East to West 2010

 

CLEVELAND-A day and I do mean a DAY at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It takes at least six hours to see everything.

But it was worth it. We had a fantastic time.http://rockhall.com/

They do not allow camera phones or cameras inside so this is the only picture to post.

 

The Cleveland Skyline. A side view of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

  www.rbhayes.org/hayes/hayeshouse/

This is the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and his home in Freemont Ohio.

We like to visit all the Presidential Libraries, this isn’t even on the official list but reading our brochures we

discovered we were driving right by so we stopped. Unfortunately it was not open when we arrived, so just

walked around the lovely grounds and peeked into the homes windows. Oh well next time.

   

Birthplace of Herbert Hoover  http://http://www.nps.gov/heho/index.htm          West Branch, Iowa

The future president was born in a small, two-room cottage in 1874. Today the Birthplace Cottage, along with other historic buildings

associated with his early childhood in West Branch, is the centerpiece of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

We enjoyed an afternoon exploring the historic buildings, his birth home, his father’s blacksmith shop, their Quaker meeting House, &

the one room schoolhouse. We then spend the rest of the day (last one’s out)in the Library. I really didn’t know much about our   

31st President so found his history to be very interesting. He really had a fascinating life. Orphaned at nine, sent on a train alone

to his Uncle’s in Oregon would daunt anyone. But he went on to have an excellent education graduating with a degree

in Engineering traveling the world and amassing  a fortune. He was a great Humanitarian he made a name for himself during the

ttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/presidents/herbert-hoover-1417418.html

First World War for his efficient humanitarian work evacuating US refugees and distributing food relief in Europe.

Click on the link for further info. if interested.

We have now visited all the Presidential  Libraries.

IOWA- We didn’t get very far down the road when we came to the Amana Colonies a National Historic Landmark and

one of Americas longest lived communal societies. Seeking religious freedom the community of True Inspiration left Germany in 1843.

First settling in New York then moving in 1855 to Iowa developing six villages a mile or two apart across 26,000 acres. Property and

resources were shared by all . In the 1930’s this way of life changed.

Today the main street features some gift, wine & cheese, & a few specialty art stores. Of course restaurants for the many

people from the tour buses. The villages are still separated by farmland and many of the old homes are still there.

 

We found this fantastic COE park on the Saylorville lake just outside Des Moines. It was such a beautiful day

we wanted to enjoy a bike ride. By the time we got ready to ride a thunder shower was threatening but it was

warm so we went anyway.  We didn’t get too wet. Came back put the awning up sat outside and watched the

storm roll by.

 

         close up of the straw                                                The Corn Palace today

The Corn Palace, Mitchell South Dakota

       First Corn Palace 1892

 

It started as a way to showcase the crops grown in the area and to attract immigrant farmers to settle here.

Along with the Corn Palace, a festival was planned, renowned entertainers were brought to Mitchell and area crops

were exhibited to celebrate the fertility of the land. Over 100 year later the tradition continues.

This is folk art at its best.

The Badlands of South Dakota. We couldn’t pass this by. It’s a 31 mile loop road off I-90 with many overlooks and signs explaining the landscape.

Many hikes of course which we did a few of the shorter ones. The unusual rock formations keep you snapping picture after picture.

Wyoming-The Devils Tower National Monument another fantastic site not far off I-90. It’s a magnificent mass of spiral

  shaped rocks extending 1600 feet above the river. We walked the mile trail around the base.

 

It’s not all rocks and mountains we had to see the old Mint Bar in Sheridan WY. Two

cold beers hit the spot. What wonderful burled wood.

Hard to see in the photo but the walls are lined with mounted trophy animals.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Kancamagus Scenic Byway

State: New Hampshire
National Forest: White Mountain National Forest

The Kancamagus Scenic Byway passes through the heart of the White Mountains while traversing the flank of Mt. Kancamagus,

filled with scenic areas and overlooks. Visit the Russell Colbath Historic Site, which offers colonial history.  

http://www.winter-insurance.at/Privat/Novaskotia/Russel%20Colbath%20House.html

The Russell Colbath House has an interesting history. Click above to read the history. He epitomizes the “the man who

stepped out to get cigarettes”

 

   

   The last photo is Mt. Washington, the tallest mountain in the White Mountain Range.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m). It is famous for its dangerously erratic weather, and long held the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, 231 mph

Have to admit it’s pretty to look at but we did not take the road up. Maybe it was the $25.00 road fee.

