Wednesday, August 4, 2010
From Black Bear Campground, Florida, NY
Oh yeah! Now I remember. The last time I reported we were in Intercourse, Pa. We hung around the area some more on Sunday, the 1st of August, then on Monday we headed out for Florida, NY. The drive was mostly on state roads and we even came across one road on our route that was closed to commercial traffic because of construction. Not being sure if we were classified as commercial, we took a little different route, narrow and curvy, but not much traffic.
We are about 50 miles north of NYC. The campground is highly rated by Good Sam, but it seems a little over-rated to Donna and me. The roads are asphalt (needing repair), the sites are gravel, although ours is quite large and plenty deep and wide. For $45 /night we feel it is overpriced. There is WiFi, most of the time and Cable TV (networks only).
The area is very wooded, although we have a nice open, but shady, spot. And late in the afternoon we have seen a lot of deer.
On Monday we did a little driving around and got a good look at the Hudson River.
We also drove through the town of Newburgh. I didn't take any pictures as that was about the filthiest and dirtiest town we have ever seen. Needless to say we didn't tarry long.
We did drive to a nearby town that is the location of West Point Military Academy. Without invitation or being military, we were denied access to the academy, which we certainly understood. Oh well, didn't hurt to try.
On Tuesday, we drove over to Hyde Park on the Eastern side of the Hudson River. This was the home of Franklin Roosevelt, but just as interesting was a cottage owned by one of the Vanderbilt's. Below is the Gatehouse and gated entry to the 700 acre estate.
Immediately after going through the gate we crossed this beautiful bridge.
Approaching the Visitor's center we got a view of the 'cottage' from directly in front.
We went to the Visitor's Center to get included in a tour of the house. Since a tour had just left for the house we were able to join them at the front of the house where the ranger gave us a little history. With my Golden Age Passport the $8 admission was waived for both of us.
The Ranger was a young man that is a native of Hyde Park and very knowledgeable about the property and house. He told us it was over 50,000 square feet and had over 50 rooms, just a cottage by Vanderbilt standards. This 'cottage' is one of 40 Vanderbilt mansions and is actually the smallest. The Biltmore in Ashville, NC, by comparison, is over 350, 000 square feet and has over 175 rooms.
This is a view of the rear that overlooks the Hudson River and the rail line built by the Vanderbilt's.
Upon the death in 1930 of the Vanderbilt that owned this property, having no children, willed the property along with $5,000,000 to a niece. The niece, with encouragement from Roosevelt donated the property to the National Park Service in 1940.
We also visited the site of the Roosevelt mansion and presidential library. We decided against taking the time for a tour of either but really enjoyed the gift shop and art work in the Visitor's Center.
Today (Wednesday) we hung around the coach most of the morning and then drove over to the Woodbury Outlet Mall a few miles away. This is a huge outlet mall and had a large crowd. Folks were arriving at the mall pulling suitcases in which to carry their purchases.
Donna bought a couple of nice tops at Liz Claiborne's and a couple of purses at the Coach Factory, which was extremely busy. The check-out line was over 30 minutes long.
Back at the coach for a while, we then drove to downtown Florida and visited a local hardware store. This place is one of the best stocked stores I have ever seen. We even found a little 'half-size' propane bottle that we have been looking for.
Tomorrow we plan to take the train into Grand Central Station in NYC. I may even look for a new camera that I have been wanting.
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