May 5, 2014
WEATHER: Start in the high 40’s, got to the 60’s sunny,
then clouds
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| Timberlane Campground - trailer |
TRAVEL: Wyndham Hotel,
Gettysburg to Timberlane Campground,
Clarksboro, New Jersey: miles 2 hours, 20 minutes. Set up in about 45 minutes.
TIMBERLANE: pull through site, good WIFI, full hookup,
clean restrooms
Dinner
at Hollywood
Café and Sports Bar about 9 miles from here.
May 6, 2014
19 HOPEWELL FURNACE National Historic Site – Elverson, PA
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| Hopewell Furnace |
Located in Elverson, PA , west of Philadelphia, about 50 miles from where I’m staying, this is one of the finest examples of a 19th century plantation. HOPEWELL FURNACE provides a look into Pennsylvania life during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
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| Hopewell Furnace - Visitor Center Closed Monday & Tuesday |
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| Hopewell Furnace - picture of the complex |
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| Hopewell Furnace - How A Cold Blast Furnace Works |
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| Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Field Hank Aaron hit the only 'inside the park' homerun |
PHILADELPHIA
PHILLIES vs. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
- I stopped by the stadium to buy a ticket for tomorrow - - - but they are not in town tomorrow, so I
bought a ticket for tonight. I’ve got to
learn how to read schedules. CITIZENS
BANK PARK is about 30 minutes from where I’m staying. I got a seat in Sec 114
Row 13 Seat 1 – 1st base side about 30 feet past 1st
base - still in the infield – a great
seat.
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| Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Field |
DUMB PLAY: on an infield hit to the pitcher - saw the Phillies get a guy caught between 2nd and 3rd – and at the same time the guy who hit the ball is somewhere lolly gagging between 1st and 2nd and he’s tagged out. LATER - ANOTHER DUMB PLAY – on an infield play, this is the first time I saw the catcher closer to 2nd base than either the 2nd Baseman or Shorstop – if either had been near the bag the Blue Jay would have been out.
BUT EXCITING – in the 6th inning with the BLUE JAYS pitcher getting tired he
loads the bases and the number 8 guy in the Phillies lineup hits a grand slam
to tie the game.
After 10 innings the BLUE
JAYS win 6-5.
May 7, 2014
WEATHER: woke up to 54 in the
trailer still in the 40’s outside - sunny
TRAVEL: I was downtown Philadelphia yesterday . . .
. there is underground parking under the
mall/park just down from Independence Hall – I was concerned about the min
clearance of 6’ 6” - I think the truck
is about 6’ 3” at any rate it made it in the parking structure. I did a lot of walking - - -
miles and miles. It got cloudy
around noon and drizzle by 5:30. It cost
me $17 to park for 9 hours. OK to walk
every – during the day – I even mentioned to a group of 4 officers in Washington
Square that “only in America” – “have I seen more guns on the street than in
China” - - -- -of course one young guy
with a full load of tattoos on his arms had a lot of comebacks – they didn’t
get the point – there are no guns on the streets in China – “only in America”
since Gen Dan Sickles got away with murder by pleading temporary insanity for killing his wife's lover, Phillip
Barton Key II, son of Francis Scott Key.
20 EDGAR ALLEN POE National Historic
Site – Philadelphia, PA
Site – Philadelphia, PA
Poe’s six years in Philadelphia were the most productive. Not only did he edit and provide critical reviews for magazines, he also penned such classics as the “Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” This was about a mile north of Independence Hall. Again only open on weekends.
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| Edgar Allen Poe - only open weekends |
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| Edgar Allen Poe - entrance |
21
INDEPEDENCE HALL National Historic Park – Philadelphia, PA
The Declaration of
Independence and the US Constitution
were created here at Independence Hall. The Liberty
Bell resides here as well. The park
also interprets events during the years when Philadelphia was the capital of
the US from 1790 to 1800.
Overall this visitor center complex has a whole host of
buildings to visit . . . of course not
all of them were open. This is easily a
full day to see all. I took a lot of
pictures - not all of them are below
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| INDEPENDENCE HALL VISITOR CENTER – 3 levels of parking are below the mall. |
INDENDENCE
HALL was originally built as the Pennsylvania State house. The Assembly
Room in now called Independence Hall. Here the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution were created.
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| Independence Hall - Assembly Chamber |
OLD ST.
MARY’S CHRUCH and GRAVEYARD
Resting place of many notables to include Commodore John Barry “Father
of the American Navy.”
The House of
Representatives and Senate met
on the 1st and second floors of CONGRESS
HALL ( located to the right of Independence
Hall).
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| Independence Hall City Tavern entrance |
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| Independence Hall Liberty Bell |
I had lunch at CITY
TAVERN. This was the social,
cultural and political center – “the most genteel” tavern in America – it was
the site of business transactions, patriot gatherings, and musical
performances. This is a faithful
reconstruction. I had a lunch of
kielbasa, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and 1774 Jefferson Ale on the back porch.
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| Independence Hall - Carpenter House 1st Continental Congress |
The CARPENTER HOUSE originally built as a sort of guild house for a group of “master carpenters.” A Georgia-style building erected between 1770 and 1774 by the Carpenter’s Company, it served as the meeting place of the 1st Continental Congress.
POLISH
AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER just a block down from Carpenter House. No charge,
staffed by volunteers,
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| Kosciuszko National Memorial CLOSED - front door only open on weekends |
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| Kosciuszko |
A brilliant Polish military engineer, KOSCIUSZKO designed and construct fortifications, most notably at
Saratoga and West Point in New York. This
site, a room he rented in 1797-98 is the smallest in the National Park Service. Only
open on weekends.