More VERMONT

   

  Larry making his famous blueberry pancakes on the same outdoor grill his father flipped pancakes on. What a great tradition. Thank you so

very much Larry they were so delicious! And of course these were topped with pure Maple Syrup from Vermont!

 

Speaking of syrup Larry & Joyce also took us to Greens Sugarhouse. We not only tasted the samples, watched sugar candy

being made, but got an in depth lesson on the process of syrup from the tapping of the trees to the boiling process. We

have a whole new appreciation as to the reason for the high price. It is a lot of work. It take four maple trees to make one gallon!

 

           Jim & Joyce climbing                                  see Joyce & Jim waving                                                                    Larry

 

More fun with Joyce and Larry. This property of 450 acres belongs to Kit Davidson  a friend of theirs. Kit and his wife Mickie originally from New

York bought this land 40 years ago. Kit then began building hiking trails and this beautiful little Japanese pond with waterfall. He later invited the public

to come   enjoy his wonderful surroundings. He has a parking lot and provides maps. 

Kit Davidson a man with a kind spirit.

 

Joyce & Larry at their Vermont cabin. Their place is like a little piece of paradise.

Thank you both for an unforgettable visit.

PEACHAM-A beautiful little side trip down a lovely country road.

Along Hwy 232 in Vermont is gorgeous, most of  it runs through Forest Service land.

We stopped for a tour of Vermont’s Capital building in Montpelier. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/centralvermont/cv20.htm

Leaving Vermont via toll ferry from Chimney Point. Vermont is such a beautiful state it’s hard to leave it.

VERMONT

Not to be out done by NY, this is Vermont on Sept. 29. We opened our book” 1,0000 Places to see Before you Die” and Hwy 100 in

Vermont was a must see. So we headed East from Bennington along Hwy 9 then North on Hwy 100 before heading back West to the

Hortonia area to visit friends.

   

Sights along the way.

 

 

Unique in American history, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President by his father, here in his boyhood home on August 3, 1923.

It was in the family homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, that a vacationing Vice President Calvin Coolidge received an urgent message from Washington.

 

Moments later, by the light of a kerosene lamp, Coolidge took the oath of office from his father, the local notary public, following the untimely death of President Warren Harding.

The homestead remains exactly as it was the night Coolidge took office. In fact, much of the village of Plymouth Notch is unchanged since the early 20th century. The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is considered one of the best preserved Presidential sites in the nation

 

 

 

   Joyce,Jim,Diane,Larry                                 Bill & Carol 

We were lucky to arrive in the nick of time at our friends Larry and Joyce’s home as Larry’s cousin Bill and wife Carol were taking us on a wine & cheese cruise on the lake. It was a beautiful evening. It was a great time we can’t thank them enough.

                                                                                              Joyce, Larry, Diane & Jim

 

Joyce and Larry took us for a fantastic day trip. First stop the Falls.

Not to be outdone by stores this Maple Syrup seller set up by the Moss Glenn Falls.

Then on to Ben & Jerry’s. We took the tour, learned the history of two very lucky young men, and ate the new

sample of the day “Milk & Cookies”. Oh yeah it was goooooood. 

Did you know there is the FLAVOR GRAVEYARD? Yes these are the flavors that don’t make it.

We stopped at the Cider Mill,watched apples being pressed. We ate our way along our drive, sampling at the Cheese Factory, The Chocolate store, & The Cider Mill.

We were too busy eating to remember to take pictures of all the yummy & generous samples. 

 

  

The Trapp Lodge in Stowe is such a beautiful setting you just want to start singing! Then on through Stowe, a great ski destination.

Pass Stowe there is a wonderfully scenic short drive along a very narrow road full of huge boulders. Called Smugglers’ Notch.

It was spectacular! 

More wonderful things to see along our drive back at the end of the day.