Hyde Park Homes

Thankfully we did most of the outdoor things the day before, because the day’s scattered showers didn’t disrupt our mostly indoor plans. After church, we drove to Hyde Park to visit the homes of Franklin D. Roosevelt & Eleanor Roosevelt. I knew a bit about both of them, but it was so interesting to see how FDR was raised, how they modified the imposing home to accommodate his wheelchair, etc. 

 

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt

The dining room—hard to picture a casual meal here!

The library had a ramp to enter (note the wheelchair)

Their new-fangled television set

FDR's bedroom—the telephone was a direct line with the White House

The fancy stairs (they later built a small elevator for him to use)

Wreaths recently left at their gravesites on the property

And across the way at the cottage, to see how intentional Eleanor was in the causes she supported (e.g. American craftsman) and how she entertained visitors as a counter to the formality of the Roosevelt estate. Plus, we got to see it with my colleague Patti, who lives in the area.

Val-Kill Cottage

Sign explaining a bit more about her dreams for this farm and supporting American craftsmen.

The dining room as it would look around Thanksgiving—my great-aunt had dishes just like hers! Meals were informal and served here even when entertaining dignitaries.

So lovely to see Patti!

Grateful for a good travel buddy!

Just up the river is the Vanderbilt Mansion, and it was fun to catch a glimpse into Gilded Age entertainment as we toured the house and explored the gardens. It was easy to imagine taking a train or steamship up the river and going the last mile in a carriage or chauffeured car, and the army it took to support that lifestyle.

Vanderbilt Mansion

Entrance Hall

Dining Room

Frederick Vanderbilt's Office

Living Room

Mrs. Vanderbilt's bedroom

Kitchen at the Vanderbilt Mansion

Teahouse at the Vanderbilt Mansion

"The Pool Gardens" at the Vanderbilt Mansion

View of the Hudson from the Vanderbilt Mansion

We capped off the day on the east side of the Hudson by having dinner at the Tavern at Beekman Arms, a place my friend suggested. I hadn’t heard of it, but there’s been a tavern here since the 1700s and the quarrel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr is said to have started here. Regardless, the interior was quaint and the food was delicious.

Beekman Arms

Mohonk, New Paltz, and the Hudson

We started the day with a visit to the Mohonk Preserve, enjoying the scenic trails, a bit of fall color, and making me wonder what it would’ve been like to live in a stone gatehouse. Unlike Bear Mountain State Park, this is a private nature reserve that got its start shortly after the Civil War.

Testimonial Gate

Mohonk Preserve

From there we made our way to the town of New Paltz, which was founded by French Huguenots in the late 1670s and still has stone houses from the early 1700s and other historic homes. They were lovely, and the guided walking tour made me appreciate the history of the area a bit more.

Replica Esopus Wigwam

Interior of the Ezekiel Elting House on historic Huguenot Street

Deyo-Brodhead House in New Paltz

French Reformed Church (reconstruction)

Bevier-Elting House (architectural details showing the Dutch influence)

another charming home on Historic Huguenot Street

Reformed Church

It was a little early for peak fall foliage, but the drive in the Preserve was still scenic, and I enjoyed the short hike to an overlook to catch a glimpse of fall color. 

Made it to the top!

View from the top in Mohonk Preserve

The other highlight (literally) was Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. They converted a railroad bridge that’s over a hundred years old into a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, and it made for great scenic views of the valley and the river way down below.

Sojourner Truth statue at the entrance to the bridge (she's from the region)

View of the Hudson River

Made it to the other side (and then had to walk back)

Valley Forge

Learning more about the Hudson River Valley before and during our Labor Day Camping trip made me realize that trip was only scratching the surface, so I convinced my travel buddy to return in the fall. Leaving earlier in the day allowed Kara and I the chance to stop at Valley Forge along the way. The location is beautiful and it was great to see so many locals enjoying it, but the museum and signs made me appreciate just how hard it was for the soldiers stationed there during the Revolutionary War, and the miracles it took for our eventual victory.

