Mount Vernon

Mel's family came out to visit April last year and they went out to Mount Vernon and when a ticket costs $15 and an annual pass cost about $5-$10 more it kind of makes since, when you live in the area, to get an annual pass and go a least 2 times (especially since there is NO way you could see everything you would want to see in one visit). Since then Mel and I have been talking about going to Mount Vernon, but it was put off again and again until Saturday April 11th (the day Mel's pass expired of course :))

It was raining, but despite that the parking lots were full and the lines kind of long. I guess Mount Vernon's a good place to visit when it's raining. You can easily spend your whole time inside if you'd like, which is what Mel and I did. Confession...we didn't even make it to the Mansion...we spent all our time in the Museum and Education center (and we still didn't get to see everything in detail, we practically ran through the Education Center's displays.)

At the entrance of the Education Center they have this carving of George Washington's head. No matter where stand, to the left or right or directly in the middle George is looking at you. As you move his gaze follows you. Pretty cool (and kind of creepy at the same time...)

Yes. These are all from the same carving. Amazing what they can do.

They don't allow you to take pictures in the museum, so most of are pictures are from the Education Center or the Ford Orientation Center.

These are from the Ford Orientation Center, where you enter Mount Vernon. We took some pictures to help pass time while we waited for the next video start. The video "We Fight to be Free" gives visitors very brief highlights from George Washington's life.

Melanie joined the Washington Family

Some of the amazing stained glass windows they have on display.

(I'm not actually sure where this picture was taken...Orientation Center or Education Center...take your pick.)

In the Learning Center they have life-size wax figures they created using a life mask of George Washington and then using an aging program they created some young George Washingtons, highlighting some of the major events/times in his life.

Young George at his first job as a surveyor

General George Washington

The swearing in of President Washington

Overall good times. Too bad we ran out of time. But don't worry...I bought an Annual Pass so we'll just have to go again. If there's anyone interested in joining, let me know.