Month: April 2017

Thanks to Teri&Audrey for a great night’s 😴 sleep at their apartment. It really didn’t feel like I was in NYC, more like an oasis. Coffee and goodbyes as I headed out to Tenement Museum, not far from Teri’s. Blessings of people in our lives through the years are awesome! We are all connected, even when we don’t have a day-to-day connection! The Tenement Museum at 102 Orchard Street had street parking so I could use my old parking card with $35 left on it! I just browsed the museum and video, but didn’t take the tour. What a life it must have been, back in the day living in the Tenement forming your own community within the larger community. Then off to Teede’s, Teddy Roosevelt’s Birthplace at 28 East 20th St where the parking angels opened up a great spot on Broadway-thank you, angels! Teede was a gutsy, inquisitive child bothered by asthma. The video at the Visitors center was exceptionally well done, giving me a glimpse into who Teede was as a child-very interested in wildlife catching and studying mice, birds, turtles, etc.; obtaining spectacles that opened up a new view of the world; being bullied lighting a fire in him to develop his body which culminated in his winning a tournament in fighting; and a family life that inspired and encouraged him to be all he could be. Then I got some Chinese food from WoHop in Chinatown to take back to Vicki&Fritz in Montgomery, where I have been enjoying being their house guest.  Another beautiful day for me to be grateful about, as are all my days at this part of my life. Tomorrow is Easter! Celebrate the freedom that Easter represents and the joy of living! Happy Easter 🐣✝️

From Montgomery NY into NYC on a pleasant day. Spent the day visiting parks, then met up with high school friend, Teri Gauquie, and had a delicious meal and dessert; spending the night at Audrey’s and Teri’s apartment sharing life events. Thank you, Teri, for your generosity and being you! Hard to believe the OCCC adventures were 49 years ago! 

Before meeting up with Teri, I went to Grant’s Tomb and also obtained the passport stamp for Stonewall which doesn’t have a Visitor Center now; stonewall represents the LGBT community’s early stand for equal treatment under the law. Then to African Burial Grounds where human bones were found and later reinterned at the site which originally was 6.6 acres. The history goes back to the 1500s. Then to Federal Hall where George Washington took oath of office for President and a huge statue of him is displayed outside. Federal Hall also had early governmental bank vaults. Walking about I saw other notable buildings, New York Stock Exchange, JPMorgan, etc. Finding Parking is definitely a challenge in NYC, as I ended up driving around quite a bit to unsuccessfully obtain Castle Clinton’s passport stamp. I gave up and called Teri to meet up while waiting by one of my favorite places-South Street Seaport. 

Grant’s Tomb

African Burial Grounds

Federal Hall

What an amazing history this land has!

Today is a beach day! Off to Sandy Hook for Lighthouse tour of the oldest continually-operated lighthouse in the USA dating back to 1764. So it was actually funded by Great Britain, since it was in charge during that time. Businessmen had requested it since so many ships were destroyed trying to navigate around Sandy Hook to make their way to NewYork Harbor. During the American Revolutionary War the Americans shot at the lighthouse with cannons, but no damage was sustained by the lighthouse and no loss of life occurred. The 3-foot deep walls of the lighthouse are quite strong! The lighthouse is actually operated by the Coast Guard. The walk up the circular stairs to view the Bresnel lens was shorter than most lighthouses, but vertical climbs are always a challenge for me, especially the first step of the descent! The 2:30 tour of the lighthouse was preceded by viewing the Fort and surrounding areas and a trail walk to an elevated viewing area where we saw NYC from a different perspective. To one beach before lighthouse tour and a different one on the Atlantic after the tour. Playing in the sand was entertaining and nourishing to my soul with the warmth of the sun, the sound and smell of the water, and the feel of the sand. There are wonderful and plentiful bike paths and a campsite, too. I understand why people enjoy visiting Sandy Hook! On the way home, stopped at the highest point in Atlantic highlands which has a  9/11 memorial and, of course, goodies from DQ-yummy! 

Not a NAtl Park, but what an experience! Hard to believe almost 15 yrs has passed. Also the 1993 bombing in WTC is addressed. The memorial grounds with fountains and names is peaceful now-God comfort those still suffering from loss and ailments. The museum captured every aspect, even though an online video questioned what really occurred not being what was in media which millions across the world viewed with their own eyes. When will all humankind accept that we are all connected and live in peace one with another and with Mother Earth? Soon, I hope. The observatory provided 360 degree views that are amazing of human creations amidst that of Mother Earth. Fritz rented a tablet with Google Earth display showing names of important landmarks. An amazing experience! And, getting parking reserved online ahead of time made it soooo much easier. Then to Dominick’s, Arthur Ave, Bronx, for a delicious dinner-thank you Vicki! 

