Some dear friends, Marie and Jeff Mee, just visited Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop masterpiece, Monticello, and I was taken back through a myriad of my own visits since 1974.

I think my visit-count is 22.

It’s one of my historical happy places. I would wager to say I prefer Monticello over any other historical sites, including the Lincoln historical sites. I love feeling Jefferson’s passion for architecture, music, art, gardening, and thirst for knowledge.

I hope to visit Monticello one more time, merging it with memories of previous visits.