"Bone" Voyage: Mount Vernon

Friday November 11th-We spent Veteran's Day honoring one of the first veterans: George Washington. It was an amazing day of beauty, inspiration and education. We thoroughly enjoyed and immersed ourselves in the educational museum. Amazing, interactive exhibits with wonderful movies throughout detailing Washington's life and the beginning of our country. It really helped personalize and put a face on this leader and that part of our history. Incredible facility that is only five years old. His mansion is beautiful with gorgeous views of the Potomac. A special treat was interacting with Martha Washington as she was in full costume and character in a side cottage. She fielded questions and then talked about her life. We were all mesmorized. It has been fun enjoying the fall that never ends. The leaves were beautiful and as the sun was setting, it was lovely to walk in the foilage.
Inspirational Quotes:
l. "Good moral character is the first essential in man." George Washington
2. "George Washington was one of few men in all of human history who was not carried away by power." Robert Frost
3. "That the government though not absolutely perfect is one of the best in the world, I have little doubt." George Washington
4. "Tis well.-Last words of Washington on his death bed.
5. The secret to a happy life: Be busy as a bee, keep yourself cheerful as a cricket and steady as a clock." Martha Washington's mother.
6. "If he is the head of government, you are his heart." Abigal Adams to Martha
Interesting Facts:
l. George Washington wanted his home to be handsome and impressive. He made the outside of the Mansion look like white stone. But stone was very expensive, so Washington really had the outside made of long wood boards. The boards feel and look like stone because sand was put in the wet paint.
2. To keep the animals from getting too close to the Mansion, he built a low wall into the hill. It was better than a fence, because you couldn't see it. If you were playing on the lawn and didn't know the wall was there, you might fall off it and everyone would laugh. This may be why these brick walls were called ha-ha walls.
3. GW was one of the "inventors" of the mule. He also was ahead of his time in rotating his crops and ammending his soil. His self proclaimed career was as a farmer.
4. He had lots of slaves. He was reportadly demanding and fair. As his life went on, he came to realize the injustice of the institution. In his will he asked that they all be freed after Martha's death. She freed them one year after his death. He was hoping others would follow suit. Curious why he didn't try and do something more active politically. Maybe could have thwarted the Civil War?
5. GW was the father of espionage in this country. He out smarted and was nicknamed the fox. The Culper Gang was the name of the spies. One woman would put her ear to floor of the tavern and then sew the notes of her findings in a button on her young son's coat. This technique gave GW a heads up for Valley Forge. Hanging laundry: The symbol for a black coat was info was ready, number of handerchiefs, where to find the info. Also, used invisible ink in personal letters. Special code developed: 38-Attack, 711-GW,192-fort.
6. Little Pretty Pocketbook-Children's book that GW liked to read to his grandchildren.
7. Martha lost all her children. She and George raised two young grandchildren.
8. John Glenn carried GW flag on the Explorer