May 7, 2014
WEATHER: it rained on and off all night – 50’s and
60’s but still a “2 dog night” – cloudy until mid afternoon – when the sun came
out it got to the mid 70’s for a short while
TRAVEL: got there by 1045 and visited the post
office. We must have an accent, the
clerk here was the 2nd person who asked where I was from because of
the accent - - - - - the 1st was a clerk in the Harpers Ferry
Bookstore. Took me 1 hr and 15 minutes
to travel 35 miles back – “rush hour” on the I- system through Philly and
across the river
The
Delaware River is huge - PA charges
everyone $5 to cross from the NJ side . . . . . so it’s $5 a day to get to
Philadelphia.
23 VALLEY
FORGE National Historical Park –
Valley Forge, PA
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| Valley Forge Visitor Centerold film here OK but not state of the art |
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| Valley Forge National Memorial Arch |
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| “MAD” ANTHONY WAYNE statue at the site of where Pennsylvania troops encamped. He was called “mad” because he had a quick temper |
MUHLENBERG’s
BDE – reconstructed huts mark where Gen Peter Muhlenberg’s brigade
anchored the outer defenses. This ground
was a great defensive position – high ground on three side and a river on one
side.
NATIONAL
MEMORIAL ARCH – dedicated in 1917, it commemorates the ”patience and
fidelity” of the soldiers who wintered at Valley Forge in 1977-78.
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| Valley Forge - Washington's HQ |
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| Valley Forge - Washington's HQ |
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| Valley Forge - Washington's HQ |
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| Valley Forge - REDOUBT 3 |
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| ARTILLERY PARK cannon were massed in order to get them to the field or redoubts from where the attack would come. The British never attacked. The Artillery was commanded by BG Henry Knox. He brought many of the cannon from the captured Fort Ticonderoga. |
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| WASHINGTON MEMORIAL CHAPEL was built in the early 1900’s. |
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| GEN JAMES VARNUM HQ & STATUE of BARON VON STEUBEN. Steuben drilled the army and the field was the only place large enough to put all the brigades on the field. |
FRIDAY – May 9, 2014
THIS POST COVERS TWO WEEKS - ALLOW TIME FOR PICTURES TO LOAD
TRAVEL: Timberlane Campground, Clarksboro, New Jersey to Round Pond Recreation Area, West Point, NY: 161 miles 3 hours, 10 minutes. Set up in about 35 minutes.
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| Round Pond - West Point MWR truck & trailer |
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| West Point Round Pond Rec Area |
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| Round Pond |
ROUND POND: I’m starting this post on Friday May 9 in New Jersey, because I’m not sure what the availability of WIFI will be at Round Pond. It’s part of West Point – a military rec area.
SATURDAY - May 10, 2014
TRAVEL: about 55 miles one way to West Orange, NJ; West Point gate, commissary, PX is 5 miles away; West Point GC is 3 miles away; West Point Visitor Center is in town of Highland Falls about 7 miles down the road, adjacent to the Thayer Gate.
ROUND POND: the showers in the Bath House are clean and the water is warm.
WEST POINT
GOLF COURSE: checked for a tee time on Friday . . should
be no problem, after the Class of ’64 outing get done at 1000.. Course looks beautiful. On a scale of 1 – 10, Carlisle is probably a
4; this looks like a 10. |
| Catholic Chapel Stained Glass Windows |
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| Catholic Chapel Front View |
CATHOLIC CHAPEL: visited the Catholic Chapel of the Most Holy
Trinity, USMA, early. After a trip to
West Orange, NJ, I attended Mass at 1715.
There was a baptism. Stained
glass windows of soldier/saints are on one side of the chapel – of note is St.
Barbara. Funeral for James
Bradley/Brady was announced for
Wednesday. I wonder if this is who I
think it is. Without the internet it’s
hard to confirm.
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| West Point Catholic Chapel - Entrance Lower Level |
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| West Point Visitor Center left Tall Building right rear is museum |
WEST POINT VISITOR CENTER: volunteers here really don’t give a care – useless. They were kind of like the lady in the travel Center I visited on post Friday – useless. I’ll return for the 1 hour tour and spend time in the Museum later this week.
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| Thomas Edison National Historical Park |
24 THOMAS EDISON NHP – Orange Park, New Jersey
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| Edison - Entrance from street |
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| Edison - lab |
The laboratory of Thomas Alva Edison had enormous impact on
millions of lives. From his West Orange
laboratories came the motions picture camera, sound recordings, silent and
sound movies and the nickel-iron-alkaline battery.
.jpg) |
| Edisons's Home - Glenmont. Pictures of the inside were not allowed. |
The complex is about 55 miles from where I’m staying. Interesting – Edison was an inventor, not a scientist, never went to college – this was a R&D facility – he built the manufacturing plants around it. He was successful “I always invented to obtain money to go on inventing.”
Edison's recording studio in the factory complex.
BORN: 1847 DIED 1931: Thousands of inventions – with the light bulb – he also had to invent the electric power industry. His purchased the Glenmont Estate in West Orange, NJ in 1886, shortly after his second marriage to Mina Miller. This is less than a mile from his laboratories. He moved his R&D facilities from Menlo Park, NJ to West Orange in 1886-7.
In 1890 he established
the Edison Electric General Electric Co., which merges with Thompson-Houston
Electric Co. in 1882 to form General
Electric.
Somewhere back in time
I think I remember Spencer Tracy portraying Thomas Edison in a film.
SUNDAY - May 11, 2014
Happy Mother’s Day to all . . .
WEATHER: it rained last night, but the sun is out this
morning.TRAVEL: the Train, an experience – learn by doing – the people here are not much help. Garrison to NYC Grand Central Station (Garrison is across the Hudson and across from West Point , about a 12 mile drive) – one way trip for Medicare eligible is $8.25 – I ended up buying a 10 trip ticket for $87. I’m getting the hand of reading schedules. It’s a one hour and 10 minute trip to Grand Central Station. Afte r I figured out the subway – Train 7 is 3 levels down from where I got in on the train; it was a 30+ minute trip through Queens to get to CITI FIELD.
