First day of Earth Perfect conference, Delaware

 Everyone felt a little worn out  from the drive, but I had found out that the Brandywine River Valley offers an individual pass to 11 attractions in the area, 3 of which John and Rachel are getting to go to because of their conference.  So, I got excited about all the things that I will get to do in the area.

 I dropped John and Rachel, looking squeeky clean and ready to go at the conference and my first stop was Nemours to get a place on their tours.  Today was full, but I purchased my pass and made an appointment for the next morning knowing that a tropical storm is bearing down on us.

 Second stop, Hagley House which was part of the Du Pont family estates and site of one of their gunpowder manufacturing plants.  New exhibit on nylon to the right, which given how much yarn I own, I support this company completely on my own and should have been allowed in for free.

 This mansion had a beautiful view of the work yards, was still standing despite work yard explosions because it's made of Wilmington Blue Rock, and had the most awesome wallpaper in the dining room.  It was panels of scenic America that (according to my guide) Jackie O liked enough to put in the White House.

The saddest part of this site was the extensive Romantic Revival gardens are ruins and covered in vines.  It would take too much money to make them look good again and they are lost, but now look like something that is waiting to be dug up in some next age.  What this tour was comprised was my first introduction to the Du Pont empire and family that have shaped this area.  All from gunpowder and then keeping up with the changing times of course...