Soulfood

Work concerns necessitated that I stay in the Richmond, VA, area (or RVA as the locals call it) through Monday afternoon so as has been my custom since meeting folks from there at the PCA GA in 2023, I worshipped with the family of God at Hope PCA in Crozet, VA, this morning. I’m still recovering from another bout with a head cold (that’s two different varietals in the past 3 weeks…yuck) I declined a lunch invitation and headed back east.

If the weather was nicer I would have taken in some fresh air (for my health) at a park with steel baskets where one could attempt to deposit discs. But since I got my weekly round in yesterday (82 weeks in a row and counting!) I decided to take it easy on myself today. Sort of.

I knew that the route to Crozet from Richmond took me past Monticello so when I headed east I was looking for the signs. I turned off onto the scenic/historic highway and, not having eaten anything but a wafer and cup of juice (sigh) so far into the day, I looked for summat to et. I found a tavern called Michie’s on the way, which claims to have been around as far back as 1784. I had a delightful meal of chicken, beans, green beans, stewed tomatoes (sooo good), cole slaw, and buttermilk biscuits with a Tavern Brown Ale, local Pinot Grigio, coffee, and water. I passed on the “renowned” peach cobbler, but the second biscuit and piece of fried chicken left me feeling in need of a walk.

As I drove further towards Monticello I saw a boardwalk up on the hill and became enamored of the idea that there might be a public path up that way. Sure enough, I found that it led from the parking area at the Monticello visitors center. So I took a leisurely stroll in the rain in 35ish (F) degree weather and enjoyed the views of the fog and the woods. I got a bit of a nice vista of Charlottesville at one point. But mostly I got cold. However, by the end of the walk I was no longer feeling sluggish!

I made my way back the visitors center and purchased a ticket to walk the grounds. I think I could have snuck in by just walking up the path but I guess my ticket paid for a shuttle ride up the hill. Next time I know better – just walk and save. Maybe. I might still have needed to have a ticket.

Monticello is quite fascinating as a property. The main house is on top of a mountain, with two arms extending westward on the north and the south sides. The north side had the icehouse and the stables. The south side had the kitchens and some slave quarters. A little down the slope from the south arm was a row of buildings (only a few foundations remain) including a textile mill, smithy, carpentry shop, and more slave quarters. Down the slope from there was the vegetable gardens – over 2 acres! – and then the vineyard and orchards. Farther west was the area where they made charcoal.

It is an amazing property, that was tainted all through by the stupendous hypocrisy of its owner and designer – a man who proclaimed equality and liberty for all men, but who yet used his wealth and power to subjugate others to his perverted and selfish desires. The extent of Jefferson’s depravity are open records at this point. Truly there are no great men, but only great sinners who need an even greater Savior. Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner!

By all accounts Jefferson rejected Jesus Christ and trusted in his own brand of goodness. Surely justice is served to him, and may we all take heed.

I found the grounds (I didn’t tour the house) beautiful and explored them for over 90 minutes on foot. The vegetable gardens are superb. The ingenuity of the overall design is impressive. I’d like to come again when all the flowers are in bloom! I got some seeds harvested from the gardens in Monticello (which can be purchased in the gift shop) to use in my own little plot this season.

All in all, a lovely way to spend a cold and rainy afternoon when one is nursing a cold. At least, that’s how I feel about it.

250 years on from the Declaration of Independence – men are still not free unless they are set free indeed by the Son. Lord, have mercy on us poor sinners! Come quickly, oh Lord!