Williamsburg to Charlottesville, VA

The new week begins with a rainy Monday.

We traveled out of Williamsburg, past the historic James River Plantation and visited Berkeley Plantation, home of William Harrison (www.berkeleyplantation.org).

The carriage road entering the plantation was built for carriages

and not for modern cars.  It was rough and bumpy and our little Morgans transmit every bump to our backsides.

Per usual, we lined up in the parking lot... another photo op.

The main house on the plantation, home for several

generations of Harrisons.

The guest house serves as the gift shop and ticket counter for

tour tickets.  A primary source of income for the non-government

supported plantation.

Our tour guide in period costume.

She captivated our group, even in the rain.

Another photo op.

And some silliness too.  Sam and Rick Frazee in period costume.

On our way to lunch the skies opened up for a good

downpour.

We had lunch at the historic Iron Horse Restaurant in Ashland, VA. complete with several trains rumbling by while we ate.   

Then on to the Barboursville Vineyards and one of Virginia's largest wineries.

One of the many wineries in Virginia... and this is a good one

A tasting ticket got you the opportunity to taste up to 21 wines made here.

John and Debbie Stanley, Reg and Char Hahn and Sally K

The winery grounds were very neat

Roses planted at the end of the vines are used to forecast disease

that may harm the grapes. 

Fortunately after the wine stop it wasn't far to our hotel in Charlottesville--The English Inn.

Arriving at the English Inn in Charlottesville we were pleased

they had marked off a special parking area.

Again, lined up for a photo op.

Lydie Foster captured the view of our cars from her room at the hotel.

No time tonight to explore Charlottesville, the Florida contingent of the Crawl is hosting a pizza party for everyone. 

Greeter Bob McKenna welcomes guests

Hosts John Stanley, Rick Frazee, Debbie Stanley (L-R)

Missy McKenna, Sally Kneisley, Reg Hahn (L-R)

Lydie and Bruce Foster

Alan Marsh

Tomorrow morning we will explore Monticello and Appomattox between Charlottesville and Lynchburg, VA.

A bit about Charlottesville.  It is best known as the home to two U.S. Presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe; while both served as Governor of Virginia, they lived in Charlottesville and traveled to and from the capitol (Richmond, Virginia) along the 71-mile (114 km) historic Three Notch'd Road. Close by is the historical home of a third U.S. President, James Madison, in Orange. It is also known as the home of the University of Virginia, which is one of the most historically prominent colleges in the United States and, along with Monticello,  Jefferson's mountain-top home, which attracts approximately half a million tourists every year.