If you are going to Monticello after all this (phew, hard to keep up with the thread when I only have a short period of time to read here) then be sure to read up on Sally Hemings as she is such an interesting part of the Thomas Jefferson story. If you are coming in mid-October the leaves should have started to turn which will make the weekend nicer for you. Although it rains throughout the year in the DC area, October is historically our driest month. ENJOY!