Reconstruction of the barracks—very cozy quarters!

National Memorial Arch honoring George Washington

Washington's Quarters

Monument to Baron von Steuben—his training of the troops was essential

Today the park also preserves natural meadows

Detail of the Washington Memorial Chapel

 

Labor Day Concert at West Point

In this rural area the closest unit of our church was a branch a bit of a drive away, which I’d expected, but I was blown away at its diversity. Enough members came from French- or Creole-speaking places that some of the prayers and testimonies were given in those languages.
 
After a brief nap, we went to West Point early to stake out our spots for the evening’s concert. That left plenty of time to take turns holding the fort while others walked around the campus. Like the Hudson River Valley as a whole, West Point is a place I’ve heard about for years but knew almost nothing about. I learned the campus’ location was intentional at a strategic bend in the Hudson River, and that during the Revolutionary War “The Great Chain” was a boom extended across the river to control the passage of ships. They made a small monument from some of these massive links, and I couldn’t imagine the effort involved to deploy it. They called this location “Trophy Point” and also had cannons from previous wars. The campus itself resembled a castle or fortress. I loved seeing the homes of the superintendent, commandant, and their surrounding gardens—only to discover a sign as I was walking back another way saying that the area was only open to students and faculty (whoops!). Also plenty of signage reminding them of their athletic duty to beat Navy.

Concert venue—hard to beat the view!

West Point campus

One of the many cannons on Victory Row

Battle Monument

The Great Chain from the Revolutionary War

Superintendent's House

Another charming home on campus

At last, the concert began in their dedicated stage with a natural bowl for the audience seating to overlook the Hudson. The military band was talented and performed American music covering a range of genres, topped off by a great fireworks show over the river. Definitely worth the trip.

A wonderful musical accompaniment to the beautiful sunset

Fireworks finale

  

Labor Day Weekend at Bear Mountain State Park, NY

A friend in the ward grew up attending a Labor Day concert on the campus at West Point, and graciously organized a group camping trip for us to experience it. Growing up in California, it still blows my mind how many East Coast states you can drive through in a few hours, but the combo of holiday weekend and general New York City traffic meant we arrived at the campground in the dark the night before.
 
We spent a good part of Saturday exploring Bear Mountain State Park nearby, and I learned this concept of a developed recreational public park was novel in its time, and quickly became a popular excursion from New York City over a century ago. It also contains the oldest section of the Appalachian Trail and the AT’s lowest point, so now whether or not I do the rest of it, I can say I’ve hiked these landmarks. My favorite parts, though, were the old lodge, a historic carousel, and a mini zoo (mostly a rescue center for injured local wildlife, including a few namesake bears). We also saw the remains of a Revolutionary War fort, built to overlook and guard the nearby Hudson River.

Fort remains from the Revolutionary War 

Bear Mountain State Park Lodge

An awesome old carousel

Before leaving the area, we walked on the bridge crossing high above the Hudson River. Seeing the train lines far below following along the river, it was easy to picture people over the last century coming here to take a break from New York City. I’d heard about the Hudson River Valley for years, and seeing its scenic beauty in person made me see one of the reasons why it’s so well known.
 
On the way back to the campsite we took a scenic drive on Seven Lakes Drive—not sure whether we saw them all, but it was lovely anyway. The rest of the day was spent relaxing at our campground, and I enjoyed taking small walks for the people watching as much as being in nature. But it also had a memorable moment as I encountered my first spotted lantern fly while walking on the sidewalk along the swimming area of a lake. Most of it is black, white, and gray, helping it blend in perfectly with the sidewalk--but its bright red hindwings gives it away. Knowing it’s an invasive bug with the potential to damage forests and crops I did my best to stomp on them, but  after spotting the first one it felt like dozens came into view and it became a Sisyphean task. Hopefully they figure out a way to combat them in the coming years.

Beach along the campground's lake—they took the sand grooming very seriously