Wednesday, March 22nd

Mt. Vernon, Annapolis, and Dover

We got a surprise this morning (even though they had threatened us with this for days) -- SNOW!  It was just enough to make the trees and grass a beautiful white.  We left Williamsburg and headed north to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home.  The sky was clear and the sun was bright, but if the wind came up it got REALLY cold, REALLY fast.  But we're hearty stock and we just keeping trudging onward. 

The house was fun to see, although with dozens of school groups taking the tour as well, it was a challenge to hear the guides and really learn about the house.  We did go see the Washingtons' graves, and then on to the Potomac River and George's farm.  He was a remarkable agricultural scientist, developing ways to replenishing the earth after years of tobacco farming, and designing and building the first round barn for threshing grain.

We headed east again from here to Annapolis, Maryland.  The Annapolis capital claims to be the oldest capital in continuous use and whether it's true or not, represents an important reference point in American History.  It was this building that served as the United States Capital for a time during the Revolutionary War.  It was in this Senate Chamber that George Washington resigned his commission at the end of the War, to return to his life as a gentleman farmer.

Also in Annapolis is the U.S. Naval Academy.  We visited the Academy specifically to see the Chapel, a magnificent building with Tiffany windows and a breathtaking dome.  The organ was being tuned so we even got a chance to sort of hear it.  Then it was down into the crypt to see the sarcophagus of John Paul Jones of "I have not begun to fight" fame. 

Then it was on to Dover, Delaware traveling through the rural farm country that occupies most of the peninsula.  Dover has a very quaint green surrounding the old center of the city.  In 1933, the legislature outgrew the Old Capital Building and they built a much roomier Legislative Building a block away.  The architecture is Colonial, but the details are very plain and understated. 

Tomorrow we head north again for more adventures!