Hillwood Estate

     First Question: Have you ever heard of Grape-Nuts?  If you haven't, open your eyes next time you are in the cereal aisle at the grocery store.  It has been on the shelves since 1895 so no excuses.  Contrary to its title, Grape-Nuts does not actually contain grapes or nuts, but it is a name that has been selling for nearly 120 years.  The businessman, Charles William Post, who launched this cereal also started the Post dynasty, a consumer packaged goods company.  Do you like Fruity Pebbles or Honey Bunches of Oats?  Those are also produced by Post.  Upon his death (and her mother's) in the 1910's, their daughter, Marjorie Merriweather Post, took over the company.

     Second Question (which I now notice is actually the third): Have you ever wondered what happens to the fortunes made from such a company?  For Post, obviously some of it went back into the company, or it wouldn't exist today; however, another portion of it went to funding Marjorie's love for artwork.  She began purchasing 18th and 19th century French artwork as well as items from the House of Romanov in Russia.  In 1955, Marjorie purchased an estate, named Hillwood, where her great collection could reside.

     Today, Hillwood has become a hidden gem to the D.C. area.  The mansion and its beautiful grounds are now open to the public.  Its location is just north of D.C. near Rock Creek Park, and in the distance, one can see the Washington Monument.  Seeing that I love studying the Romanov dynasty (ever since our trip to St. Petersburg.....yes, I have read biographies of some of the rulers), I was very excited to visit this off-the-beaten-path tourist destination.  It is definitely a must-see attraction if you ever visit D.C.

The front of the mansion, where guests would arrive for her lavish garden parties.  Eros stands in the center of the circle.

Why can't I find a couch with an extendable end table such as this?  Practicalities just don't exist these days.

Some of the beautiful artwork and ornate vases.  I am currently working on a re-creation of this; it'll be done in 20 years.

Loved the ceiling and lighting in this entertainment room.

The library, my favorite place in any mansion.

The beautiful dining room.

A breakfast nook where the indoor plants made the garden outside seem to come right into the room.  Very cool!

A portrait in a portrait gallery.....and the universe implodes.

Catherine the Great's portrait is the larger image....She is one of the most intriguing people to me; born in Prussia, married into the Romanov family, and ended up ruling Russia.

I'm pretty sure everyone from henceforth should incorporate a piano in their bedroom.  Play me some lullabies.

My nerdy husband.  We go together so well.

The grounds were separated into different gardens.  This area was called the French Parterre.

This was the rose garden and Marjorie's gravesite.

And the putting green.

Yes, this happened.

A fierce lion stands guard off the back porch.  You can also see the Washington Monument from here.

Roar!  Who's cowardly now?

Stepping stones in the Japanese Garden.

More stepping stones.

No worries, I have found my chi.

I shall call you Lily, and you shall rest on pads.

A beautiful flower garden where fresh flowers were and still are picked everyday to decorate Marjorie's many rooms.

Bees and sunflowers.  Epipen prepared.

More of this magnificent garden.

The greenhouse holds one of the country's greatest orchid collections.

ORCHIDS!

Ideas for my future lawn.

Monticello, It's a Thomas Jefferson Thing

     I am thinking that my future will not include owning a 5,000 acre plot of land where slaves farm tobacco and mixed crops, beginning a country's revolution, and serving as president.  No, that's most likely not in my cards.  However, for my good old (very old) friend Thomas Jefferson, it was inevitably going to happen, and everyday we can thank him for declaring our independence from England.  Who knows where we would be today?.....having tea and crumpets instead of Starbucks and McNuggets, I suppose.
     During our stay in Charlottesville, TJ (we're on a nickname basis) invited PDub and I (and Maya) to visit his plantation called Monticello, or small mountain.  (I'm thinking my estate will be called Megacello).  While there, we stepped inside the rooms he spent most of his time in, took in the mountainous views that he would've awoken to each morning, and strolled amongst the gardens where he would find his source of food.  Thanks, TJ, for having us over!

TJ's place.  The weathervane on the rooftop was linked to a wind plate on the ceiling below to indicate the wind direction.

PDub hanging out at TJ's place.

 The angles and windows were placed to make the house appear smaller than it actually was.

And the other side.

I and one of my best bronzed friends.  I suppose that would be a BBF.

The veggie garden overlooking the mountains.

Why, hello.

This lovely couple were engaged the day before....Congrats you two!