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| Citi Field - Home of the Mets |
CITI FIELD - New York METS vs Philadelphia PHILLIES – Queens, NYC
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| Citi Field |
MONDAY – May 12, 2014
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| Morristown - Visitor Center |
This place is not easy to find. It has 4 units, Jockey Hollow, Fort Nonsense, Washington’s HQ and the New Jersey Brigade Encampment. During two critical winters of the Revolutionary War, the countryside around Morristown sheltered the main encampments of the American Continental Army and served as the headquarters of its Commander-In-Chief (CINC) George Washington.
The Continental Army encamped at Morristown for the second time during the winter of 1779-80. The location was chosen do Washington because it was easy to defend and close to New York City where Clinton’s British Army was spending the winter quartered in homes.
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| Morristown - Map |
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| Reconstruction of winter hut inside the Visitor Center |
The general officers were quartered in private homes while
the rest of the army had to build log huts.
The location of army, above Morristown, was a site named Jockey Hollow. The huts (12 men to a hut) were built to rigid specifications, for
uniformity. Here 10,000 soldiers created the 5th largest city in the colonies.
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| Morristown - Wick Farm |
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| Wick Farm |
The Wick House was the HQ of Gen. Arthur St. Clair. Wick was a prosperous very farmer, the 1,400 acres of land he owned became the winter quarters for Continental Army. Picture above is of the back entry - into the kitchen.
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| Morristown - Fort Nonsense |
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| Morristown - Fort Nonsense |
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| Morristown - Washngton HQ |
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| Morristown - Washington's HQ |
The Ford Mansion is located about 5 miles from Jockey Hollow in Morristown. This was Washington’s HQ. The Museum is located behind the Ford Mansion.
WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY MUSEUM- This
museum is located at the Visitor Center. I got back here about 1515 and asked for a
ticket on the 1530 tour – of course after checking, the 1530 tour had already
left - - - - perhaps it’s not that the
people here “don’t care” they are just “indifferent.” The Museum is
part of the USMA and was built in the early 1800’s. Laid out nicely and not too much detail –
just about right. I’ll revisit later.
TUESDAY – May 13, 2014
TRAVEL: I did a lot of traveling today
- - - Left Round Pond 0800-Paterson NHS (40 miles 1 hr 15 min)
Paterson-Camping World somewhere in NJ (50 miles almost 2 hours
traffic/construction) Camping World –Gateway -Sandy Hook NRA (30 miles 1 hour – along a
portion of NJ with really nice beachfront property of course the beach is on
the other side of a huge wall) Gateway - Sandy Hook NRA to Round Pond (100
miles 2 hours 15 minutes there are sometimes 4 to 6 lanes of traffic along the
NJ Turnpike).
There are no what we
may call traditional interchanges out East i.e. a cloverleaf . . . here they have a cloverleaf within a
cloverleaf and just to keep you going in circles, it appears there may be a
roundabout within a roundabout that is within
one or both cloverleaves. To get the
picture – just think that very little goes in a straight line – kind of like
many army post road patterns. Actually, I think this is due to lack of space
and mountains.
After Patterson –
what next – I thought - I’d visit
Upper Delaware – but I called first – good thing because the Zane Grey
Museum doesn’t open until Memorial Day -
but 150 miles of river is free everyday – good thing I called . . . .
I saw ghetto ( in Paterson), a very Orthodox Jewish Community somewhere in NJ and the way to Camping Worlds - for while I could have been in Israel beards, hats, prayer shawls . . . . and Sandy Hook was a good find . . . .
There are several units of GATEWAY and I really didn’t plan to visit Sandy Hook
– out of the way but worth the time. Spent
3 hours there to include a Sandy Hook Lighthouse tour - up to the top.
Could have spent 5 or 6 more hours if was a nicer day.
WEATHER: Never got much above the low 60’s – a brisk wind out of the NE.
26 PATERSON GREAT FALLS NHP – Paterson, New Jersey
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| Paterson Great Falls |
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| Paterson Great Falls |
This was a bit of a disappointment – especially at first . .
. difficult to find – not well marked .. . a NP in progress. Looked like whatever might have been a
visitor center was closed . . . then I found the museum – again not well marked
– some redemption – spent about an hour or so here – a NP in progress.
Paterson, NJ does have a story to tell . . . .
Founded by Alexander
Hamilton on the Passaic River in 1792
An industrial center
due to the power from the falls . . . .
77 ft high, 260 ft wide
It’s location is - - - well “be aware of your surroundings at
all times – Lock all valuables out of sight in your car.
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| Paterson Great Falls |
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| Paterson Great Falls |
Samuel Colt had his first firearms factory here in Patterson. The picture left is across from the museum.
Locomotives were built here – including the “General” from Andrews Raid (the Great Locomotive Chase), Wright Brothers and Curtiss built the airplane engine here that flew Lindberg’s “Spirit of St. Louis,” the inventor of the first practical submarine was from Paterson and Bud Costello was from Paterson.
27 GATEWAY – SANDY
HOOK UNIT NRA – New Jersey
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA |
A great place for biking – paved - flat – asphalt trails.
.jpg) |
| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA |
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| This place must get crowded during the summer. There are plenty of huge parking lots. |
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| Looks like new construction due to Hurricane Sandy. |
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA |
Fort Hancock was established in 1874 as a weapons proving
ground. In 1895 Fort Hancock served as
the outermost defense point of New York City.
