Mount Vernon

We left Arlington National Cemetery and headed to Mount Vernon.  While we were not overly impressed by the home itself (no photography allowed, so you just have to take our word for it), the grounds were spectacular.  The land is so vast (and the property was 8 times larger back in Washington's time) that we didn't even have the chance to see everything, the views are spectacular and the vegetation lush.  It was amazing.

Life size replicas of George, Martha and Martha's children. 

The tomb of George Washington. 

Monument to the many slaves that worked and died on the plantation.  George and Martha drew up papers to free all of the slaves on their plantation after their deaths.  Martha lived for a few years after George passed and about a year before her death, she freed all of the slaves.  Many stayed on and continued working at Mount Vernon.

Washington's view from the shore of the Potomac.  Spectacular.

Some of the fields are still planted each year.  Washington was an ingenious farmer and inventor of many items related to farming.  We were surprised as we read of his ingenuity on the various placards around the property.

And of course, there were sheep. 

Martha Washington.... 

This tree was planted by George Washington himself.  The girls were tickled that they got to touch something planted by our first president! 

Mount Vernon 

This kid cracks me up.