A Visit From Flat Stanley

I am sorry to be entering this late. This trip was actually February 23. We have been a bit busy around here lately, so it was harder for me to get out on the big computer to post these pictures.

Our nephew Blake sent us his Flat Stanley recently. We were very glad for the opportunity. Of course we wanted to do the best job we could before sending Flat Stanley back to Blake's second grade class. One of the items on the list is to take a picture with Flat Stanley at a landmark of some kind near where you live. Considering that Monticello is about 20 miles or less from our house and it is a recognizable landmark, we chose to take Flat Stanley to Monticello.

I have been to Monticello, but Trent still hadn't. I also had a Relief Society board meeting that morning and was recovering from Ashley's sleepover. So, Trent and Ashley took Flat Stanley up to Monticello. I understand that Flat Stanley was very well behaved. He did not try and jump on the beds or try on Jefferson's boots or sit in the chair in Jefferson's study. What did Flat Stanley learn you ask. Well, I can't be certain, but I will catalog some of Ashley's and Trent's impressions.

Ashley has been to Monticello before. She went with me. She was surprised that all of the flowers around the west lawn are gone. It was late summer when she and I went before. Ashley also thought it was very cool that she was the only one who raised her hand when the tour guide asked who had been there before. Finally, she loved that her dad walked down to the parking lot with her instead of riding the shuttle bus back down. I am glad they did that too. It was a great way to gauge how long the walk is in case we ever wanted to just go up to the grounds or the gift shop without taking a house tour.

Trent, first off, got to finally figure out where Monticello is exactly. It seems impossible that it could be up as high as it is when you drive past the turn off on the 53, which he does at least 10 times a week. Once you have been there though, you get an appreciation for the idea of Mr. Jefferson's mountain. Next, Trent remarked on what he discovered he and Thomas Jefferson had in common. I loved his observation, because I think most people think about those attributes of Thomas Jefferson that they don't share with him. It was interesting to think of him as a typical guy in some ways. For instance, Trent noted that he and Jefferson both liked gadgets and enjoyed taking something someone had already created and trying to improve upon it. All true. Jefferson was certainly the 18th/19th century equivalent of a gadget guy. Trent did make one observation that I found funny. Jefferson was criticized for having such a grand home with no grand staircase. There are two very small and steep staircases off to either side of the house in Monticello. Jefferson's response to this criticism was that a grand staircase took up space and was unnecessary. Trent found this hilarious considering that there is a dome on Monticello and the dome room where you can actually see the dome is and was seldom used. Well, we all have those things that are unnecessary but which we absolutely love don't we?

In composing the letter to accompany Flat Stanley back to Kaysville, I reflected on all of the history of Virginia. Like John Denver sang, life is old here. It was fascinating to think about even the main points of history here in Virginia. Those reflections are perhaps best left for another post though. For now, here is one more picture of Ashley and Flat Stanley on the west lawn at Monticello. Thanks Trent for the great pictures. Thanks Blake for the great opportunity. We hope you and your classmates have as much fun learning about Flat Stanley's Virginia adventure as we did planning it.