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA |
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA Entrance to the mortar battery. In addition to gun batteries Fort Hancock had mortar batteries |
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA Concrete gun batteries. Coastal defenses WWI and WWII |
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA Anti-aircraft NIKE missile batteries: Few remember that we had nukes stored in or near most of our major cities. Milwaukee’s Summerfest rounds was the location of a NIKE missile battery. |
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| Sandy Hook - Gateway NRA Anti-aircraft NIKE missile batteries |
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| Sandy Hook - Fort Hancock Officers Row |
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| Sandy Hook Lighthouse |
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| The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the longest operating lighthouse in the US. It celebrates it’s 250th anniversary in June 2014. Yes I did walk to the top with a ranger. |
WEDNESDAY – May 14, 2014
Travel: Train—Garrison to GCS; Subway #6
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| Governor's Island National Monument |
For more than two centuries, this island was used as a military reservation, beginning with the American Revolution and closing as a Coast Guard base in 1997. Two forts still remain on the island.
28 CASTLE CLINTON NM - NYC, NY
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| Castle Clinton |
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| Diorama Castle Clinton |
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| Castle Clinton |
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| Castle Clinton |
One of the forts built to defend New York Harbor in the War
of 1812, Castle
Clinton never saw combat.
Since then, the Castle served as a restaurant, an opera house, an
immigrant landing depot, and as the New York City Aquarium until 1941
Not much to see here.
This is where you buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
boat – the people here are for the most part unconcerned or uninvolved . . .
. even the Rangers.
29 STATUE OF LIBERTY - NYC
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| Liberty Island |
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| Liberty Island |
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| Liberty Island |
Located on 12 acre Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from France
Lots to learn here - tickets for the base and crown have to be bought in advance. I’ve been to the crown when I was in high school – no need to do it again. I spent most of my time listening to the audio tour.
1811 Star shaped
Fort Wood built on Bedloe’s (Liberty) Island.
1865 Laboulaye, Bartholdi and others conceive
the idea for a monument to liberty – something France was in need of
1871 Bartholdi tours NY harbor and chooses site.
1874 Fund raising begins in France
1876 Liberty’s arm and torch displayed at the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in
Philadelphia
1879 Gustave Eiffel designs statues internal framework
1881-84 Statue assembled in Paris, Foundation work begins on Bedloe’s Island.
1884 Pedestal designed by Richard Morris
1885 Statue dismantled, shipped to NY. Joseph Pulitzer begins funding for pedestal in
New York World.
1886 Statue reassembled and dedicated Oct 28
1892 Ellis Island immigration station opens
29
ELLIS ISLAND NM – NYC
Between 1892 and 1954, nearly 12 million steerage and third class steamship passengers were inspected at Ellis Island. Millions of Americans can claim ancestors who came through Ellis Island.
Between 1892 and 1954, nearly 12 million steerage and third class steamship passengers were inspected at Ellis Island. Millions of Americans can claim ancestors who came through Ellis Island.
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| Ellis Island Visitor Center |
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| Ellis Island |
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| Ellis Island |
You could easily spend half a day or more here. Much in the museum is in rehab due to
Sandy.
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| Ellis Island This could explain why my grandpa Joseph Drewek was born/raised near Crivitz WI before coming to Milwaukee. |
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| Ellis Island -Logging in Wisconsin |
30 FEDERAL HALL N Mem – NYC
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| Federal Hall - Statue of George Washington - NY Stock Exchange across the street |
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| NY Stock Exchange - diagonally across from Federal Hall |
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| George Washington was inaugurated here on April 30, 1789 |
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| Rotunda of Federal Hall. |
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ST. PAUL’s CHAPEL – NYC Episcopal - 74 Trinity Place
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| St. Paul's Chapel Saved from the 9-11 attack, literally 2 blocks away |
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| St. Paul's Chapel |
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| St. Paul's Chapel |
George Washington prayed here. Built in Georgian Classic Revival style in 1766. Part of Trinity Church (Broadway & Wall)
1966 Construction of the WTC begun across the street from the St. Paul’s Chapel graveyard
2001 911 attacks spare St. Paul’s Chapel from destruction – serves as home for round the clock volunteer relief for recovery workers at Ground Zero. Located on Broadway & Wall
31 AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND NM - NYC
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| This is the corner entrance to the Federal Building with an address of 290 Broadway. The African Burial Ground Museum is easy to miss because it's in the middle of this building on Broadway and gaining entry is like getting into an airport, |
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| African Burial Ground |
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| African Burial Ground |
Located at 290
Broadway in Lower Manhattan, just north of City Hall at Broadway and Duane, this
location is a Federal Building. Easy to
miss . . . except for the address you
would miss the entrance to the small but nicely laid out museum. Archeological digs indicated these people
were buried with great respect. From the 1690’s until the 1790’s, both free and enslaved
Africans were buried in 6.6 acres in Lower Manhattan. Lost to history due to development, the
grounds were rediscovered in 1991 due to the construction of a federal
building. An outdoor memorial honors
this sacred area.
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| African Burial Ground Sankofa symbol |
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| African Burial Ground |
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| African Burial Ground |
The outdoor memorial . The heart-shaped West African symbol is called the Sankofa and translates to” learn from the past to prepare for the future.” Long neglected and overlain by two centuries of progress, the African Burial Ground reemerged in 1991 during construction of a Federal Office Building. The ancestral burial ground is the final resting place for 419 human beings – thye are buried as clos as possible to the original positions. An exhibit in the museum shows how they were buried with respect and care. Many others are most likely gone because of development. Established in 2006, African Burial Ground National Monument is a place to contemplate the spirit of the Sankofa.
THURSDAY – May 15, 2014
Weather: 60’s up to 70, rainy, cloudy Travel: Train-Garrison to GCS; Subway #7, #1 - - - #6 to TD
32 HAMILTON GRANGE National Memorial
.jpg) |
| Hamilton Grange - Home of Alexander Hamilton |
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| Hamilton Grange |
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| Hamilton-Grange - front |
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| Hamilton Grange Map indicates movement of the House, yet all this property was The Grange |
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| Parlor of Hamilton Grange note the floor to ceiling doors/windows and porch/patio. |
This is located in Harlem 141st St, adjacent to New York City College. Why did these guys always have to build their homes on high hills – for great views – then – now surrounded by buildings. I got off at the 137th St-City College Station.
