Where: Charlottesville, VA
When: May 14-15, 2011
With: Dave, Loren, Jason
I have been super fortunate that in all the traveling I've done so far, I haven't had too many bumps in the road regarding the actual transportation. Maybe it's all interpretation and how I handle the situation, but overall, nothing too crazy has happened to disrupt my trips.
However, I would be remiss in my account of this trip to not address the hysterical series of events that prevented us from getting to and from Charlottesville, VA. In short, we had a 90-minute flight from JFK to Richmond, VA where Loren and Jason were waiting to pick us up and take us to our B&B. Here's a list of what happened instead:
This time we were lucky and flew in with no problems, but since we'd lost our ride, we had to rent a car to drive ourselves to Charlottesville. It is ironic the word "trail" is contained in the title of this post, as it felt like we'd been on quite a long one to get here. This was not helped by said grumpy B&B owner upon our arrival, who let us know his frustration that he'd had to wait up the evening before. Our sympathies run low for you, sir.
ANYWAY, we finally arrived to Charlottesville, favorite residence of country founder and Declaration of Independence author Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson had a profound impact on this area that is still apparent to this day, primarily in the founding of the University of Virginia in 1819. However, the main attraction that brings in the visitors is Jefferson's home, Monticello, located just outside the main downtown. But more on that later.
The big draw for us this trip was actually Loren and Jason's love of the area. They were excited to show us around, and after the events of the night before, the wine tour that they had planned was the best possible start to our weekend.
Before this trip, I didn't know that Virginia had a wine region. And I definitely didn't know that Thomas Jefferson actually had an impact on founding this as well. Thomas Jefferson has actually been described as America's first viticulturist and one of the original wine patrons of the newly formed United States. From the two vineyards he established on his own grounds, 33 vineyards have now sprung up in the Charlottesville area.
We had a driver pick us up at our B&B to take us to a few different vineyards. He gave us a lot of information on the wine in the area, but the one piece of information that really stuck out to me was the top states for wine production. No, not Virginia, but California, Washington, New York, Oregon and Texas. Fun fact.
When: May 14-15, 2011
With: Dave, Loren, Jason
I have been super fortunate that in all the traveling I've done so far, I haven't had too many bumps in the road regarding the actual transportation. Maybe it's all interpretation and how I handle the situation, but overall, nothing too crazy has happened to disrupt my trips.
However, I would be remiss in my account of this trip to not address the hysterical series of events that prevented us from getting to and from Charlottesville, VA. In short, we had a 90-minute flight from JFK to Richmond, VA where Loren and Jason were waiting to pick us up and take us to our B&B. Here's a list of what happened instead:
- Incoming plane has bird strike and is taken out of commission
- Dave and I placed on standby on two subsequent flights. Never make it on.
- Tell Jason and Loren not to wait for us, go on to the B&B (an hour and a half from airport)
- Placed on final flight of the night and get all the way to seats
- Player from a local sports team asks if anyone would give up their seat to allow his team members to get on board so they could get to their competition the next day
- Two people volunteer, two team members get on board, everyone cheers
- Flight attendants announce plane is overweight
- Two players that just got on board are removed
- Poor original guy on team who made initial plea gets off plane because what's the point without team members
- Plane still overweight
- No one else volunteers
- Passengers will be removed by last people to check in (Dave and I are doomed)
- Name announced, not ours (Dave and I are not doomed!)
- Name announced was that of a toddler (Dave and I are doomed)
- Flight attendant approaches and we ask if we get a voucher if we NOW choose to volunteer
- Leave plane (with voucher)
- Loren and Jason arrive to B&B where owner is angry he's waited up until 11:30pm for them to arrive
- Dave and I wait an hour for the airline-provided car service to take us back to the city
- Dave and I ride back to the city with the three sports guys also booted from our plane
- Go to sleep at 1am
- Wake up at 5am to return to airport and make the first flight of the day
This time we were lucky and flew in with no problems, but since we'd lost our ride, we had to rent a car to drive ourselves to Charlottesville. It is ironic the word "trail" is contained in the title of this post, as it felt like we'd been on quite a long one to get here. This was not helped by said grumpy B&B owner upon our arrival, who let us know his frustration that he'd had to wait up the evening before. Our sympathies run low for you, sir.
ANYWAY, we finally arrived to Charlottesville, favorite residence of country founder and Declaration of Independence author Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson had a profound impact on this area that is still apparent to this day, primarily in the founding of the University of Virginia in 1819. However, the main attraction that brings in the visitors is Jefferson's home, Monticello, located just outside the main downtown. But more on that later.
The big draw for us this trip was actually Loren and Jason's love of the area. They were excited to show us around, and after the events of the night before, the wine tour that they had planned was the best possible start to our weekend.
Before this trip, I didn't know that Virginia had a wine region. And I definitely didn't know that Thomas Jefferson actually had an impact on founding this as well. Thomas Jefferson has actually been described as America's first viticulturist and one of the original wine patrons of the newly formed United States. From the two vineyards he established on his own grounds, 33 vineyards have now sprung up in the Charlottesville area.
We had a driver pick us up at our B&B to take us to a few different vineyards. He gave us a lot of information on the wine in the area, but the one piece of information that really stuck out to me was the top states for wine production. No, not Virginia, but California, Washington, New York, Oregon and Texas. Fun fact.
We went to tasting after tasting, and while the wine was ok, it didn't stop this foursome from imbibing heavily.
By the time we made it back to the B&B, we were pretty intoxicated and not ready to stop. We happily partook in the "happy hour" hosted by the B&B (aka we may have drank all their wine), had a dinner I can't remember very well, and then nearly killed ourselves attempting to use the inn's hot tub late that night. The night ended with Dave and I opening one more bottle right before falling asleep (passing out?), glass in hand. It had been a long day.
Thankfully, the next day was a much more subdued and historical one, particularly as we decided to visit Thomas Jefferson's home of Monticello.
Sitting up on a bluff overlooking the valley below, this was Jefferson's main plantation. He designed the grounds when he was 26 years old.
While we couldn't take photos inside, the beautiful home was filled with personal artifacts of Jefferson's. There was old artwork, antique furniture, and even some of his inventions and prototypes. It was so well maintained, this would make a pretty nice luxury hotel nowadays.
Out back, the views from the grounds were beautiful. No wonder this is where Jefferson chose to live out the rest of his days, as well as where is he is buried.
The gardens out back were no less impressive. They are still being used today, which I thought was really cool. Lots of herbs and vegetables were being grown.
The infamous vineyards (though I have no interest in partaking in the wine they produce after the day before).
My favorite: the flowers.
Trying to channel the presidential mind.
After our 30 hours in Charlottesville, it was time to head home. Sadly, terrible thunderstorms in New York had already delayed our flight back. We saw the writing on the wall and didn't want to test our luck again, so with the rental car in hand, we decided to drive to Union Station in DC and take the train home.
It was quite the journey for our "easy" weekend trip, but we sure did pack a lot in in our short time there. It was amazing that one guy could have such a lasting impact on this area, but then again, I guess when he's the founder of the country, it shouldn't be too surprising.
It was quite the journey for our "easy" weekend trip, but we sure did pack a lot in in our short time there. It was amazing that one guy could have such a lasting impact on this area, but then again, I guess when he's the founder of the country, it shouldn't be too surprising.
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