June 7, 2018
We are staying in Quality Inn's this trip using some of our Choice Reward Points. Ben is not traveling and spending nights nearly as much as he was but we still manage to accumulate enough points for quite good reductions in room costs. The Quality Inn in Mount Vernon is well located and very clean. Beds were good, service quick when we needed new batteries for the TV remote, and had a hot breakfast with something for everyone. Only ding was how long it was - must have been 50 rooms all in a row - up and down - and we were near the back - quiet but a long walk to breakfast!
After breakfast we headed out - first stop was a CVS to buy a new pair of sunglasses for Jane. Lost a part yesterday and while they worked OK for the drive - not so much for a busy moving around day. Found it less than a block from the hotel. The drive to Mount Vernon was not far - maybe 8 miles. We found a parking place easily - we had been afraid it was going to be very crowded since all the morning house tour tickets sold out between Sunday when first looking at the website and Tuesday when we went back to purchase...our tickets were for 1:15.
We walked right in with our online ticket purchases and wandered around in the visitor center and then in the museum. The museum was nicely done with interactive exhibits, films, and numerous displays. At 11:45 we headed to the Mount Vernon Inn for lunch. Our choices were good. Jane had VA Peanut and Chestnut soup and Hoecakes with Country Ham, Crab, and Hollandaise Sauce. They were both yummy. Ben had Colonial Onion soup and Chips with Chips with Bacon, Tomato, Chives and Mornay Sauce. Since we shared I can attest all were good. We enjoyed a gentleman who played tunes on a flute during our lunch. We had walked in and were seated immediately but as we left about 12:45 there was a line waiting to be seated.
We found our way to the area where you waited in line for your tour of the Washington Home. The home is not large so you go through the various rooms in groups of 12-15. We were in line with an interesting young mom and son about Daniel's age. They were from Arizona. She had been sworn in yesterday in front of the Supreme Court to be able to try cases there. She had a case that was potentially headed to the Supreme Court and had just completed all the requirements. They had gotten to personally meet the justices. The son did not seem to impressed.
The home is well maintained with a couple rooms under renovation. I always had thought the building was stone but it was wood carved to appear to be stone and covered with a sand like coating.
We toured two drawing rooms - a private and public - a large dining or ball room, and a bedroom. Then went upstairs for several more bedrooms. The most impressive two rooms were Washington's Bedroom upstairs and his Office downstairs. These were the last two rooms added to the house. They had the most original furnishings. The kitchen area was located nearby but not actually a part of the house. Mount Vernon is not a part of the National Park System and is managed by a Women's Auxiliary type group that was formed soon after Washington's death to preserve the home for the country.
After the tour we returned to the back of the home where there is a porch the length of the home overlooking the Potomac River. There was a slight breeze and it was very pleasant sitting there looking out over the river. The guide told us about 10 years ago some sort of development was planned for the Maryland side of the river, public outcry stopped it and now the beautiful view is preserved forever. The guide pointed out Fort Washington which we will visit tomorrow. It would be upper left in the photo.
We wandered about the grounds for a short time and called it a day returning to the Sprinter about 3:30. You could well stay 2-3 more hours to see all the gardens, the tomb, and the grist mill. There was also a boat trip on the Potomac for an additional fee. We knew we would probably not be up all that so did not participate. The river tour might be nice. There was a shuttle bus that would take you to the grist mill and I believe to the wharf where the boat left.
We drove back to our hotel and did a little research into plans for dinner. Ben really did not want to drive in the District traffic so we were going to eat in Mount Vernon and south Alexandria. After much review and discussion we found a Chinese restaurant that was known for its' Peking Duck. Most places we have been you must order Peking Duck a day ahead....this place has it all the time. There are two locations one in Alexandria and another in Annandale. Interesting story on the web. Anyway it was not too far away which made it ever better. We had never had Peking Duck and thought this was our chance!
We arrived - did not look like much business but it was 5:30 so we thought we would give it a try - went in and were greeted by a very polite Chinese woman who explained their credit card machine was not working and we would have to pay cash. There were 3-4 groups eating. We checked the menu for price of Peking Duck and our cash (don't carry as much cash as we used too) and told the woman what we wanted and how much money we had - she said we can do it!
Not too sure what we were getting and because we did not have lots of extra cash and were not starving - we just ordered 1/2 Peking Duck...$19.00. When it came - it was a whole duck - a cook came out with it and carved 1/2 of it for us. First the crispy skin, then the inner tender meat. They also brought pancakes - soft ones - then a sauce, and slivered green onions. To eat it you layer sauce, the onions, some crispy skin, and some tender meat. Roll it up like a taco and eat! After the server did one for us we managed the rest ourselves. It was very good particularly the crispy skin! Glad we had the opportunity to experience this and glad we had the cash to pay!
Sorry for the poor quality of some of photos. I did not bring camera, was using my phone which was dying...I am off to the Apple Store for a new battery or a new phone on Monday!
We stopped at a grocery for some desert and to get some cash since we were down to less than $5.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment