Country Vacations & Resorts

Anyone in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas might want a reminder that the Montpelier Hunt Races take place starting November 5, 2011 – first race post time is 12:30pm.

Read more about America’s 4th President, James Madison and his estate, Montpelier.

Hopefully, the mid-Atlantic weather will be better this coming weekend than last. This can be a great time of year to visit this beautiful Virginia countryside!

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Time in Office: 1809 to 1817
Terms: Two
Birthday: March 16, 1751
Birth Place: Belle Grove Plantation, Port Conway, King George County, Virginia
Date of Death: June 28, 1836
Place of Death: Montpelier, Virginia
Buried: Madison Family Cemetery, Montpelier, Virginia

Notes:

~ Often called the “Father of the Constitution.”
~ Oldest of 12 children.
~ Graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), in 1771.
~ First President to have served in the United States Congress.
~ Madison’s famous wife Dolley was expelled from the “Society of Friends” for marrying James, a non-Quaker.

Often known as a protege of Thomas Jefferson, America’s fourth President, like most of the other “Founding Fathers” of the United States, spent little of his life idle. After spending several years with local tutors, Madison entered the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1769. He graduated in 1771 and then spent an additional year there studying Hebrew and political philosophy.

Young James Madison

Returning to his home Montpelier, Madison then made numerous trips to both Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia while working with Jefferson on the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. 1787 found James at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Madison’s draft of the “Virginia Plan” is known to be the basis of what was to become the American Constitution. His political interest and personal diligence made him an important leader in the First to Fourth Congress, (1787 – 1797), held at Congress Hall in Philadelphia. He was United States Secretary of State from 1801-1809 and was President of the United States from 1809 to 1817.

Today, it is difficult to even imagine travel for Madison in his time frame. Although the majority of his travel was from Montepelier to other locations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and eventually Washington, DC, think about this travel on horseback. Eight day’s trip by horse from Virginia to Philadelphia with stops at taverns for food, water, lodgings, and care and feeding of the all important horses. This is also “uncovered” travel most of the time.

The Mid-Atlantic States, home to most of the Founding Father’s travels, can have very harsh winters – with snow, hail, high winds, and icy roads. There were no “big city” lights to look for heading into a town down a dark lane. No DOT (Department of Transportation), crews to call if a large tree happens to fall and blocks your one entrance path to the next town.

Madison would have been “on travel” almost constantly from around 1785 to 1817. It is remarkable to think of his political accomplishments in this 32 years when you consider time on the road with no electricity, no automobile, no phone, no email, no fax machine, and no advance internet reservations for hotels with room service!

You have to contrast, looking at all the legislation, bills and important amendments Madison wrote, our current fast-traveling politicians – many who have publicly declared that they often sign what they haven’t even read.

By the time Madison left the Presidency in 1817 and retired to Montpelier, he was 65 years old.

Aerial view (artist’s rendering) – Montpelier

Some 30 miles and a day’s ride away from Jefferson’s Monticello lies James Madison’s Virginia plantation – Montpelier. It is here that Madison spent the majority of the rest of his life outside his position as President of the University of Virginia – a role he took over on the death of Thomas Jefferson, and that he held until his own death in 1836.

Both Madison and his plantation were both in financial trouble at the time of his return there in 1817 – no doubt enhanced by the fact that he had spent so little time there during the preceding years. Having devoted so much of his physical and mental strength to the governing of the country, Madison was actually bedridden and could barely speak for nearly a year in 1831 and 1832.

Montpelier today, in the Piedmont area of Virginia, is a National Historic Landmark of over 2,650 acres which is connected to the James Madison Forest – 200 acres of old growth Piedmont forest – the largest in the eastern United States.

Montpelier provides a beautiful backdrop to many events during the year such as the Montpelier Hunt Races – held this year on November 6, 2010, Montpelier Wine Weekends, or a Candlelight Christmas at Montpelier held December 3-5th.

