Blowout past Tuscaloosa on I-20

We were making good time having left Charlottesville at 0430. We were 25 miles past Tuscaloosa on the way to spend the night in Meridian, MS. As we passed an 18 wheeler, there was a huge pop sound. It wasn't from the 18 wheeler as it kept trucking down the road.

Could this have contributed to a poorly made tire?





Fortunately, it's daylight saving time so by the time the spare tire was on the trailer, it was still light. We called ahead to Meridian to get a room at the Hampton, but it was full. We had to backtrack to Tuscaloosa for the night.

Skyline Drive and off the beaten track to Free Union

When Sneed was about 6 years old, his family drove from Bedford to McLean to see relatives. On the way back they stopped at this Howard Johnson and Sneed was left behind, each car thinking he was in the other car. This is how he looked, oh so many years ago, when they came back to get him.

Entering the Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive

Marque checking in at the Ranger Station

We departed the Skyline Drive to visit with Alex and Deanie Rucker in Free Union. They both are Bedford HS classmates of Sneed

 Top photo: Wendy and Clive, New Zealand


Middle:  Cheryl and Pete, VA


Left:  Colin and Mermie, PA and UK


Bottom: Susan and Cortes, VA - tour hosts

UVA to Monticello

We began the morning with a lecture on Thomas Jefferson's influence on architecture in Virginia. Noted Architectural Historian Calder Loth then led us on a tour of the University of Virginia campus buildings that were designed by TJ.

Edgar Allan Poe was a student here for one term

Poe's room preserved for gawking visitors (the Raven was added later)

Curved brick walls

Corinthian columns

Ionic columns

Doric columns

Marque in the parking lot of Michie Tavern where we stopped for lunch. The Tavern is further up the hill.

Oh my goodness! This was great lunch fare...

Bright yellow flowers in front of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Monticello viewed from the rear and the front below

Getting some background information before going on our 'behind the scenes' tour on which we got to go up to the Rotunda which is not on a regular tour. Since photography is not allowed, please check out the link to see how wonderful the Dome room is.

Sneed with his hero

Tuckahoe and Pine Knot

There was a bit of precipitation overnight that beaded up nicely on Marque's bonnet

Tuckahoe Plantation

In front of Tuckahoe

Following one of our favorite Bs to Pine Knot

Pine Knot as it looked in Teddy Roosevelt's time

As it looks today

Visions along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Two grande Bentleys before we set out

James Madison's Montpelier

Marque cruising the long driveway to Montpelier, James Madison's lifelong home. Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution, and his wife, Dolley, inspired the title of First Lady

Unfortunately, no photographs are allowed inside Montpelier

We are honored to be allowed to park on the lawn for a great photo op. Marque is the farthest one on the right

Madison's temple in which he contemplated democracy

James often read to Dolley in the backyard that he landscaped

Green barns, from Sears, added when Marion DuPont established one of the leading horse-training centers there. The DuPont family owned Montpelier from 1901-83 when it was bequeathed to the National Trust for historic preservation

Leaving

Thank You, TJ!

Who would have known?