West Point Military Academy, FDR, & Quilting (Not All Together! HA)

West Point Military Academy. OH boy, it was crazy that nothing I looked up to do around this entire area listed this place! We knew of it but not where it is located. So glad my Uncle Jim mentioned it when we told him where we are staying. The Great Chain was used across the Hudson River to keep the British from going up the Hudson River and splitting the colonies. Each two foot link weighed 114 pounds. The whole chain weighed 65 tons and log rafts were made special to float the chain across 550 yards of the Hudson River. It took 4 days to get the chain across. It was first installed in 1778, removed before the river froze and then put back in the spring.

West Point Military Academy is the oldest continually manned garrison of the US Army. This is where the military equipment was stored. Benedict Arnold engineered his way to be in command here in 1780 and planned to deliver this important site into British hands. https://www.westpoint.edu/about/history-of-west-point

A Speed Bump, Potholes & Dirt, Rondout Valley Campground, Accord, NY 08/24

On the way home (footnote 1) I saw a few short bushy trees that have changed colors to yellows and orange (this was mid-August). That evening we walked around the campground. It has so many speed bumps. Out around, not where the normal asphalt is, there are tent sites. On the dirt road, I kid you not, is a speed bump. Never mind the potholes are everywhere and huge! Made us chuckle and roll our eyes.

Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt, Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, NY 08/24

Another day we went to Hyde Park, New York, to Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. We got there right as it opened. We watched the introduction  video (films all captioned, this place gets an A) and then walked over to the museum. We didn’t tour the inside of the house. The place is huge – we were there 5 hours! One sign told us how Eleanor would frequently give advice and recommendations to FDR. They came up with system to make sure he saw them since he was so busy. She wrote out her ideas/suggestions and put them in a basket next at his bedside. 

Good for Eleanor Roosevelt! She stuck up for Marian Anderson against the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

President FDR was elected for 4 terms. The first election he took every state except New Hampshire and Vermont. After he died, congress passed the Amendment 22 to limit the terms to two.

FDR’s Program, Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, NY 08/24

FDR did a lot as you can see listed in the picture above. We enjoyed this very well done museum and we learned so much. Disappointing that he was unfaithful to his wife and it continued even until just a few days before he died. Kevin and I feel it is good the museum acknowledged this and didn’t try to hide it as other presidential museums do. 

Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Burial, Franklin D Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, NY 08/24

We walked outside and saw where FDR and Mrs are buried. A short walk past the gardens and we saw the house he lived in.

As we left we drove past the Culinary Institute of America. I had wanted to have a tour and eat there. I looked it up a few months ago and most of the places are closed this time of year and nothing was open the day we were there. 

Walkway Over The Hudson, Highland, NY 08/24

We drove across the bridge to get to the west side of the Hudson River and went to Walkway Over The Hudson. This was a railroad bridge connecting Poughkeepsie and Highland, NY. In 1889 it was built as a double track railroad bridge. When it was built, it was the longest bridge in the world. It is 212 ft above the Hudson River and is 1.28 linear miles. It was damaged by fire in 1974 and taken out of service.

Walkway Over The Hudson, Highland, NY 08/24

In 2009 it reopened as a pedestrian walkway as part of the new state park. Every year more than 600,000 people walk across. The views over the water included thick forest short hills right to the water, pleasure boats, and baby mountains (Catskills) you can barely see over the tops of trees.

Where Does The Train Go? HA View From Walkway Over The Hudson, Highland NY 08/24

You also see the bridge which we drove over today. It was a perfect weather day for the walk and we walked the entire bridge length. On the east side there is a 21 story elevator.

I finished the quilt TOP of the flying geese – pinwheels. I like how it turned out but not sure how I want to do the back. I still need to do the back and the binding along the edges. (It is straight, just the “holder” in the photo is a little lopsided, I think! HAHA) Setting it aside for a bit to think about how to finish it.

I looked through my fabric and found a darling kit I think I got in Wisconsin. It is a small table runner with patriotic theme. The pieces were cut out already in the kit. It was fun to make it.

1. “Home” is where we park it. Home is our 2022 Alliance Avenue, 36 ft, 5th wheel.