Category: Travel

Posts about my Chapter 5 travel adventures

Many thanks to Dennis, Vanessa, and Anna for hosting me in Princeton!

This morning, I left their cool town and drove to Longwood Gardens, former home of DuPont and GM leader Pierre du Pont. Beautiful gardens, fountains, trees, flowers!!!
On my way to my campground, I dodged several buggies driven by Amish. I guess I’m not in Kansas anymore!
The many colors of autumn.

 

Rose garden.

 

Natural frame in the Conservatory.

 

Amazing chrysanthemums!

 

Another gorgeous chrysanthemum.

 

In front of the orchid wall.

 

Italian garden.

 

Tough to pass when there are no shoulders, a solid double line, and a hill.

Today’s ultra-busy day started with a Dutch Baby Pancake for breakfast, made by chef Dennis. With this nourishment, Dennis, Anna, and I embarked on our tour of Princeton. So little time, so many places to see!
Note: I was born in New Jersey! My parents lived in Philadelphia, but my mom’s doctor had privileges at the hospital across the river in Camden!
What I learned:
1. The Battle of Princeton turned the Revolutionary War around with Washington outsmarting the British by firing cannons from one direction and ambushing the enemy soldiers from the other direction.
2. The Clarke House where the Battle of Princeton occurred, on January 3, 1777, now holds tours to share the story of General Hugh Mercer (did you know triangular bayonet wounds can not be sewn up?) and Dr. Benjamin Rush (a signer of the Declaration of Independence).
3. Chartered in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Nassau Hall, Princeton’s first building, sustained a cannon attack in the Revolutionary War. In 1783, the building served as the nation’s capitol, housing the Continental Congress from June to November. It was in Nassau Hall that the news of the peace treaty with Great Britain was received.
4. The eating clubs at Princeton University are private institutions resembling both dining halls and social houses. Each eating club occupies a large mansion, all but one on Prospect Avenue.
5. Construction on Palmer Square began in 1929 and included demolishing a historic African-American neighborhood. The Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, where many African American residents were relocated by the Palmer Square project, was officially designated as Princeton’s 20th Historic District in 2016.
6. John Witherspoon (1723-1794), Princeton’s sixth president and founding father of the United States, had a complex relationship to slavery. Though he advocated revolutionary ideals of liberty and personally tutored several free Africans and African Americans in Princeton, he himself owned slaves and both lectured and voted against the abolition of slavery in New Jersey. (https://slavery.princeton.edu/stories/john-witherspoon)
7. Aaron Burr, infamous for killing Alexander Hamilton, lies buried in the Princeton Cemetery.
I think this is enough history for one day!
Dennis making a Dutch Baby Pancake!

 

The Clarke House where a Quaker family tended both American and British wounded during the Battle of Princeton.

 

Riding the Princeton Tiger!

 

Nassau Hall with a cannon marker.

 

Fountain in the reflecting pool.

 

Now for a series of natural frame photos!

 

 

 

 

 

“In place of numerous old wooden houses and tenements which are not only unsightly but which also form a great fire hazard, there will be two large apartment houses of the ‘garden’ type…Palmer Square would re-route all commercial traffic towards a central town square.” http://www.princetonmagazine.com/palmer-square-a-look-back

 

Ice cream from the Bent Spoon.

 

Hamilton and Burr!

There’s something about spending time with long time friends that feeds my soul. The history, the authenticity, the stories… I’ve hung out with so many long time (and newer!) friends this trip – and today was no different.
I woke up relatively early – for me! – and journeyed from NYC to Plainview, where Mindy and Ralph greeted me with coffee and conversation. They took great care of my Addie!
Next, I drove to 40 year friend Dennis‘ house, where I enjoyed chatting with Dennis, his wonderful wife Vanessa, and their terrific daughter Anna. Pizza, martinis, and a campfire – what more could a person want?!
I look forward to exploring Princeton tomorrow with Dennis and Anna while Vanessa refines her Girl Scout leader first aid and CPR skills.
Addie! I missed you!

 

Dennis, Vanessa, and Anna.

Wowza! With month #3 of this AMAZING adventure in the books, I’d like to share a few of my reflections:
Weather: September’s weather has been so much better than August’s weather!!! It was weird and amazing – as soon as the calendar changed from August 31 to September 1, the heat and humidity subsided. Yayyyy!!!!!!
Friends: This month’s treat has been spending time with friends and family. Catching up with these wonderful people, in of course a covid-safe manner, highlights the power of relationships. Many thanks and much love to all of you who have shared time with me – this month and every other month of my adventure.
Re-reading travel log: Oh my! I sure have covered a lot of territory, had many adventures, and seen a plethora of sights! When relaxing (yes, I do relax now and then!), I will sometimes go to my travel log and search for a random date. Up pops a previous adventure, sparking memories, smiles, and reflection. My travel log presents a great opportunity for me to consider at day’s end what occurred that day and, especially now that so much time has passed, reflect on past escapades.
Re-entry: Now that I’ve completed three months of my five month adventure, my mind slowly turns to life after this trip. When I retired in December 2020, I changed my focus from my students to Addie and my journey. Preparing for this adventure encompassed the first half of the year; the road trip itself comprises most of the second half of the year. I know that re-entry will be an adventure in itself! What will I do with all that space in my 1100 square foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo?! What will I do with Addie? Where will I travel next? What will I do with my time? So many questions!!!
Michigan

