The two major items that were stolen were the 9.9 Mercury outboard motor for the dinghy and our stabilizing binoculars. These two items alone were/are valued at over $3000. In addition, approximately another $1500-2000 worth of handheld electronics, a cooler and Longaberger baskets were taken. Captain Mark decided to replace the outboard motor with a smaller version. 
The thing that upset me the most was that BOTH sets of our Marriage Saver headsets were taken. I am so dependent on these that I made sure to have an extra pair and dog-gone-it, they stole both pairs. Luckily, Cruising Solutions was able to expedite shipping so we can continue to save our marriage. Taking a break from dropping money all over the western shore of Virginia on boating supplies, we decided to do the tourist thing and go spend a day at Monticello and Berkeley plantations respectively.
Monticello
Having watched the HBO series John Adams last year we learned more about Thomas Jefferson than either of us had in school. Therefore, we were very anxious to visit Monticello and see the house and grounds first hand. 
As one drives up the mountain, Mitchie Tavern and Mill are located half way up the scenic drive. This eatery was recommended to us by the Gloucester Sheriff Lieutenant who took our police report so we knew it came from a reputable source. True to the recommendation the food was plentiful and Captain Mark loved the homemade fried chicken (which is a real treat for him since I refuse to cook it for him). I found something more to my liking.
After lunch we continued on our way to the top of the mountain where Monticello sits. This was only one of the several “farms” owned by the Jefferson’s and was the main residence of Thomas Jefferson and his family. As a child, Thomas played and rode on this mountain and knew from early on that this is where he wanted to build his home. During 90% of Jefferson’s adult life, Monticello was a continuous work in progress. As an inventor, his ideas and creations along with his love of architecture are evident everywhere one looks both inside the house as well as on the grounds. For all of Jefferson’s accomplishments, he had one major flaw…he was constantly in debt for the extravagant purchases he made. Despite being land rich, he was cash poor. He loved fine wines, furnishings, artwork, and silver and he did not hesitate to purchase these things without regard to cost or his funds. Following Jefferson’s death, it took his grandson many years to pay all of the creditors.
Like his friend George Washington, Jefferson first and foremost thought of himself as a farmer. He too liked to experiment with plantings and worked hard to see that his plantations were self sufficient. Jefferson was a meticulous record keeper so it is easy for the gardens at Monticello today to be kept true to what was grown originally. When asked at the end of his life what he thought was his greatest achievement, he said that he most wanted to be remembered for founding the University of Virginia.
Berkeley Plantation
First settled by a company of British male colonists in December 1619, Berkeley Plantation claims to be the site of the first American Thanksgiving.
Given a sealed manifest, the colonists were instructed to open the document only upon landing in the new world. Reading their instructions, they learned that they were to immediately “give thanks” in prayer and meal for a safe journey from England. Additionally, it is interesting to note that these early colonists were the first to distill Bourbon Whiskey in America starting in 1621. 
Situated along the James River, Berkeley Plantation was built in 1726 by Benjamin Harrison and his wife Anne. They were the grandparents of William Henry Harrison, who later became the 9th US president. In turn, another Benjamin Harrison, William Henry’s grandson, would become the 23rd US president. 
The original Georgian mansion was constructed of brick fired on the plantation grounds by enslaved workers, both African and indentured. It is amazing that the original building is still standing and totally intact considering the violent episodes that have occurred on the grounds of Berkeley through the years. The first attack took place in 1622 (before the mansion was built) when a raid led by Pocahontas’ cousin forced the surviving original British settlers to flee to Jamestown, twenty miles down the James River. It was several years later that Benjamin Harrison IV claimed the property and had the house built. 
During the Civil War the main house, the two small houses and grounds were occupied by General McClellan and 140,000 Union soldiers. The small buildings and the lower floor of the main house were used as field hospitals while the upper floor of the mansion was headquarters for General McClellan and his officers. President Lincoln visited Berkeley in 1862 to visit with McClellan and to review the Union troops. Also during 1862, “Taps” was composed by Brigadier General Butterfield and his bugler Private Oliver Norton. From that day forward, this soulful tune would signify day’s end.
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