NEW YORK

 

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site contains "Springwood", the lifelong home of America's only 4-term President. Also on the site is the Presidential Library and Museum, operated by the National Archives. Visitors may enjoy a guided tour of FDR's home, take a self-guided tour of the Museum and stroll the grounds, gardens, and trails of this 300-acre site. Start your visit at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center and see the introductory film and arrange for self guided tours of the Presidential Library and Museum and Ranger-led tours of the historic home. We recommend you plan a minimum of two and one half days.

 

FDR’s Top Cottage retreat the place he built in 1938 to, "escape the mob" at Springwood. He also brought close friends and political allies here to discuss the state of the world or to simply relax. Designed by FDR to emulate the Dutch colonial architecture found throughout the Hudson River Valley, the structure was planned with accessibility in mind to accommodate his wheelchair and give him greater independence. Tours depart by shuttle from the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center. This is a two hour experience. This tour is not so much a tour to see the house as it is to learn and discuss the life of FDR. We were lucky as we had only four in our group. We sat on the patio while the tour guide shared FDR’s history.  This was one of my all time favorite tours.

The only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady, Val-Kill welcomes you as Mrs. Roosevelt welcomed her many guests. Visitors may tour Mrs. Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage and enjoy the lovely gardens and grounds on the site. Mrs. Roosevelt’s  home was the old furniture factory she started to help teach local farmers new skills. After FDR’s death she lived in this home until her death.

The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site was established as a monument to an era rather than a tribute to any one person or family. The estate illustrates a way of life modeled on the English country house and is only unusual today because so few examples survive in the 21st century. More than a place to discuss the lifestyles of the rich and famous, the park offers a window into the philosophy of the American country house, the lives of its domestic staff, and its relationship to the surrounding community. In addition to a tour of the house, you can stroll on the 211 acres of park land.  This is a two hour experience.

The Culinary Institute of America is only a few short miles away. We had to, yes had to have lunch there.  I was so excited as you can see I took a bite before I remembered to take a picture. We also had sandwiches. The Institute has five restaurants. If I lived near here I would have to eat here on a regular basis.

 

Fall in New York. We drove Hwy 119 back towards Connecticut. The leaves have turned, the drive was breathtaking.

CONNECTICUT

STONINGTON-A lovely drive into this small non-tourist town

The Lighthouse Museum in Stonington Ct

  

Home style’s in Stonington, Ct

MYSTIC-Jim resting along the waterfront

THE USS NAUTILUS SUBMARINE and Museum turned out to be a very interesting stop. We spent several hours reading and

watching a video in the museum before we took our self guided audio tour on the submarine. The Nautilus was the Worlds first

nuclear submarine. After nearly 18 months of construction, NAUTILUS was launched on January 21, 1954 with

First Lady Mamie Eisenhower breaking the traditional bottle of champagne across NAUTILUS' bow.

Eight months later, on September 30, 1954, NAUTILUS became the first commissioned nuclear powered ship in the United States Navy.

 

On July 23, 1958, NAUTILUS departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii under top secret orders to conduct "Operation Sunshine",

the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship. At 11:15 pm on August 3, 1958, NAUTILUS' second Commanding Officer,

Commander William R. Anderson, announced to his crew, "For the world, our country, and the Navy - the North Pole."

   With 116 men aboard, NAUTILUS had accomplished the "impossible", reaching the geographic North Pole - 90 degrees North.

 

HARTFORD-The Riverfront River Plaza held a Celtic Heritage Festival we enjoyed for a few

hours but it was 87 degrees with no shade so we didn’t stay through the afternoon. 

 

 

HARTFORD CAPITAL BUILDING

 

WATERBURY-Timexpo and the Easter Island Statue. We found a fun website of Offbeat Tourist Attractions

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/ct. It was very near us and we wanted an indoor activity.

We enjoyed it! 

WATERBURY-Well with a  Rachael Ray and Man vs Food banner flying over this little restaurant we had no choice

but to try it. Jim had a shrimp poor boy, very tasty while I couldn’t  resist a hot dog with the works! Yum Yum!!!

The colors have arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Massachusetts

Massachusetts here we come! 

We enjoy going to Presidential Libraries and only have a

few left on our list. We would rate this one right up there,

thoroughly enjoyed it. It has lots of video to counteract

all the reading one has to do.  

 

The next day Nancy & Bob took us to Boston. We went on the Samuel Adams Brewery tour then lunch at Mr. Dooley’s an Irish Pub

followed by a drive around town. Thanks Bob & Nancy

 

The next day we visited THE ADAM’S NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE- The John Adams and John Quincy Adams Birthplaces

are the oldest presidential birthplaces in the United States. In 1735, John Adams was born in the "salt box" house

located only 75 feet away from the birthplace of his son John Quincy Adams. In the John Quincy Adams Birthplace,

young John and his bride Abigail started their family and the future President launched his career in politics and law.

John Adams maintained his law office in the house and it was here that he, Samuel Adams and James Bowdoin wrote

the Massachusetts Constitution. This document, still in use today, greatly influenced development of the United States Constitution.

The Old House, or Peacefield to John Adams

This is the house Abigail Adams wanted upon her return from Europe after living in the splendor of mansions for

quite some time. Unfortunately they bought it sight unseen so it took many years to remodel.

The Old House, built in 1731, became the residence of the Adams family for four generations from 1788 to 1927.

It was home to Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams; First Ladies Abigail and Louisa Catherine Adams;

Civil War Minister to Great Britain Charles Francis Adams; and literary historians Henry and Brooks Adams.

Adjacent to the house is the Stone Library, built in 1873, it contains more than 14,000 books that belonged to

the Adamses.

 

                                                            Bunker Hill  Monument                              USS Constitution

BOSTON   Following the Freedom Trail 

              .                              

         

 

PLYMOUTH

 

The Plymouth Rock- go to the web site. You’ll see a much clearer picture of the date on the rock.

And the complete history! plymouth.com  The last photo is a replica of the Mayflower.

 

A short stop for a 13 mile bike ride on the canal between the main land and Cape Cod.

The weather was so perfect we couldn’t pass the opportunity. What a wonderful

trail.

  

CAPE COD- A visit with Nancy & Bob.

We had such a good time visiting our friends. They live in a great area. Beautiful, green, the most fantastic beaches!

They took us on a drive to the end of the Cap, up to Providence. The main street is a funky yet upscale shopping area so

narrow I was glad we weren’t in the dually truck. Had a great lunch at their favorite restaurant Bubala’s. Then over to

the National Seashore. What a wonderful day! Thanks again Nancy & Bob

Cape Cod National Seashore