 

Ontario (Canadian Falls)

 

New York (Niagara Falls)

 

Vermont

 

New Hampshire

 

Maine

 

Massachusetts

 

Rhode Island

 

New York

 

With Concha and Fred (Michigan)

 

With Joel (Maine)

 

With Noni (Massachusetts)

 

With Susie and Steve (Rhode Island)

 

With Mindy and Ralph (New York)

 

With Mia (New York)

 

With Emily (New York)

 

With Lissie (New York)

 

With Eric and Lisa (New York)

For my final full day in NYC, I wandered down to the High Line and ventured off to Little Island. Although I’ve explored the High Line a few times during previous visits, Little Island recently opened. Little Island, developed by Barry Diller at a cost of $260 million, with an amphitheater and dramatic views, opened earlier this year on Hudson River Park.
This evening, I met my “fifth” brother Eric and his fabulous wife Lisa for a delicious dinner, full of laughter and conversation. Eric’s mom Toby and my mom were best friends for most of their lives. They became friends in Brooklyn when they were 3 and 4 years old. Over time, they lost touch until Eric, Toby, and Eric’s father Hal moved to California. One night when I was 16, Toby called my mom, and they were inseparable friends for the next 30+ years.
A final NY surprise: while walking home by Central Park, I saw Law & Order SVU taping!
A few views of the High Line…

 

High Line

 

High Line

 

High Line

 

High Line

 

Little Island

 

Little Island

 

Little Island

 

With Eric and Lisa.

 

Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay

Nearly every time I’m in NYC, I go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and every time I go there, I see new, captivating, and thought-provoking artwork. Today’s adventure to the Met met (haha!) my expectations. 🙂 Lissie and I started our Met excursion on the Roof Garden where I savored the cityscape and viewed the whimsical blue Big Bird of Alex Da Corte’s As Long as the Sun Lasts exhibit.
We spent the most time pondering The New Woman Behind the Camera. “Featuring more than 120 photographers from over 20 countries, this groundbreaking exhibition explores the work of the diverse ‘new’ women who embraced photography as a mode of professional and artistic expression from the 1920s through the 1950s.” One photograph, which I didn’t capture with my camera, looked into the eyes of an African-American woman whose husband had just been lynched. Her look is now seared into my memory.
We wandered around the museum, finding a waterfall (duh!), a fountain, sculptures, paintings, etc. The Robert Lehman Collection motivated me to walk to Lehman’s former home on 54th Street, now a condominium.
The Met: wonderful. Lunch: yummy. Time with Lissie: MARVELOUS!

https://www.metmuseum.org

Coffee and Central Park fountain on my way to the Met.

 

With Lissie.

 

“Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, As Long as the Sun Lasts calls for a moment to pause, to reflect, to be ‘blue,’ but ultimately it is a statement of belief in the potential of transformation.” “Growing up in Venezuela, the artist watched the Brazilian version of Sesame Street in which Big Bird’s counterpart, Garibaldi, was blue.”

 

Only a small piece of an engaging mural.

 

Waterfall!

 

Another waterfall! The photo of the waterfall on the left is “tattooed” onto the character on the right.

 

The Crossroads: Mayan (left) and Constantine (right) sculptures showcase piety and power.

 

Robert Lehman’s former townhouse.

I can’t believe I woke up at Mia and Eileen’s house this morning, strolled Central Park most of the day, and ended the evening with my former student and fellow RV enthusiast

Emily and her husband John at the bar on the roof of the Ink 48 Hotel!

I am thrilled to explore the “new” NYC. Why do I say “new?” It’s different than when I was here BC (Before Covid) only two years ago. Yes, everyone wears a mask, generally covering both nose and mouth indoors and handy to immediately pull up if needed when walking around outdoors. Yes, there’s a lot of activity with people stepping all over the sidewalks. Yes, NY possesses an energy felt in only the big cities I’ve visited. However, there’s a hesitation in people’s eyes, a warning from friends about walking at night or taking the subway, a consciousness that “things are different” now. One example: I’m used to meandering the streets of NYC at all hours with little concern for the time. Now, I’m more…aware…of walking around after dark, especially several hours after sunset. I remember NYC in the 1980s and the fear I felt wandering the streets. I don’t feel that same fear, however, I feel a certain reluctance. I love NY! I so loved walking around Central Park during the day! Nevertheless, I plan on being more cautious about walking around, especially solo, at night.
Central Park can feel like a forest!

 

Walking around Central Park with my mask at the ready. Intriguingly, disposable masks, like this one, are more prevalent than fabric face coverings.

 

The reservoir in Central Park.

 

More Central Park.

 

Statue of Fredrick Douglas.
In Central Park, signs explore the history of Seneca Village, a community of predominantly African Americans that existed in the area before the city created the park.
https://elasticbeanstalk-us-east-1-484477975240.s3.amazon…

 

Sunset from The Ink 48 Hotel rooftop.