Words of Wisdom by Thomas Jefferson:

1.  Never put off tomorrow what you can do today.
2.  Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
3.  Never spend your money before you have it.
4.  Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.
5.  Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
6.  We never repent of having eaten too little.
7.  Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
8.  How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
9.  Take things always by their smooth handle.
10.  When angry, count ten, before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.

Hiking and Wining in Charlottesville, VA

     I guess it's somewhat expected to change your interests as you age.  For example, I used to hate walking.  My feet would hurt, and I would prefer to just lay by a pool or sit at a restaurant.  When in Banff, Canada, PDub experienced this side of me when we decided to take a trail to a waterfall.  I didn't make it.....and yes, older folk with walkers were passing us.  Another time in Phoenix, AZ, PDub wanted to hike to the top of Squaw Peak.  With the end in sight, I plopped myself down on a rock and told him I'd see him on his way back down.  As I've gotten older, I have changed a bit.  I now find joy in hiking and seeing views only accessible to walkers.  As a matter of fact, it has become one of my favorite things to do.

     Recently, we headed for Charlottesville, VA to check off yet another east coast activity.  On Saturday, we laced up our hiking shoes and drove to the south side of Shenandoah National Park to hike the Moormans River trail.  Of course, Maya couldn't be left behind, so she joined in on this festivity.

Baby steps, Maya.

Into the Woods

He thought he was camouflage, but my man, PDub, spotted him easily.

PDub's shadow for the day.

Serenity.

Now I have a shadow.....but she stopped right there seeing my troubled crossing.

It's called rock surfing.

I made it!  And only one boot fully submerged.  Thank goodness for wool socks!

A watering hole.

JUMP!  (It was like 58 degree water).

Can you spot our Maya?

More serenity.

The best hiking food happens to be kettle corn.  Light and fluffy.  (PDub's getting really good at photographing.)

Heading back to the car.

Stacked rocks created by aliens.  It's science.

Was it necessary to clean me off in the river?

PDub!  Don't smile and drive!  That's dangerous!

Do you think they're called Blue Ridge Mountains for a reason?

I'm in the car too!

So is Maya!  Rough day.

Cruising reflections.

     Another example of change in my life is likenesses of beverages.  I used to be a Shirley Temple girl.....and make it a double!  But over time, I have developed a taste for wine.  Yes, I look, swirl, listen, sniff, and slosh (you gotta hit all five of those senses).  I may not be able to tell the subtle difference between a blackberry or smokey finish, but I can taste the difference between a pinot noir and a pinot grigio (it's a color thing).  Looking back, I probably wasn't able to distinguish sprite versus another lemon lime soda in that Shirley Temple either.  

     After our hike on Saturday, we visited two Virginia wineries, Afton Mountain Winery and Veritas Winery.  There's nothing like sitting outside on a cool day with the mountains surrounding you and a dog who won't stop barking at another (could care less) dog nearby.  Oh Maya, you sure do know how to stress your parents out.  Maybe that's why we turn to good wine!

I think I might disagree with this claim.

No longer a vineyard but a vinemountain.  See what I did there?

Maya is getting so good at taking our picture.

Next stop.....Veritas.

More vinemountains.

And a selfie ending.

Cheers to hiking and wining!

Marine Sunset Parade

     In 1954 (on their 179th birthday), the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial was placed outside the gates of Arlington National Cemetery as a dedication to any individual who gave their life as a Marine.  How does the saying go?....Freedom comes at a price.  The statue was modeled after the photo of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima.  Since 1956, the Washington D.C. Marines have been performing a sunset parade every Tuesday in the shadow of this statue to commemorate those whose "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."  Might I add "OORAH!"

     When PDub and I move in a little over a month, we hope to have no regrets.  We hope to have done everything that we wanted to do before closing this chapter in our lives.  So how does one prepare for such a closure?  One first heads to TripAdvisor to make sure he has completed all of the highly rated things to do.  Thank goodness for this website because we didn't even know the Marine Sunset Parade existed.  To check this off our list, we loaded up our lawn chairs and (thankfully) rain jackets and headed for the Iwo Jima Memorial on our one and only free Tuesday.  I am grateful we sat through the rain to see this tradition and to give some respect to individuals who give their lives for the sake of our freedom.

U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Taking pictures at sunset is really tough.

The musical unit from the D.C. Marine Barracks.

Doo-woppin' at sunset.  Nothing better.

One of the marching units from the D.C. Marine Barracks.

Here comes the rain.  (That song would've been a fitting play at this time).

With rain, comes umbrellas.

These gentlemen never missed a beat or step.  If war cannot defeat them, then rain cannot either.