day 48, Virginia to Missouri, USA

We are on our way again.....over The Commonwealth of Virginia, an American state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States.

The geography of the state is shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, home to much of the state's flora and fauna.
We decided to stop in Virginia on Bonnie Jeanne's http://www.postcrossing.com /user/Zmrzlina recommendation...since she knows all the "cool" UNESCO world heritage sites in her country pretty well.

All of us greatly admire Thomas Jefferson, who was a man of creative genius whose writings and architecture embody ideals of universal freedom, self-determination and self-fulfillment that continue to inspire humanity.
He gave form to the nascent United States through his philosophical writings, his service to the country, and more literally through hi s architectural innovation.
Between 1784 and 1809 he designed, built and then rebuilt his home, Monticello, perched atop a hill in Virginia's Piedmont, so we decided to pay the estate a visit.

The low, red-brick structure with its Doric portico and white octagonal dome served as a laboratory for Jefferson's landscape, architectural, political, and domestic ideas.
Monticello is definitely an impressive estate! The grounds include a vegetable garden terrace, magnificent flower gardens, two vineyards and re-created orchard.

By, the way, did you know that his grave is in a family cemetery on the estate?

Thomas Jefferson wasn't only the author of the Declaration of Independence and the 3rd President of the USA, he also was the founder of the University of Virginia.

Monticello and the University of Virginia were both strongly influenced by Jefferson's study of neoclassical architecture, which he was introduced to during his years as American Ambassador in Paris. His design for the University is extremely significant as a physical architectural embodiment of his social and educational vision and unique view towards providing educational opportunity for all citizens of the new republic.

West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States that is noted for its natural beauty, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its labor history.

It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, caving,fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and hunting.
We haven't sang since Mexico guys......so we decided to sing as we drove through scenic West Virginia.



The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America.
Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the fact that bluegrass is present in many of the lawns and pastures throughout the state.
It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources,including the world's longest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park, the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the Lower 48 states, and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.

It is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States, the largest free ranging elk herd east of Montana, and the nation's most productive coalfield.
Kentucky is also known for thoroughbred horses, horse racing, bourbon distilleries, bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, and college basketball
Amit wants to go to the Race Course......on our return visit, I promise you can go to the races.

One original Kentucky dish is called the Hot Brown, a dish normally layered in this order: toasted bread, turkey, bacon, tomatoes and topped with mornay sauce.
Stop smacking your lips Feroz.....yes... we have all heard of Kentucky because of KFC....Harland Sanders originated Kentucky Fried Chicken at his service station in Corbin, Kentucky, but did you know that the first franchised KFC was located in South Salt Lake City, Utah?

Missouri is a state in the Midwest region of the United States...