Concord, FDR and Albany, 4/25 -26/2014

On the road again Friday April 24


We traveled the Minuteman trail ending in Concord. We learned about the unrest in the colonies, the truth about Paul Revere's ride and even his capture and the "shot heard around the world.". The beginning of the Revolutionary War.


I took a tour of Orchard House.


The home where Louisa May Alcott lived with her parents and her three sisters. In my tour group were four 10 year olds with their Moms.


I finally confessed I need to go back and read Little Women again.


Louisa's Dad made a desk for her. This was unheard of in that era (1860's). WOMEN did not write.


But her parents encouraged Louisa and her sisters to pursue their passions. None sister was musically inclined. Another an actress and the other an artist.

We stayed at Pilot Truck Stop at Sturbridge, MA. Really nice.

On the road again Saturday April 26


Hyde Park, NY - the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The house was interesting to tour. He built and used his Presidential Library while he was President. Churchill and he met in his Library to sign the agreement to research the atomic bomb. The Library was incredible. We arrived at 10 am and didn't walk out the doors till after 3:30. He is heralded as the best President by many.


We also learned a lot about Eleanor, her time as while FDR was alive and the 17 years she was influential after his death.

We stayed at Pilot near Castle, NY.

Albany & Hyde Park, NY & Valley Forge, PA.

On the road again Sunday April 27


Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, NY.


We talked with an usher before Mass to learn the history of church. It was established in 1850's. It is the second-oldest cathedral in the state, after St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. It is also the third oldest Catholic cathedral in the United States, and the first American Catholic cathedral in the Neo-Gothic architectural style.


We read in literature that tours were given of the State Capitol but they are no longer given on weekends. So we went to the New York State Museum. The state is huge and so is the Museum. We were there 3 1/2 hours. The exhibits are cultural and natural history of New York State, a full-sized Iroquois longhouse, working carousel, a Mastodon, Adirondack Wilderness, Ancient Life of New York, Birds of New York, Albany Archeology, Harlem in the 20s, Fire Engine Hall, Contemporary Native American Crafts, Minerals of New York, The World Trade Center: Rescue Recovery Response.


We watched a video of a fireman telling of his experience going up Tower #2 on 9-11. Four in his battalion went on ahead while he and others caught his breath. The firemen were carrying 100 pounds packs and had been going up the steps for more than an hour. They got word Tower #1 went down. After some time they got the word to evacuate. His experience was so chilling.

We stayed overnight at Brook N Wood Campground, Elizaville, NY. We met a couple from California but the guy was originally from Elgin....about 8 miles from where we live. They joined us around our campfire.  We enjoyed getting to know them.

On the roads again Monday April 28


To the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. We took a tour of the facility. Photos were not allowed. I took these off the Internet. The campus is huge. Students earn Associate and Bachelor degrees. Repeatedly we heard this school is the Harvard of culinary schools.











The school is a former Jesuit seminary. The former chapel is the students' dining room. It was a very impressive tour.


We had lunch in the Apple Pie Cafe. I had scallops with asparagus purée, foamed oranges juice, morel mushrooms and truffle butter. It was De-lious!!!


Phil had macaroni and cheese (special cheeses) and Spicy Asian soup. Also very tasty.

Next we toured Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt's cottage. Interesting to see the home but what I like most to to learn more about her. She was a remarkable woman with many passions and was very active for 17 years after FDR died.  She made a big difference in the world.

We arrived at the Vanderbilt National Historic Site in time for a tour. The mansion was European decorated as the wealthy did in the early 1900's. They were emulating the royalty of Europe.

We stayed at Flying J, Newburgh, NY. Unlike the royalty and wealthy...but we are very content with what we have. And good to sleep in our home on wheels!

On the road again Tuesday April 29 to Valley Forge, PA. We learned about the militia wintering here. The men built log cabins to live in. Prussian Baron Von Steuben trained the men into an Army. The Washington Memorial Chapel is so impressive. It is an active congregation. All the furnishing within the Chapel have special significance.

We stayed at Village Scene Mobile Park, Hatfield, PA.

Location:4/27 - 29/2014

Traveling to Boston & the Marathon, 4/17-4/24/2014

On the road again Thursday April 17.  It was a travel day....444 miles to Ashtabula, OH.  We stayed overnight at the Flying J Truck Stop.  

On the road again Friday April 18 

George Eastman's Mansion and Museum, Rochester, NY.  He lived 1852 - 1932.  He built this house in 1905.  Outstanding docent gave a great history of Eastman and tour of the home.

We  also visited Susan B. Anthony's home in Rochester.  Very interesting learning about Miss Anthony.  Photos not allowed inside the house.

We stayed at a Flying J in Syracuse, NY.  We stayed here in August 2012 on our return trip from the Atlantic Provinces.

On the road again Saturday April 19.  Happy birthday to Jason our grandson.  Best wishes for many more.

We visited the Shrine on North American Martyrs.

We arrived At Miramar Retreat Center 5 pm.  We joined our friend and host Father Tom Griffith for dinner.  Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30.  At the social after Mass we met a couple whose son ran the marathon last year.  They gave us tips where to be.

On the road Easter Sunday April 20 by bus to BOSTON.

We took a walking tour of the Freedom Trail.  Met Ted and Allison at 3 pm for lunch at Beantown Pub. 

On the road Monday April 21 by bus to Boston for THE Marathon.  We found a place and waited.

We were so thrilled to see Ted as he passed by.  With 36,000 runners didn't know if we'd see him. And he saw us.  He finished in 3 hours and 8 minutes.  What a fantastic accomplishment.  (he's on the N.)

We are so proud of him.

Back at Duxbury, we took Tom to dinner at Alden Place.  Great food and great place for visiting.

On the road again Tuesday April 22 to John F. Kennedy Library.  Very interesting. 

On the road again Wednesday April 23 to Halifax, MA not Nova Scotia to participate in Mass with Father Tom.  We went to lunch at Isaac's.  Drove to Braintree & took the subway to Boston.  Met Ted and Allison at Cheers.  After eating took the subway to FENWAY Park.  Ted has wanted to go to Fenway for 30+ years he says.  We enjoyed the game.  But it was COLD.  Maybe the temp was 50 but the wind was strong!!!! Great to see A. J. Pierzinski a former White Sox player on the Red Sox team and Matt Thornton a former White Sox player on the Yankees.  Also to experience the animosity between the Red Sox and Yankees.  Our trip by subway back made us more familiar and comfortable using public transportation.  We got back to Duxbury about 11 pm.

On the road again Thursday April 24

 Saying goodbye to our dear friend, Tom.

At the Adams National Historic Site, Quincy we watched an excellent film about the Adams family.  Because we were meeting Phil's cousin we didn't have time to tour of the Adams homes.  (Next year when we come to Boston.)

We toured the United First Parish in Quincy, MA. is known as the President's church because John Adams and John Quincy Adams were members.  They and their wives are buried there.

We greatly enjoyed our visited with Bridgette, Marjorie and Artimisia.

We stayed overnight in their home in Cambridge.