, not stalactite/stalagmite columns), the water is so clear and still that it looks like a mirror

It was very much NOT a national park site--they have this pool near the end where they encourage you to throw spare change in, to go to charities.  They drain it once a year to collect the change and the pennies have turned it a bluish-green from the oxidization of the metal.  Pretty, but not exactly preserving the ecosystem of the cave!


We visited Shenandoah National Park briefly. Skyline Drive, a scenic drive through the park, was closed due to snow and ice, so we just saw a snippet of the park.

This deer was on the roadside when we came in AND when we left


Beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley


Wednesday we went to Claude Moore Colonial Farm, an NPS site that showcases a 1771 colonial farm

I had J and S stand next to this to see how tall they were--both definitely over 5 feet and getting taller!



It was pretty quiet there, there was a woman working in this home and we also saw the tobacco shed where the tobacco was drying

We saw this magnificent rooster and some hogs too


We headed to Wolf Trap next.  It was land set aside for performing arts AND nature, has a performing arts center and is also a national park!


Thursday we had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner with friends.  Lots of yummy food, TOO much food, which makes for a great Thanksgiving.  It's always wonderful to be thankful for abundance.


Kids watched the very NOT Thanksgiving-themed El Dorado...

We are camping in a campground that also has a festival of lights, so we got treated to that on our way back to the motorhome after Thanksgiving dinner





Friday we went to Mount Vernon! No photos allowed inside the home, but there is this amazing 2-3 foot tall model in the visitor center


Here's the real thing!

The back of the house looks out onto the Potomac River.  So beautiful


We went to see the tomb and even got to see a daily wreath laying ceremony



Today we attended the Franklin Ward, Oakton Virginia Stake, with friends. I forgot to take a photo of the building!

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