On our way home from a trip to Williamsburg, we decided to make an unplanned stop at Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia. We only had a few hours, but we wanted to see what we could see. We hoped to get to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, that evening. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-do if you’re in the area. In 1768, Thomas Jefferson took the first steps in creating the home on top of the mountain near his father’s plantation that he would name Monticello. His home is now a glimpse into the man himself. My number one tip for a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in the summer–get online as soon as you know you’re going and get tickets for the time you want! The first tour of the following day was sold out on the evening before. We almost didn’t get a time that would…