On travel next with America’s fifth President, James Monroe.

“Traveling with American Presidents” list.

Our “C” travel wish destination is Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Charlottesville is in Albemarle county, near the center of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, nestled near the Blue Ridge Mountains, and full of American history. At only 150 miles from Washington, DC and about 75 from Richmond, Virginia, a trip to Charlottesville is both easy to navigate and rewarding for tourists and other interested visitors.

Home to the beautiful University of Virginia, Charlottesville was named for Charlotte, Queen Consort of King George III of England.  One has to wonder how George then viewed his wife after England lost the American colonies!  Those pesky Americans may have had something to do with George’s bouts of madness later in his reign, but the American colonies did manage to hang on to Virginia and Charlottesville is one of Virginia’s true gems.  Thomas Jefferson designed the Rotunda at the University of Virginia and the campus itself is a tourist attraction.

History and things to see…

Plan on making at least one if not two days of your time in Charlottesville devoted to the manors and mansions formerly owned by early political luminaries such as Thomas Jefferson (Monticello), James and Dolley Madison (Montpelier), and James Monroe (Ash Lawn-Highland). If you love colonial architecture, you will not be disappointed.

The nearby Shenandoah National Park offers recreational activities and beautiful scenery, with rolling mountains and many hiking trails. Skyline Drive is a well-known scenic drive that runs the length of the park, alternately winding through thick forest and emerging upon sweeping scenic overlooks. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a similar scenic drive that extends into neighboring North Carolina, terminates at the southern entrance of Shenandoah, where it becomes Skyline Drive.

You’ll want to have or rent a car to do justice to this rural area of Virginia.  The drives, whether through the Shenandoah Park, up or down Skyline Drive, or back and forth between the historic manor houses, require a bit of thoughtful navigation but it is well worth the effort and you’ll find scenic and tourist attractions clearly marked for your convenience.

Stop here and you’ll never be sorry or hungry!

One of my favorite stops in Charlottesville is The Ordinary at Mitchie Tavern. Don’t stop anywhere else for your mid-day repast if anywhere near this location!

Great and plentiful food such as Colonial fried chicken, Black-Eyed peas and stewed tomatoes, baby beets and killer coleslaw and let’s not forget the homemade biscuits and corn muffins. Wash this down with a mason jar full of sweet tea and you’ll be ready for the rest of your day’s travels and adventures. The building and shop offer a quaint look back in time and the staff is capable of handling an enormous crowd in record time so don’t panic if a tour bus or two is there when you stop by. You’ll be refreshed and rested once you’ve visited The Ordinary at Mitchie Tavern.

Back to downtown for the afternoon? The Albemarle Historical Society offers walking tours of the downtown area. Check their web site for details and schedules.

Shopping and entertainment

Don’t miss the Charlottesville City Market if you happen to be in the area on a Saturday from April to November.

Local fresh produce, herbs, plants, grass-fed meats, crafts, and baked goods are waiting for you. How about making your own picnic basket for a day’s driving tour of the area? Like fresh food? You’ll find it here. November 28th to December 19th sees the Market take on a holiday flair. Wreaths, ornaments and everything you can think of handcrafted for Christmas decorating and gift-giving is available for winter visitors and tourists.

Do you like antiques – looking or buying?

If you don’t, stay clear of Charlottesville since it is an antique lover’s paradise!

Here’s a great list of all local shopping venues.

Charlottesville is a scenic area, a great historical destination, and full of fun things to do…traveling solo or with your family. What better place to stay in Charlottesville than a B & B? Start with the best…bedandbreakfast.com!

Search Charlottesville,Virginia, USA

Or visit here to win a
$2500 Romantic Bed and Breakfast Escape

You’ll want to take a lot of pictures while touring this area.  I found a great deal for file storage perfect for heavy-duty vacation digital photography.  You won’t want to leave home without a FreeAgent once you have one.

Have fun!

Charlottesville Vacations