Founding father Alexender Hamilton was instrumental in creating the Constitution after the American Revolution. This house was completed in 1802 and named “The Grange” after Hamilton’s family home in Scotland.
Hamilton was born in the Caribbean, orphaned, intelligent, not from a rich family or background; he came to New York, enrolled in King’s College, now Columbia University.
By age 21 he
identified with the revolutionary cause.
He organized an artillery unit and fought in NJ and PA. Washington noticing his daring and
intelligence appointed him as a personal aide.
As a Colonel, Hamilton, led a major attack in the Battle of
Yorktown in 1781. Then he went to law school.
Later, Hamilton argued at the Constitutional Convention of 1887 for a strong central government. With John Jay and James Madison he wrote essays explaining the new constitution and urging citizens for its ratification. These are still referred to by judges; they are called the “Federalist Papers.”
He was appointed Secretary of the Treasury. He was instrumental in promoting manufacturing (Morristown), establishing a national bank and recommending that the Federal Government pay off state debts. His ideas worried Thomas Jefferson who believed that the federal government did not have such powers. However, by the end of Hamilton’s term and arguing that the Constitution supported flexible and “implied powers” the country had excellent credit and a strong economy.
Hamilton was always a controversial citizen. Hamilton did not support slavery. He defended a newspaper editor who was being sued by Jefferson for slander. He argued that journalists had the same rights as citizens to freedom of speech.
He was killed in a duel by Aaron Burr, VP under Jefferson. Hamilton had criticized Jefferson’s government. Harsh words led to the duel. At 10 paces, Burr shot Hamilton in the liver, the bullet lodged in his spine, he died the next day. Legend grew that Hamilton missed deliberately so as not to have the stain of killing another.
HAMILTON-GRANGE was built by Hamilton in 1802 in Harlem Heights – to get away from the city. Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth had 8 children. After his death, family friends made sure Elizabeth had enough money to live at the Grange with her children. I liked the layout of this house – large parlor (family room) and dining room on each side of the house with large floor to ceiling windows (patio doors) that access a porch (deck). He built this house to announce his arrival and legitimacy as a gentleman in society.
33 GENERAL GRANT N Mem - NYC
WHO’S BURIED IN GRANT’S TOMB? This memorial to Ulysses S. Grant , victorious
Union commander of the Civil War and President of the US from 1869-1877,
includes the tomb of General Grant and his wife, Julia Dent Grant.
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| Grant's Tomb |
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| Grant's Tomb & Riverside Church |
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| Grant's Tomb |
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| Grant's Tomb |
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| Grant's Tomb |
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| Grant's Tomb |
The Grant Memorial rises 150 feet from a bluff overlooking the Hudson River. After 2 terms as President, Grant died in 1885. The Memorial was funded by 90,000 people who donated more than $600,000 to build the Memorial. Initial funding was led by Richard T. Greener, fist black graduate of Harvard. Grant was a national hero- “among the most revered of men.” The Grant Memorial was dedicated on April 27, 1897, the 75th Anniversary of Grant’s birth. Julia died in 1902.
1869 Supported efforts to ensure equality for African Americans, Hiram Revels – 1st
black elected to the US Senate
1870 Passage of the 15th Amendment – guaranteeing voting rights for African
American males. Chose Ely Parker and Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
1872 Signed a law declaring Yellowstone would be “dedicated and set apart as a public
park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. America’s
first National Park.
1871 Treaty of Washington – resolved boundary disputes between Britain and the US
in Canada, as well as settling claims for damages caused by the CSS Alabama
and other confederate cruisers during the Civil War.
1873 Timber Culture Act – granted settlers 160 acres plots if they would cultivate trees
on ¼ of the land for 10 years.
Publication of the 128 volume “Official Records of Union and Confederate Armies” during his second term. I’ve seen a copy of this set in the Durand Historical Society center once – years ago – maybe it was in the old court house then.
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| Riverside Church |
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| Riverside Church |
RIVERSIDE CHURCH – just a massive structure, originally Northern Baptist, funded by John D. Rockefeller, now a non-denominational church. They must have over a dozen people on staff working security and as greeters during the week. Across from Grant’s Tomb – I spent a half hour here – resting – out of the rain.
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| Riverside Church inside |
34 THEORDORE ROOSEVELT BIRTHPLACE NHS
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| Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace |
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| Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace |
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, lived at this site from his birth until he was 14 years old. The reconstructed house contains five period rooms, two museum galleries and a bookstore. A two story brownstone, the third story was added later to accommodate his 1 brother and 2 sisters.
They have a 25 minute video here about Roosevelt as a
child. He had asthma until he was in his
early 20’s. Because of his sickness he
was home-schooled and a kind of a wimp.
His father gave him a warning and
a challenge “You have a mind, but you haven’t got a body. To do all you can with your mind, you must
make your body match it.” He worked out
at home. Yet, after being picked on one
summer that he spent in Maine, for better air, he decided to “toughen up” and
went to the gym to learn how to box. It
changed his life. He was always
interested in adventure and reading.
Known as “Teedie” or TD never “Teddy.” Pictures with flash not allowed of the inside.
FRIDAY – May 16, 2014
Weather: Raining – met a guy “class of 64” here for his 50th reunion. He doesn’t think the golf outing will come off this morning – actually I think it will – but whether you want to play in the rain is a choice. In the last month I’ve seen a lot of rain but no thunder or lightning.
