Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic, Connecticut, is a wonderful seaport. It was the place to be when whaling was king. The Mystic River enters the ocean here. There were dozens of shipbuilders during the hay day of whaling. We enjoyed our 3 days here even though we never saw the sun and it poured several times. 

There were five of these poodles. One is in the stroller to the left.

Mystic Pizza an actual place. Amy Jones wrote her coming-of-age story after a visit here.
The walls are adorned with photos of movie stars and other notables who have dined here

The Mystic River runs through the center of town and this draw bridge divides the business district into two sides.

This pigeon held on to the counterweight for dear life as the section if raised.
Actually eventually he just flew away.

The Mystic Seaport is a park-like museum with dozens of original buildings and displays.
This is a view of the Seaport and the Charles W. Morgan, whaleship, which is being restored.

This shows how the sides of the whaling ships were constructed. The planks were stacked along the ribs. Between these planks they stuffed cotton and pitch to make them waterproof.

Oysters and clams were also a large part of the economy.

Mystic Seaport

Buildings, like this grocery store, were stocked with authentic looking supplies.

Mystic Seaport Cahpel

This gallery in the Mystic Seaport had dozens of original mastheads.

I never realized how much detail these mastheads would have.

There are always a few thespians around to entertain.

The printshop had original movable type

Inside Mystic Pizza

The already heavy traffic gets blocked up for blocks when the drawbridge is drawn.

The Mystic Aquarium was a real treat. Somewhat like Seaworld, without the rides.

They have about five beluga whales

Hello!

Hello!

These penguins are hand-fed Twice a day. Each penguin has some beads on one of its' wings to easily identify it.
As each bird is fed, the attendants calls out, "Purple, blue, purple." or whatever colors are on that bird and another attendent marks down what it was fed.

There is a Titanic exhibit at Mystic Seaport.
One of our grandsons is a Titanic expert at six and looks a lot like this boy.

Next stop: Newport, Rhode Island.

Ciao, Frank.

The Hudson Valley

It tough going. I know it. Since leaving home we have been to Damascus, Va, Annapolis, Md, Philadelphia, Pa, State College, Pa, Ann Arbor, MI, Holland, MI, Macinaw Island, MI, The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Door County, WI, South Bend, IN, Jackson Center, OH. We went home for 4 days for some family affairs and since then we have been to Hilton Head Island for a week, Myrtle Beach, SC, Cape May, NJ and now we have visited the Hudson Valley, NY. It's tough work but someone has to do it!

The Hudson Valley stretches from the northern part of NYC to about 120 miles north. It is noted for the beautiful small towns, vineyards, resorts, art meccas, and many other things that make it a destination for many vacationers. We stayed in Platteville, near Newburgh, in a very nice KOA campground. The weather forecast called for rain every day but we mostly had sunshine until the evenings when we had downpours and thunderstorms.

The village of Nyack, NY is just a stones throw from upper NYC. It sit right on the west bank of the Hudson River and serves as a bedroom town for Manhattan. Along the river are numerous stone mansions with expansive views. Wouldn't you know, I forgot my camera and got only a few shots with my iPhone.

Debbiw and I had lunch at a burrito place on the main drag

There were numerous sidewalk cafes

I caught this licence plate and snapped it for a friend who is a specialist in infectious diseases

We vistied The United States Military Academy at West Point New York. There is not really a town of West Point. You can drive into the Academy and drive around but there is no parking inside the gates. So most visitors go to the Visitor's Center and take a tour.

The grounds are immaculate and plush green.

The Chapel. Our guide in in the foreground

No one ever sits in this pew which is in memory of our fallen military.

The Parade Gorunds.

A monolithic memorial for West Point graduates who have perished in war.

This photo, looking out to the Hudson, shows why this spot was chosen for a fort, and later for the military academy.
The Hudson River makes a sharp S-shaped curve here. Enemy ships would have to slow down
so much to navigte that they would be easy targets for our large guns.
We also place a huge chain across the Hudson up river to further impede the British

Captured enemy canons are on display throughout the Academy

The Walkway Over the Hudson is a bridge for pedestrians, bicycles, 

and as we will see, nuns on roller blades

From the Walkway we can see the Mid Hudson Bridge which connects Poughkeepsie and Highland, NY

About 25 Rolling Nuns came across the bridge.

No comment.

Hyde Park is just a few miles north of Poughkeepsie on the east bank of the Hudson. It was the boyhood, and really, lifetime, home of Franklin D Roosevelt. The home and the FRD Presidential Library are maintained by the National Park Service and the Federal Archives.

These silhouettes of a man and woman were cut from a section of the Berlin Wall.
The barbed wire can be seen. The statues represent Freedom.

FDR Home

The stables

The Music Room. All of the furnishings and decorations are the same as when FDR lived here.

FDR was boen in this bed

Sara Delano Roosevelt

About 15 miles north of Hyde Park is the lovely town of Rhinebeck, NY. Wonderful shops and restaurants.

The Hudson Valley is a great example of how beautiful America is. From north to south, east and west we have found magnificent natural wonders, small towns, terrific cities everywhere. I would immagine the fall would be sumptuous. We may stop here on our was back home.

Next visit is to Mystic, CT. Until then....

Ciao,  Frank