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Vicki, Fritz and I taking Ferry from Liberty Park in NJ to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Now people must get reservations to go up to Pedestal and Crown at Statue of Liberty. Reservations for going to Crown were starting in August! We had reservations to get into the Pedestal-how amazing it is back in 1886 and now preserved and cared for. Museum had reproduction of face and foot in copper as original was done. Money raised for pedestal by US was difficult but got accomplished. France provided the Statue but US responsible for pedestal. What a feat! Eiffel assisted with the design of physical support for the Statue. Ellis Island processed 12 million immigrants! Huge! Hadn’t realized the medical and mental checking that occurred by staff. What courage and faith it must have taken to get on a ship, travel by boat for 10-30 days to get to a place you had heard about that had no beds for 3rd class and questionable sanitary conditions aboard ship. The biggest medical facility in the country, at the time, was at Ellis Island and can only now be toured by special “Hard Hat” tour. The fog lifted as the day went on to provide wonderful views of NY and NJ skyline. We didn’t check the database, as none of our ancestors came through Ellis Island between 1880s-1920s, but many in our Ranger-led tour had ancestors who came through Ellis Island. Views of Statue and NY skyline from Ellis Island intrigued me, knowing that our country was built by immigrants who value the freedom the Statue of Liberty represents. Stopped at Olive Garden for dinner on the way back, with full bellies and a contented spirit-which I hope all reading this have!​

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Vicki, Linda and I to Thomas Cole site which I erred because it really isn’t open until May. We got to walk the grounds and chat with Ranger and workers. The views which artist Thomas Cole painted were viewable from his home, even though it was foggy. Then to Saratoga where the Rangers were especially friendly and knowledgeable. Uniforms of Revolutionary available to try on. French help to our new nation made such a difference! It’s amazing our country made it through those difficult times-for which I am grateful. Looked up ancestors on database to find many who participated at Saratoga. The Battlefield tour route was closed bEcause of icy road conditions. Drove by Racetrack and stopped for a bite to eat in Saratoga-good time! Then to Psychic Experiences group meeting at Unitarian Church in Rock Tavern. Be inspired by whatever it is that inspires you!

Headed up to Hyde Park early Sunday morning with friend Bill to enjoy the day at Natl Park Svc units in Hyde Park. First to Vanderbilt Mansion with limited access due to construction; nonetheless impressive. I could easily have been content to live in the carriage house which is now the visitors ctr. Mounted heads of elks, bison, and sheep are impressive. Ranger-led tour was very well done, with fun and pertinent facts. For example, the last couple to live there had no children and when the wife died, the husband cut the staff count in half, to 30, promising each of them $1,000 on his death. At that time, $1,000 would be sufficient to purchase a house!  Extravagant dwelling, but not to the extent found in Newport, RI. On departure, we stopped for a lovely view of the Catskills and at a local diner for coffee and a snack-I opted for Mississippi Mud Pie -delicious! Then to FDR’s home for video, tour and museum. The Ranger leading our tour is writing a book on the Roosevelts, so she shared some interesting, little known facts on the family. Could it really be their fortune started  with opium trade? FDR is buried on site as are pets. He had quite a collection of model ships, an old Ford, and more archived storage than I’ve seen in one place before. There were many ribbons displayed in stable, so they must have been horse people. There were flowers in the greenhouse, too. Quite a sadness through the country when he died. I only got to see a little bit of Eleanor’s Valkill which was peaceful and lovely. Then out to dinner. A lovely day- thanks Bill!

Spring is on its way to the Hudson Valley-enjoy!

A pleasure to visit with Friends, Olga, Kate, Bill, Cindy, JoAnn, while staying with and enjoying Vicki & Fritz with their 4-legged friends! Amazing views from their back deck-like a National Park unto itself! Of course, Vicki & I also enjoyed bagels before visiting St Paul’s Church NHS and Hamilton Grange by NYC, too! St Paul’s reminded us of the times before the American Revolution, and beyond-with a church bell made by those who made the Liberty Bell, an older pipe organ under repair, and sandstone grave markers as legible as new, even though they were in the early 1700s! Rangers knowledgeable and pleasant, too-thanks to them. The video of Hamilton Grange structure being moved twice in NYC was fascinating-what a feat-up and over a church then a block and a half on NYC streets to its new location in St Nicholas Park! stopped at Rockefeller Lookout off Palisades Parkway, too! Let’s all keep exploring!