0910 still raining and it got very windy - I may take the day to wash clothes – catch up – and try to find a hot spot
Spoke with Anne Marie today. It looks like we may get together Sunday afternoon when I finish with the Yankees game. Sunday looks like it could be a long day with a lot of travel.
Paul also called when I was on the 3rd hole – he’s going to be leaving for Afghanistan soon . . . .  |
| USMA Golf Course |
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| USMA Golf Course |
Yes, it was raining – played 9 – raining really hard for the last the last 3 holes - - - cost was $24 + $9 for the cart - - - - - - not many on the course. The Class of ‘64 outing did take place – the guy I met earlier name is, imagine this, Bill Murphy. I shot a 47. These guys aren’t real sure who is who – a friendly bunch i.e. they weren’t sure if I belonged or not. This really is a well kept course – needs some cutting but it’s been raining on and off for days – cart path only. It is very green – fairly straight and goes around the mountain. Five holes out one way then 4 holes back to the Club House – same with the back nine but on the other side of the club house.
I washed clothes in Highland Falls. I met the couple in the
PACE ARROW RV, across from me, pulling a small Toyota at the laundromat - they’re names are Jim and Brenda Reed – he
was commissioned in ’59 got out after 10 years – “too much Vietnam” – he
finished in the Reserve. They live in
Arizona and have relatives in NYC.
The THAYER GATE
is just 2 blocks past the McDonald’s – and so is the WEST POINT LIBRARY (from the
Thayer Gate) – couldn’t get WIFI at
the McDonalds, so I went to the WEST
POINT LIBRARY – well I couldn’t get WIFI there either – but I did connect to
my phone as a hot spot – only got 3 pictures and the verbiage I’ve been writing
at night to update the blog.
RAINING – still - - - RAINING and windy – some branches down at
ROUND POND – Rained all night.
SATURDAY May 17, 2014
G O L F - PICATINNY ARSENAL |
| Picatinny GC |
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| Picatinny GC |
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| Picatinny Golf Course |
I think I was at Picatinny as Bn Cdr for the 126th FA for a fielding conference of the M109A6 Paladin howitzer in the mid 90’s. I don’t remember many details, but I do remember that few Bn Cdrs attended. I remember I arrived late at night – someone paged LTC Gapinski . . . . so I did get a ride – but I can’t remember who it was. Many unit Commanders sent their FTS people. I did make decisions, and most memorable is that I chose the camo pattern as Woodland Green not Desert Tan – was that a bad bet ? ? ?
The course was very, very green and well kept. A nice course to play. Cart path only – maybe that’s how they keep the courses in such great shape. I think the rain keeps them green. Shot a 47 - - - no logo golf balls at the pro shop – they haven’t come in yet.
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| Sacred Heart Church |
A 5th wheel pulled in
around 1915 – they’re loaded to party – lots of Bud Light – huge coolers - they
have “USMA West Point Class of 2014” on
the trailer - a couple from Long Island who have a son graduating. Danny and Janet – neither ever served - proud
parents – son will be going Aviation – Ft. Rucker. They’ve left the trailer here in storage and
come to visit - - - - party time is next week.
He will be going back to work occasionally during the next week.
The couple across the way from AZ, invited me over to join them with their fire – they picked up their 20 year old grandson at Garrison today – he’s going to school in Brooklyn at a St . . . . . Bill was walking his dog and he joined us for a while – of course I brought a cooler. As it turns out Bill did graduate from USMA ’64 but ended up in the AF and was a fwd air controller/observer in Vietnam 68-69. Jim was there in 64-65. I offered Bill a beer and the topic changed. Clear night – got down to the 40’s – a 2 dog night – woke up and the trailer was at 52.
SUNDAY – May 18, 2014
Weather: sunny morning
Travel: got on
the train at Garrison and it took me directly Yankee Stadium – then back on the
“D” train to Atlantic Avenue – Barclays Center then to the “R” train to
Union St and walk about 6 blocks to Anne’s apartment.
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| Yankee Stadium |
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| Yankee Stadium |
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| Yankee Stadium |
YANKEE STADIUM - New York YANKEES vs Pittsburgh PIRATES
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| Yankee Stadium |
NEW YORK YANKEES
vs. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
I had no intention to stay for the
whole game, let alone 2 games., beers are $9.75 a piece . . . . I left at the
end of the 6th inning around 3:15 to head to Brooklyn. Got there around 4:30 . . . some conversation, a quick dinner, and back
to the trains by 6:30 – Got back to Round Pond around 9:30.
MONDAY – May 19, 2014
Weather: clear
and cool in the morning, it was 50, not quite 49, in the trailer – all these days have had very
lttile humidity – except for when it’s raining
Travel: took the
train to GCS, then took the #5 to the end of the line in Bronx – got off and
started walking . . . . it’s very
commercial/industrial old – but after ¾ mile I made it. There
was a school group due and the three volunteers weren’t sure what to do
with me, don’t think they get many visitors here, I only spent an hour here.
35 SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH NHS – (closed weekends)
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| St. Paul's Church |
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| St. Paul's Church |
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| St. Paul's Church |
St. Paul’s has a Mt. Vernon, NY address and is supposedly at the end of a
Bronx subway line, then about a 8 block walk - - - - It took almost 2 ¾ to get
there and I spent less than an hour on site.
It became a NHS in 1984. This was
an Episcopal Church and due to a declining parish membership it was given to
the federal government in 1980. Sara
Delano Roosevelt, mother of FDR, chaired a committee in 1942, to restore the
church to it 1787 appearance. Generous
donations allowed transfer of ownership and opening to the public in 1984..
UNITED STATE MILITARY ACADEMY - WEST
POINT, NY
There is a bus tour (school bus) for $14 - from the Visitor
Center - - - great for tourists who can’t get on post – I bought a guide book -
already have the map and will tour myself.
Already found the Stadium, PX, Shopette, Commissary, and Catholic and
Jewish Chapels and the Post Library. My
ID card will get me in any of the 3 gates.
