Yesterday we left Charlottesville early and stopped at Montpelier, the Virginia country home of Dolley and James Madison (the fourth president of the United States). We were here three years ago when the home was still in the beginning stages of restoration. The structural work and the outside and grounds are pretty much complete, but there is still work to do on the inside, such as wall paper and paint and interior furnishings. It's in such a beautiful spot and it was a beautiful sunny day, but not too warm. James Madison is often called the "Father of the Constitution" and his wife Dolley was well known for her graciousness and social gatherings. When I get home I'm going to look for a good biography of her or maybe both of them.
After a pleasant morning at Montpelier we drove up to Marshall, Virginia to visit Arlene and Darryl Jenkins. Arlene was my roommate for a couple of years at BYU and stood in our wedding line. It's been at least thirty-five years since we last saw each other and Randl an
d I had never met her husband Darryl. We had the most delightful afternoon and evening with them. After they showed us around their beautiful home and acreage (complete with large pond, rose garden, fruits and vegetables), they gave us a grand driving tour of the country surrounding Marshall and Middleburg. Rolling hills of grassland surround elegant homes and horse barns. We ended up at a quaint little restaurant in Upperville, where we ate some of the most scrumptious food of our trip. It was a long way from where Arlene and I grew up and went to school, but it was good to find out that our friendship has withstood the years and the distance. We'll have to plan another trip to Virginia to pick up where we left off with Arlene and Darryl and the progress at Montpelier.
d I had never met her husband Darryl. We had the most delightful afternoon and evening with them. After they showed us around their beautiful home and acreage (complete with large pond, rose garden, fruits and vegetables), they gave us a grand driving tour of the country surrounding Marshall and Middleburg. Rolling hills of grassland surround elegant homes and horse barns. We ended up at a quaint little restaurant in Upperville, where we ate some of the most scrumptious food of our trip. It was a long way from where Arlene and I grew up and went to school, but it was good to find out that our friendship has withstood the years and the distance. We'll have to plan another trip to Virginia to pick up where we left off with Arlene and Darryl and the progress at Montpelier.
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