Happy 260th birthday, Mr. President!

Celebrating my favorite university's name sake with some trivia for the second year in a row!

Which Founding Father was James Madison's distant relative? George Washington (First cousin, twice removed). Ironically, neither fathered any children.

James Madison's wife was the first private citizen to try out what new technology? Dolley was chosen by Samuel F. B. Morse to be the first private citizen to send a telegraph with his new telegraph machine.

What was the name of James Madison's horse? Liberty.

In addition to James Madison University, what other American University was named after James Madison? Colgate University. From 1846- 1890 Colgate University was named Madison University. A large endowment from the Colgate family prompted the change to the current university name.

Dolley Madison knew a thing or two about throwing parties (JMU has done well to follow in her footsteps). When James became President, she started hosting weekly parties, often attracting up to 400 people. What were these weekly parties called? "Wednesday drawing rooms" or "Mrs. Madison's crush or squeeze."

Additional Fact: Dolley Madison held the first inaugural ball.

James Madison is the shortest President at 5' 4"- how much did he weigh? 100 pounds.

After his presidency, Madison devoted much of his time to fighting the expansion of slavery. What was the name of the organization he created to end slavery in America? American Colonization Society.

Follow up question: Founded in 1819, what African country was founded by this organization? Liberia.

James Madison wrote a book, not a memoir like most other presidents. What was the name of the book? Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787. Madison refused to allow this to be published until after he and everyone else at the convention had died.

Madison was known for being soft-spoken as well as a wit. What were his dying words? "I always talk better lying down."

As always, Happy James Madison day! Go Dukes!

Road Trip Virginia in the Fall

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year and I can’t help but eat up the bold golds, reds and oranges that dot the landscape around DC. But even for this city gal, I need a break from the traffic downtown and around the beltway. One of my favorite ways to escape is grabbing my girlfriends and taking a road trip!

If you want to keep thing on the cheap, pack a picnic lunch and have each girl bring a dish. Spice up the occasion by having themed dishes or keep it classy with a baguette and some cheese. Preparing a mix is a must for any road trip. Designate someone to make a playlist that will have you rockin’ out on the highway. Remember: Because thought and time goes into creating the perfect mix, the DJ gets to sit shotgun.

Now that you have the basics nailed, it’s time to choose a destination. If you want Georgetown flair outside DC, I recommend visiting Middleburg, VA off I-66. This cute town has been around since 1787 and lies in the heart of Virginia’s hunt country. Known for great dining, boutiques, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and a love for anything equestrian, Middleburg is a great place to spend a day walking around.

For the nature lover, I recommend traveling further West on 1-66 to Skyline Drive. People travel from all over to see Virginia’s famed fall foliage. Drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains and stop at scenic overlooks. The sight is breathtaking.

Travel south on I-81 to reach the history lover’s destination (about three hours from DC). Lexington, VA is a picture-perfect civil war town full of antique shops and local historic areas of interest. Stop at the coffee shop in the main part of town and shuffle through the fallen leaves to the Virginia Military Institute. Here, you can take free tours and even see Stonewall Jackson’s preserved horse in the campus museum.

I’ve done all three trips before and they’re perfect for this time of year. Plus they only take a few hours so your entire weekend isn’t tied up. Check out http://www.virginia.org/ for more ideas. Safe travels!