I went to the Post Library – finally connected to the internet. Worked OK for awhile then it went out – Limited Access. . . . . not dependable.
Gave myself a tour of West Point. OK – been there done that – don’t really need
to do it again. I walked a lot UPHILL –
and then inevitably there was down hill.
It’s an army post – it’s a collage campus and of course it has history .
. . . .
The West Point Museum
is a gem and well worth 2-3 hours. This is located in Highland Falls, just
behind the not so welcoming (in my opinion) Welcome Center - you don’t
have to have an ID card to get to this one.
Actually, this was Fortress West Point during the Revolutionary War. The American flag has flown here since January 27, 1778, making it the oldest continually occupied post of the US Army. However, defeat preceded ultimate victory.
1775 The NY
Provincial Congress warned the Continental
Congress that British mastery of the Hudson River “will give them the
entire command of the water communication with the Indian nations, prevent all
intercourse between the eastern and southern confederates and enfeeble every
effort for our common preservation and security”
1777 Without
military expertise, progress on the defenses was slow. The militia proved no match for the British
regulars, Tory betrayal of the river crossings led to a 30 minute battle and an American defeat. The 2,500 men under Sir Henry Clinton got back in their boats and sailed north. Clinton
expected to join with Gen John Burgoyne
in Canada.
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| West Point - Trophy Point - map/layout |
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| West Point - Trophy Point - 13 links of the Great Chain surrounded by cannon |
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| Colonel Thaddeus Kosciusko |
TROPHY POINT
offers “wars that changed the nation,” an open air cannon exhibit with
“trophies” of every war. The large
Battle Monument identifies every graduate fighting for the US who was KIA
during the Civil War.
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| Colonel Thaddeus Kosciusko West Point |
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| West Point - Mahan |
West Point ‘s claim as America’s first engineering school dates from the first superintendent, Colonel Alfred Thayer and his Professor of Engineering Colonel Dennis Hart Mahan.
Alexander Hamilton proposed a national military academy. Washington endorsed the idea but it was created by Thomas Jefferson, a long time opponent of a military academy and of Hamilton, in 1802.
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| West Point - view from across the Hudson River at Garrison Train Station |
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| West Point from Cadet Chapel |
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| Cadet Chapel - inside |
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| Cadet Chapel |
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| West Point - Mitchie Stadium |
Cadet athletics – Mitchie Stadium - they say it isn’t just football. The corps of cadets is known as “the 12th man” - they stand throughout the entire game until the clock runs out.
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| Competition for Molly Hayes McCauley the other "Molly Pitcher" |
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| The other Molly Pitcher |
The cemetery. It seems that the Daughters of the American Revolution support Captain Molly Corbin, as “Molly Pitcher.” Of course, this seems to be at odds with what the US Army Field Artillery School preaches Sargeant Molly McCauley buried in Carlisle, PA.
“ . . . I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foriegn and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office which I am about to enter, so help me God.”
TUESDAY May 20, 2014
Weather: a 2 dog night but sunny in the morning, nice
driving weather but never got much above 60
Travel: this was a 65 mile trip that took about 2
hours, lots of mountains and small towns, good driving, the route took me
through 19 miles of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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| Trailer at Mountain Vista Campground |
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| Mountain Vista Campground |
Arrived at Mountain Vista Campground around 1:30 but it took me almost 2 hours to set up. People here are very friendly- helpful – like the other place RiversEdge KOA in Connellsville, PA, - the site is level but a bit of a steep back-in like Harpers Ferry. The electrical and cable is in the front of the site – so I needed another 25 ft of electrical cable. The sewer hookup is literally under a rock and the water runs through a black hose and spigot that comes out of the ground in the back. VERY QUIET HERE nobody here yet - - - season starts this weekend - - - - THIS HAS GOOD WIFI, and WIFI for my phone and GOOD PHONE SERVICE and CABLE that works . . . . JACKPOT
This is the “Poconos” - like the Dells lots of tourist spots but lots of mountains and you canoe
or kayak the Delaware River – no commercial traffic on the river.
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| Bushkill Falls |
Weather: It rained last night – but stayed in the 50’s – cloudy did not get much above 65 – it was still warm doing hiking up hills/mountains
Travel: NONE OF THE VISITOR CENTERS ARE OPEN UNTIL THIS WEEKEND, I did visit the ParkHeadquarters – drove to the GAP (I-80 an d a local highway on the PA side of the River) – then to a place called Bushkill Falls (just like the Dells – they wanted 12.50 to see the Falls and hike the trails – I opted out.
Headquarters – drove to
the GAP (I-80 and a local highway on the PA side of
the River) – then to a place called Bushkill
Falls (just like the Dells – they wanted $12.50 to see the Falls and hike
the trails – I opted out.
(river open all year Zane Grey Museum opens Memorial Day – not worth a trip just for a stamp if the ranger if there and answers the door) I DID VISIT THIS SITE #71 ON SEP 1, 2014
This site is the Delaware River – white water – kayaking/rafting – probably a nice place to visit in July - - - there are no real Visitor Centers – only the Zane Grey Museum.
The Delaware River snakes
gracefully through the countryside on the start of its 331 miles journey to the
Atlantic Ocean. Joseph Brandt, John Roebling and Zane Grey lend a texture to
the landscape that helps tell the tale of frontier life and the rapid growth of
America in the 1800’s.
I called and spoke to the ranger
here on Monday the 12th. It
doesn’t sound like anyone is really here until Memorial Day. I called on Saturday the 17th and
of course there is nobody at the ranger station/visitor center on
weekends. Try again on Monday the 19th. Somehow I think the Upper Delaware, Delaware
Water Gap and Middle Delaware are associated somehow. I’d stay at Round Pond, except there is no communication here –
it may be better at the next place.