 

With Emily and John.

 

John took this magnificent panorama photo of the nighttime skyline…

 

…and a terrific photo of Emily and me.

A wonderful busy fun exciting beautiful and terrific day in two acts:
Act 2: The morning started with Mia and me walking at Rockwood Hall at Sleepy Hollow overlooking the Hudson River. In addition to the New York Botanical Garden, Mia and I had fun at the Bronx Zoo, the first time I’ve been to this zoo. A special treat: today is Stephen’s, Eileen‘s husband’s, birthday, so of course we had to celebrate with ice cream cake!
Rockwood Hall at Sleepy Hollow overlooking the Hudson River.

 

Entrance to the Bronx Zoo.

 

Peacock.

 

Giraffe.

 

Monkeys.

 

Anteater.

 

Snow Leopard.

 

Red Panda.

 

Tiger.

 

Rhino.

 

With Eileen.

 

With Miranda.

 

Happy birthday, Stephen!

 

A wonderful busy fun exciting beautiful and terrific day in two acts:
Act 1: Miranda, Mia‘s daughter and Eileen‘s granddaughter, earned a competitive internship at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx. At the NYBG, Mia and I enjoyed watching Miranda interact with children, exploring the gardens, and viewing Kusama’s artwork.
“Contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is one of the most popular artists in the world, drawing millions to experience her immersive installations.
Exclusively at NYBG, Kusama reveals her lifelong fascination with the natural world, beginning with her childhood spent in the greenhouses and fields of her family’s seed nursery. Her artistic concepts of obliteration, infinity, and eternity are inspired by her intimate engagement with the colors, patterns, and life cycles of plants and flowers.”

 

 

 

 

With Mia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Started the day with Mindy and Ralph at Sagamore Hill, former family farm of Teddy Roosevelt and now a National Historic Site. After a delicious picnic lunch, Mindy and Ralph, who are graciously babysitting Addie for me, dropped me off at the train station in Hicksville on Long Island.
Two trains and a short walk from Penn Station to Grand Central later, I arrived at my cousin Mia’s house in Pleasantville where I get to spend a couple of wonderful days with Mia, her mom Eileen, her two children, and her stepfather.
Even with Addie taking a break under Mindy and Ralph’s excellent care, the adventure continues! (Sorry, Eileen, I didn’t bring Addie with me!)
Sagamore Hill.

 

With Mindy and Ralph.

 

Sagamore Hill.

 

Teddy Roosevelt’s “little” farmhouse.

 

Sagamore Hill.

 

The beach at Sagamore.

 

With Mindy at Sagamore’s beach.

 

Sagamore beach.

 

Which train station is this?

 

With Mia.

Fantastic day hanging out with three fabulous friends!
Following a mellow morning – laundry, computer puttering, tending to Addie – I headed over to my friend Laurie’s house. Laurie and I met during our year at Hebrew University. It was great to catch up over lunch and walking in Wantagh Park and around Moss Lake.
Returned to Mindy and Ralph’s house to relax before dinner. Mindy, Ralph, and I met at Brandeis, and Mindy and I attended Hebrew University together and, during our Winter Break, traveled to Greece, Yugoslavia, and Romania. Spending time with Mindy and Ralph is always a treat!
Wantagh Park lighthouse.

 

Can you see it? Jones Beach lighthouse!

 

Last night, the torrential rainstorm. Today, cool cloud formations!

 

Homes across the harbor.

 

With Laurie.

 

Kind of a waterfall at Moss Lake.

 

Moss Lake.

 

Mindy and Ralph.

 

I don’t normally post food pics, however, this acorn squash bowl filled with brussel sprouts, almonds, and cranberries and topped with grilled salmon impressed both my vision and taste buds!

 

After dinner while walking to the car, I danced to the music of this fun band.

Started today with yummy breakfast with Susie and Steve and ended it with yummy dinner with Mindy and Ralph! In between, I drove to New London, CT, took the ferry to Orient Point, NY, stopped at the beach on Long Island’s north shore, and drove to Plainview. Catching up with long time friends? FABULOUS!

A bit windy, eh?!

 

View of New London from the ferry.

 

Lighthouse Point, New London, CT.

 

Those clouds are a-coming… Heavy rain movin on in.

 

Orient Point Lighthouse.

 

The ferry has arrived!

 

Gorgeous blue beach water.

 

Curled up on the couch catching up.

Part 3 of 3: Marble House: The Cliff Walk and the Breakers were not enough for Susie and me! We next wandered over to the Marble House, built by yet another Vanderbilt with too much money and not enough to do! Seriously, though, his wife Alva fought for women’s suffrage – after forcing her daughter to marry the Duke of Marlborough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2 of 3: The Breakers: Following our Cliff Walk and nondescript lunch, Steve returned to work (meaning home office with the dogs!) while Susie and I toured the summer “cottage” of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the grandfather of Gloria Vanderbilt, great-grandfather of Anderson Cooper, and great-great-grandfather of Wyatt Cooper.