As you can see we are a bit behind on our blog because the Inauguration post, as well as the event, took a lot out of us. So I will try to quickly and efficiently catch you up on the events in our lives following President Obama's first days in office.


Monticello
Charlottesville, Virginia


We checked out of our hotel in Richmond and headed to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. It was located in the opposite direction we needed to go but we thought it would be an interesting side trip nonetheless. We arrived around 1pm and made our way to the visitor's center in order to catch the shuttle bus for the tour. We were quickly led in to view his compact and innovative home. Jefferson did not believe in wasting time or space and this was very evident in the way he lived. Our tour guide was obviously a retired school teacher and was very knowledgeable and entertaining to listen to. He built the beds into walls to maximize space, he only had rooms built that both him and his family would use. Everything was covered with art, self-portraits, wall hangings, statues, maps and books. He was a very well read man and has been quoted as saying "I can not live without books." He is clearly a man after my own heart. He was also a self taught architect and he learned everything by trial and error. His vision was for a self-sustaining farm that would supply enough for his family and his workers. The tour lasted around 40 minutes and then we were free to roam around the grounds as well as underneath the house. This is where the kitchen was located, where the beer was brewed and where the vegetables are still grown today (they give them to the employees). We walked back down the hill to stop at his grave site and then we were on our way to Asheville, North Carolina.


Bon Paul & Sharky's Hostel
Asheville, North Carolina


This has been the most eccentric hostel I have stayed in yet. It is named after the owner's (who currently resides in Mexico) two goldfish. It is run by very laid back hipsters and felt a lot like a college party house. We only had $30 on us (the cost was $46 for both bunks) so we paid what we could with the promise of going to an ATM the next morning. The shower was a claw footed bath tub held up with electrical tape and the bunks were very old and I'm pretty sure the sheets weren't that clean. But we were happy to have a cheap place to stay and caught up on our journal writing and postcards before heading to bed.

We got up pretty early the next morning which happens when you sleep on creaky bunks with a house full of strangers. We had to battle the construction workers to move their vans so we could pull out of the tiny parking lot. After Dave parked the van on the street we went in search of an ATM and then found an organic coffee shop across the street to grab breakfast. Dave ordered a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and I ordered the Strata. I had visions of Dave's mother's cheesy, greasy goodness but was disappointed when I was presented with a quiche like triangle filled with peppers, onions and many other things I don't eat. Dave gave me half of his breakfast sandwich for which I thanked him profusely. We paid the rest of our bill to Bon Paul & Sharky and were off to see the world's largest home.


The Biltmore
Asheville, North Carolina


This home is the glorious vision of George Vanderbilt come to life. We bought our tickets and then headed up the 3 mile drive in the middle of the forest and along a beautiful stream. We got to experience most of the rooms even though some are closed due to restorations. We walked through the atrium, dining room, breakfast room, smoking room, billiard room, master bedrooms and guest bedrooms among many others. This is also one of the first houses to have indoor plumbing with a total of 43 bathrooms! We also saw the servants quarters and got to go downstairs to the basement which was by far the most interesting part of our self-guided tour. This is where all of the recreational activities were held. He had built a state of the art gym, swimming pool, many changing rooms for his guests and even a bowling alley! I know at least two Edsalls who would love a bowling alley in the basement of their home. This is also where the kitchens, plural, were. He had a pastry kitchen, main kitchen and rotisserie kitchen. He had a refrigeration unit, a canning room and quite a few pantries. It took us quite a long time to walk through it all but we did enjoy our time imagining what it would be like to live in a home that magnificent.

We then stopped at the winery for a tasting of Biltmore wine and champagne. We found out how they make it, bottle it and store it. It also made us want to watch Sideways. Then finally we were on our way back to Georgia.


See you in Hotlanta!
Emily