Don’t really think I’ll ever get
this cancellation stamp – maybe this Fall and so it goes visited the Zane Gray Museum and got NPS Passprot stamp 1 SEP 2020
37 MIDDLE DELAWARE
Same goes for this site . . . . . Middle Delaware may be the same as Delaware Water
Gap. I did obtain a NPS Passport Stamp
38 DELAWARE WATER GAP (PA
& NJ)
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| Delaware Water Gap |
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| Delaware Water Gap |
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| Kittatinny Point Visitor Center CLOSED |
BUSHKILL FALLS – I did not pay $12.50 to see the falls and hike the trails – this is private – not part of Delaware Gap.
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| The Gap for the Delaware River |
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| Delaware Valley from Tumbling Waters Trail |
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| Hemlock Forest from Tumbling Waters Trail |
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| Top of 2nd water fall |
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| Tumbling Waters Trail |
You could spend days here. There are 6 trails. I did hike the Tumbling Waters Trail to see the falls – a little over 3 miles – took me 1 hr and 50 minutes – a lot of ups and downs – steep climbs and descents. For my effort and completions of a survey I was granted a water bottle. I did not see much wildlife on the trek. There was one point on the hike where it got so quiet – I thought I was in a cave – no birds – no wind – just perfect silence – a bit strange.
.jpg) |
| Silverthread Falls |
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| Dingman's Falls |
Continued on to Dingmans Falls – more water – and a lot
of steps to get to the top – had to do it.
On the way back I noticed a NPS Dingman
Campground. I stopped to
check it out. Literally empty – nobody
in the sites. Sites have water and electric – there is no phone service – so
obviously no WIFI or little TV. Another
nice place to get away from it all.
THURSDAY May 22, 2104
Weather: it rained last night again – no surprise – wake up in the
50’s damp – supposed to be high 60’s by noon then above 70
Travel: about 56 miles from where I am – it rained hard almost all the way there and then when I got to the valley (Lackawanna – Scranton) it cleared up
38 STEAMTOWN NHS –
(Scranton, PA)
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| Steamtown |
Steamtown National Historic Site offers world-class museum facilities which tell the story of steam railroading. Both the nuts-and-bolts side and the personal side are shown at the Park.
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| Steamtown - Roundhouse |
When Steamtown was created, the National Park Service decided to use the existing portions of the Roundhouse (dating from 1902, 1917 and 1937) as a part of the Museum Complex, while adding a Visitor Center, Theater, Technology Museum and History Museum. The Visitor Center opened in 1994.
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| The railroad cars here are the real thing of what remember with my electric toy train sets |
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| A Cutaway View of A Stem Locomotive - very informative |
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| How a steam locomotiveworks |
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| Locomotive Shop Engine restoration |
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| Locomotive Shop Tender under restoration |
This is a train museum and I was
not over enthused but I was impressed – I spent 5 hours here – just about right
but I didn’t see/read everything. – for that - plan on at least a full day. Just the same I am glad I stopped here – if you are not a train buff before the visit – this could make you one . . . . . .
clearly done very well and with lots of videos and exhibits and everything is
up to date – not dry but really educationally.
This is about 10,000 times better than whenever Chad & Ryan & I
went to, to see Thomas. In my book this
is a must see if you’re in the area.
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| Steamtown - inside the passanger car |
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| Steamtown - |
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| Steamtown - Locomotive Repair Shop |
The Roundhouse section is also part of the Technology Museum and the History Museum . This turntable is under repair and should be completely operational in August this year.
There is a movie, in a huge auditorium, that can hold hundreds – theatre sytle The movie is 1995 and revolves around a child who grows up to work on the RR – Like the Theodore Roosevelt House, it caters to people of all ages . . . . but especially to what children may be able to relate to - well done.
The Steamtown Collection consists of locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars and maintenance right-of-way equipment from several historic railroads. The locomotives range in size from a tiny industrial switch engine built in 1937 by H.K. Porter Company for the Bullard Company to a huge Union Pacific Big Boy built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO).
I’m not sure if I really remember steam engines expect for my American Flyer train set, by the 50’s diesels had replaced most steam engines. Below is a short history of railroading and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.
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| Steamtown - Phoebe Snow |
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| Steamtown - Phoebe Snow |
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| These RR cars look exctly like my model trains - except that these are the real thing |
1849-53 Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad is formed by combining the Cayuga & Susquenna, the Lackawanna & Western and the Cobb’s Gap Railroads.
1869 the transcontinental railroad is completed between Omaha, Nebraska and Sacramento, California
1904 “Phoebe Snow” first promotes travel on the DL&W RR.
1949 The diesel powered luxury train “Phoebe Snow” is introduced. Scranton locomotive shops close. At it’s peak these shops employed 3,000 people.
1960 DL&W and the Erie RRs merge to from the Erie-Lackawanna RR.
1976 Consolidated Rail Corp. (CONRAIL) is formed from merging numerous RRs, including the Erie-Lackawanna.
1986 Congress establishes Steamtown National Historic Site.
1995 Restored and recreated roundhouse and museum opens to visitors. (it still looks very new in 2014)
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| Steamtown |
When you stop believing in
SANTA
You get underwear, NO TRAINS
Travel: a long drive today -
to Ohio – it’s about 422 miles on the
road -hope to leave around 7 am. Left at 7:45 was set up by 3:45. This is the first place I've been where there are people, of course it's a holiday weekend and the temperature is in the mid - high 70's.
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| Huron River Valley Campground |
Had perch and fries here. The Sand Bar.
Travel: another long drive today - home – it’s about 377 miles on the road - hope through the loop over the Skyway Bridge - gained an hour going back to CDT home around 2:45. Park on the road in Burlilngton tonight, Sunday and then to Bong until June 2. Leave for Indiana on Monday, June 2.
