Photo Journal: The Rest of Virginia

I took so many pictures, I couldn't get them edited in time to do daily posts.  We did so many amazing things in our time here in Virginia... unfortunately, I'm just going to have to do a photo journal of them all in a blur, rather than day by day.  We are now in Washington, D.C., and I am going to try to do daily posts (already a day behind!), so this is my last chance to finish up Virginia!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luray, Virginia:
Caverns, Main Street, Car & Carraige Caravan Museum, Garden Maze

The caverns in Luray are pretty sweet. Still actively forming formations, and someone had the awesome idea to make an organ out of some choicely-pitched stalagtites and some mallets. Hokey but awesome.

Luray's historic old town has a very charming Main Street, along with a lovely little place to have lunch called Artisan's Cafe.

There is randomly this really amazing collection of old carriages and automobiles next to the entrance to the caverns, and we saw some amazing old cars. I asked my daddy if we could take home a 1932 Rolls Royce. He said no.

There was also a garden maze, which is always fun.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charlottesville, Virginia

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, University of Virginia

We visited Thomas Jefferson's famous estate (no photos allowed inside the house, Google some, it's amazing) and learned a lot about him, then went over to the University of Virginia (which he founded, along with James Madison and James Monroe) to check out some historic architecture and past students' residences (Edgar Allan Poe and Woodrow Wilson being the most notable, their rooms at the end of the section respectively).

Monticello: 

 

University of Virginia (including lunch at The Virginian, a pub around the corner):

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Staunton, Virginia

Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Library, Museum, and Birthplace

We went to see Woodrow Wilson's birth house, where his museum has since been built next door.  Again, no photos allowed inside the house, which is a pity, but we learned a lot about him we didn't know before as well.  And, it was neat to have the connection of seeing Jefferson's home the day before, then seeing his university which Wilson eventually attended, then seeing Wilson's birth home.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

We went canoeing on the last day we stayed at the resort.  It was beautiful, calm, and peaceful... well, until my parents capsized in the middle of a rapid and Loren and I had to fish one out while the other got the upside-down boat safely to the side.  You know, just a typical day.

And, I couldn't end a travel post without photos of food.  So:

Romano's Italian Bistro: McGaheysville, Virginia (closest decent restaurant to our resort - delicious!)