Mount Vernon, located about 15 miles from where we live, was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The house and his estate is located on the Potomac River and is in a beautiful location. It's 500 acres have been restored and renovated to look as it did back when George Washington walked the grounds.

The main attraction is the mansion and though it looks like it's made of stone and brick, is actually made of timber. There are a number of rooms and in one year the Washington's had over 600 visitors stay.

Following his two terms as President, George Washington returned to live at Mount Vernon until he passed away. He actually preferred to be referred to as General Washington, because he believed that he was always a General but only a President when you actually the current President.

Apparently first and foremost he believed that he was a farmer and it is evident as you move around the grounds that he spent a considerable amount of time and money perfecting different methods of growing, storing and cultivating the agriculture produced at Mount Vernon.

We visited the house with friends Darren and Kylee from Adelaide while they were staying with us. Thankfully it was a week day, so instead of the 1000's of people we would have to share the experience with, there was only a couple of hundred school children there on their end of year school holiday.

Certainly worth a visit if you have a few extra days in the DC area and after you have seen the main monuments and museums in DC.

For more information on Mount Vernon just click on the picture above.

Carol and Kylee with life size statues of George and Martha Washington	Playing in the front yard		The vegetable patch	The green house
	The kitchen of one of the farm managers	Carol, walking in the footsteps of American history		The view from the porch
One of General Washington's carriages	The tomb of George and Martha Washington		The main house kitchen