and walked down to the Lincoln Memorial. I love this picture. Our flag, a symbol of pride and freedom, as it blows across this monument to the great Patriots that fought to free the 13 colonies to become our great nation. 
President Lincoln, a great man indeed. As you read the Gettysberg address, while standing the shadow of this tremendous monument, you can feel the passion and the wisdom of this man. A true American. From Lincoln's memorial, we walked to the Korean War Memorial. 
My grandfather served as a platoon leader in the Korean War. I have heard some of his stories, but I have never been able to wrap my head around his actual service. But in this memorial, I saw some of his experiences. I could see the heavy boots and clothing he has described; and I could feel his burden as I looked into the face of this platoon leader.
Along this granite wall are these etchings of the soldiers among the Korean people. In this image, I saw my grandfather as a young man. I couldn't look away from it. He looks nothing like this man, but this was the first time I have ever been able to picture my grandfather in the war. I was truely touched and I am thankful for his willingness to serve his country, to help a people he had never met. 
I can't sufficiently express the feelings of grattitude and reverence as we saw these great monuments to the men and women that have sacrificed much to make our country what it is today. And then we had a little fun...
I was far more interested in his gardens though, as was Andy. Mr. Jefferson was innovative, but frugal. The actual craftmanship of the home was a let down after visiting the Williamsburg yesterday and walking through the governor's palace. But Mr. Jefferson did spend much of his time creating ways to make the lives of those around him easier. Things like the pulley system that moved wine bottles between the dining room and the wine cellar below (tucked neatly into the sides of the fireplace that heated the room). Or his polygraph machine that had a mechanical arm that followed his arm as he wrote, creating a second copy at exactly the same time. Brilliant.
into bright yellows and reds, mixed with the evergreens, the oranges of pumpkins in the vegetable garden and the pinks of the flowers, I was stunned by the colors (though it was a cloudy rainy day and so the colors are pretty drab in my photos). It almost looked like a painting, something created by an artist. Which I suppose it was, created by an artist of sorts.
This was a window treatment in Lady Dunmore's dressing room. She was the wife of the last Brittish governor in Virginia. As a carpenter's wife, I suppose that I have developed an eye for beautiful and very skilled craftmanship. I was amazed by the beauty of the palace, mostly done without painting the wood, which was a symbol of status then since paint was so expensive and difficult to make.
They moved the lighthouse 2,900 feet to a safer locatation back from the eroding shoreline. A feat that took 23 days! For a litle perspective, do you notice Andy just to the right of the lighthouse base? We walked the 248 steps to the top of the lighthouse, the equivalent of climbing the stairs of a 12 story building! It was a climb, but it was worth it!
(The view from the top looking straight down) 
It is this strip of land about 30 miles east of the mainland, and the true kiteboarding Mecca of the United States. 
At one point today, I counted over 35 kites in the air! The winds were blowing at 30-35 mph this morning, a little strong for Andy's liking. But slowed to about 25-28 mph. He loved it! 
I love the architecture here. The houses have interesting rooflines and they use interesting materials. I love the bright colors and white trim as well as the naturally weathered wood shingles. 
