Montpelier

These kinds of scenes quickly take me back 200 years. It was a beautiful day to visit the home of the fourth president of the United States - James Madison. Although noted as "Father of the Constitution," I don't hear as much about Madison as I do the other Founding Fathers. To learn more, visit here.

Here's the view of the front yard from the south terrace. No pictures were allowed inside. Had it not been a cloudy day, you could have seen the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. Regardless, it was a beautiful site.

These were life-size statues of James and Dolley Madison. James was only 5'2" and weighed about 110 pounds. His character certainly made up for his lack of physical stature.

Mark was fascinated with the book Mr. Madison was reading. I wonder what book it was? :)

Madison erected a "temple" near his home. Thomas Jefferson suggested carpenter's for the job. Below it was a 2-story ice well so they could enjoy cool drinks and ice cream all summer long.

The kids, in true Christensen form, strike peculiar poses. James and Peter regularly win the prize for the most bizarre! :)

A subsequent owner placed a formal garden (where a practical garden used to be) and it has been well-maintained. It provided a nice walk back to the visitor center.

Here's a last shot as we were leaving. You can see Madison's temple near his home. James Madison is a man any student of democracy should study in great detail. He was inspired by the Almighty and it was here at Montpelier that he contemplated the formation of a "more perfect Union" and a new form of government--one that has safe-guarded our freedom for over 200 years.