Christ's Church & Mount Vernon Day 3

For today's video click Here
Where do the days go?  Today we drove to Old Town Alexandria to get a tour of Christ's Church.  The owner of the house we are staying in, is a docent there on Wednesday and he invited us down.  It was a phenomenal tour.  This church was constructed in 1773, before the American Revolution began.  It was the church of Washington after the war was over (Pohick was his original church) and was the church of Robert E. Lee.  Outside stands an old Elm tree.  Under this Elm tree George Washington said good-bye to his friends and headed off to become our first President.  Wow.. I can't believe I was standing in the exact place.  Also, under this tree Robert E. Lee was first approached and offered the position of Head Confederate commander in the Civil War.  The church itself was beautiful.  It is still a church and has a congregation of 2400 people every Sunday (four services).  We were allowed to sit in Robert E. Lee's pew.  Also, we were allowed to sit in George Washington's pew.  In George Washington's pew also sat, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill Prime Minister of Great Britain.  I just sat there and marveled at this.
We then headed over to Mount Vernon again to continue our Orientation tours.  Unbelievable, I've been there three days now, and have not seen everything.  When we got there they took our pictures for the estate, which are way better than driver license photos.  After this, we walked down to the Pioneer farm in 87 degree 90% humidity weather.  It was gorgeous but hot.  I felt like I was walking in the movie "The Patriot" with all the trees surrounding us and the sounds all around.  It is just beautiful down there.  My daughter just loved the Heirloom animals we saw on the way.  These breeds are of the same stock that George Washington (or the "The General" as everyone calls him at Mount Vernon) had on his estate when we was alive.  We saw sheep and cows today.  We also found the "kitchen" garden along the way.  This garden was to provide food for the family.  A fun fact is that Martha Washington's favorite vegetable was the Artichoke. A favorite in our household as well.  The debate is always butter, mayo, or nothing as you eat this great vegetable.  If you love it as well, you are in great company.  If you don't, try it again and channel your inner Martha.  If you've never tried it, leave now and go get one.
We then did some more of the education center, and I wanted to get my daughter into some of the movies.  Her first movie theater experience was an American Revolution documentary.  Nice.  The snow was falling, the cannons were firing, and she loved it.  She was awesome.  Every time she heard a word she understood she whispered it to me.  "Virginia", "George Washington".  She then fell asleep and my wife and I spent a ton of time in the Museum.  Just amazing.  Where to begin?  Well, all I have to say, is that you have to come to this place.  In the museum, they had a recipe for Hoecakes (Some of my students have made and tried them) and we will be making those soon.
After a long day, we headed home, with a quick stop at the AT&T store to get a new Iphone as my Iphone home button stopped working.  They were great.  No, I did not get an Iphone 5 as I'm pretty frugal, so it was the Iphone 4S (it was cheaper).
I also, was asked to work "Colonial Day" at Mount Vernon estate, which I'm SUPER EXCITED about.  On October 19th, I'll get dressed up in Colonial garb (you get your wish Mr. Hoy), and I'll be located at the Pioneer Farm.  Students from all over Virginia will come and I'll be trained in one specific colonial aspect to instruct them on.  I'll be doing that all morning.  Sounds awesome!!!  The people at Mount Vernon as awesome.
Off to watch the Presidential debate.  I'm pretty excited about this stuff.  The only bummer is that it starts at 9 pm here to accommodate all you on the West Coast.  I'll be a bit tired tomorrow!!!