George Mason and the Mt. Vernon Trail


Between rainstorms today we hiked to George Mason's plantation, a long hike of over a quarter-mile....  Our group displayed a wide range of enthusiasm tempered by my request to stop for a photo.


George was one of the richest Virginia colonists who was one of the delegates to the constitutional convention of 1787 but refused to sign the constitution to be ratified by the states because he said there was no bill of rights and the executive branch was too powerful.  He complained loudly and after the states ratified the new constitution, the first 10 amendments are now our "Bill of Rights".



Some of the glassware the early colonists had printed to complain about the tyranny of the British and some of the current campaigns as well are on display in the visitor's center of the plantation.


Here are the kitchen, laundry, and garden buildings that slaves ran for the Masons.


On the other side of the home was a storage house a schoolhouse where special tutors were hired to provide his children with the best education.


The children had the best iPads available at the time.


This picture of Sue was taken 9 years ago when she and I were riding around the DC mall.  She is discussing the need for improvements in bicycle safety and George Mason's stature seems to be in agreement since rumor has it that he was an avid bicyclist in the 18th century!!


After our visit to the plantation, we sat out a short rain shower then took a 20-mile ride starting at the southern end of the Mt. Vernon trail up to Alexandria.  It is a great ride with lots of ups and downs and other bikes to keep us on our toes.



This massive overpass is part of the I 495 loop around Washington DC that crosses the Potomac River and goes over the Mt. Vernon trail.


The area underneath the overpass provides large areas of public access.  Yoga was getting started here as we rode by.

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