Monday, June 13 part B (for bridge!)

Such exciting places we have been visiting and more to come! Someone told me before we left that I would love and hate it at the same time - love the sights we visit, hate we can't stay longer at most places. I agree, however, if it wasn't such a race, we would not get to see so much either. So, my tennis shoes have gotten a real work out, as  have my legs from climbing about ....oh maybe .... 3,000 stairs! They are everywhere and not just a few at a time but 67, 75, 52 at a time. Yes, I count them but what makes it worse is when they tell you, "only 75 steps to the top!".  So my muscles appreciate the bus ride between stops.

Our trip has been relatively smooth so far, but every good thing must come to an end it appears! As we were traveling along, I was actually trying to download pictures to the laptop so I could blog when I had an opportunity. I happen to suddenly hear it get quiet on the bus and glanced out the window, as I did I noticed out the window an Asian lady (and this now comes to me in slow motion!) as she slowly opens her mouth in what I thought was awe, but turned out to be in shock, as her hand came up ever so slowly to cover her mouth as if she was thinking "OH NO!".  On the corner was an eatery of some kind with outside tables, and of course with the weather being so beautiful there were lots of people sitting at outside tables. I tell you this because as soon as I notice the lady, I also see people grabbing cameras, phones, and video cams and aiming them in our direction! I turned to my seat mate, Donna, and said, "What is going on?" She points up and I see this:

Underside of bridge the bus hits in Charlottesville, VA

Yes, that is the underside of a bridge and it is close, very close to the top of the bus! As we are all holding our breath, we suddenly hear, "SCCRRRREEEEEEEECH!".  I still can't help but chuckle each time I recall this happening, because the looks on people's faces was priceless!! Of course, my seat mate immediately states, "What if we are stuck?" That brought a whole new look of concern and saucer eyes to everyone's face in hearing distance!  Lucky for us there was a police officer, or two, or better yet, three sitting at the light across from us. They stopped traffic and directed as we successfully backed out from under the 10 ft. clearance bridge in our bus that requires an 11 ft. 6 in. clearance! Oh, yes, that is correct . . . we missed the clearance by 18 inches. However, the clearance on the side of the bridge we entered was tall enough for us, unfortunately I don't think the driver realized that as the road began to make an incline it took away the extra clearance needed. At this point people are still videoing, and some clapping (most likely for the officers!) as we finally clear all metal of the bridge!  The police officers were very nice and gave us a personal escort to the University of Virginia, blocking traffic for us to get through as we went (we felt so important at this point). Unfortunately, they weren't with us on the way back . . . you will have to read about that at the end of this post!

Police escort! at least it was to the University and not the Police Station!

We have now 'safely' arrived at the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson.  "The college would be a physical expression of his core ideals" according to the pamphlet of The Academical Village.  Jefferson not only oversaw the planning, the building, and ideals the university would stand for, but he also wrote the curriculum, hired the staff, devised the standards for admission and rules for student behavior, and also wrote statements of purpose that have endured to this day.

Photo compliments of Yolanda Mahon

The university's library would be the at the head of the Academical Village, as an anchor. The library's rotunda was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, only half the size. He called this circular building, "a temple of knowledge".

Inside of Rotunda; photo compliments of Yolanda Mahon

 

 

 

The rotunda was head of a grass covered lawn that was flanked by ten pavilions, five on each side. The actual pavilions were built with living quarters on the second floor and classrooms on the first. The professor lived above his classroom, and students lived in small rooms on the sides of the pavilions. Colonnades, or covered walkways joined the pavilions and living quarters. Jefferson called these walkways a means of "dry communication".

One very unique piece of information that I must share is a Code of Honor that still exists on campus today. Students "make a commitment not to lie, cheat, or steal within Charlottesville, Albemarle County, or where they represent themselves as University students in order to gain the trust of others."  Anyone reported as not upholding this Code of Honor is reported, and the offense is presented to the Honor Committee. All of this is student led, they serve as advisors, offer counsel, investigate, assist and support students through the process.  The jury panel is made up entirely of students. Students applying that are not willing to abide by this honor system are discouraged from applying!

Back to the bus! While we were touring, some assessment was done to the actual damage of the bus. Thanks to Mr. Cavazos and his camera on a tripod stand they could get some video of it! It was mainly one of the air conditioners on top that was damaged. Thank goodness it did not seem to have an effect on the air conditioner blowing inside the bus.

To make things even funnier, as we leave the campus and round a corner what do you think we see? Yes, that is right! The same bridge again only from the other side! Of course, I wish I had a video on at that moment, because the audible gasp that came from everyone when they realized what lay ahead was extremely humorous!! I will hand it to Roscoe, with some help from some of the "men" on the bus stopping traffic, he was was able to turn that bus around in the street!!

View of bridge from other side! Yes, we meet again - only not physically this time!