MARTHA'S VINEYARD

The only way to get to Martha's Vineyard is by boat or small plane. If you take your car across it will cost you $67.50 . You can take a bike or walk on for $18.00 per person. The parking is $15.00 for the day. They get you coming and going.


We arrived in Martha's Vineyard, and on each side of the street were crowded with every kind of shop you can imagine. A typical tourist resort. There are restaurants serving every thing you could possible want to eat. We only wanted seafood, and we got it. No complaints about the seafood. Below are pictures taken from the Ferry.

A beautiful park surrounded by gorgeous homes. Before we left right in front of the ferry boat ramp was an osprey nest with a osprey in it.



Tomorrow, we will visit John's home town, Providence RI. We will visit his old home, school, cemetery and places from his childhood memories. The last time he visited his home town was over 12 years.

PROVINCETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS

The trip to Provincetown took about 1 hr drive. The weather was in low 80's, what a beautiful day to tour. This is the farest point of Cape Cod. The Pilgrims arrived in 1620 and stayed briefly before sailing across the bay to Plymouth.

The roundabouts here are interesting. This one had a scrupled sign of CAPE COD done in boxwoods.


The picture below is the Pilgrim Monument. It was built in 1910. It stands 253 feet high. This is the tallest granite structure in the United States.





Be sure and enlarge the picture below to read about the Mayflower Colony.




As we were leaving the pier, a boat pulls up with lobster and shrimp. We watched as he transfers to a pickup that takes them to his restaurant. Now that is FRESH...


This bar and grill caught my eye.


Tomorrow Martha's Vineyard.

Plymouth Rock, Massechuttes

Our drive took about 50 minuets to reach Plymouth Rock. We met our neighbors from Texas. This monument is the first thing you see when heading down to see the rock.



The Indian chief, Massasoit, stands watch over the Atlantic Ocean. His tribe was the first to see the White man. Many trades were made in order to try to communicate.

The traditional site of the disembarkation of William Bradford was here on Plimoth (no I did not misspell it. That was the English way of saying it). The Mayflower Pilgrims founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. Today only 1/3 of the rock still remains. The original rock was estimated to weigh over 22,000 Lbs. There are pieces in the Smithsonian, The Church of the Pilgrims , then in 1870's pieces were sold and tourists chipped small pieces to take away as souvenirs. No pieces have been removed since 1880. This is the second monument that has covered the rock. In 1860 a pavilion was built over the rock, not being inclosed, it could not keep those who wanted to chip away its size. In 1920 a bigger and better monument was erected over the site of the rock and stands today. You have to look over a wall in order to see the rock about 6 feet down, and as you can see in the picture no entry or exit.





We were here on the 4Th of July and the crowds were not heavy. They really go out for the 4Th. The town and all homes are decorated, flags everywhere.First picture is of our neighbors, Ken and Carol standing in front of the replica of the Mayflower. The water was so calm, and sometimes a nice breeze kept us bearable in 80 degree heat with humidity of 75%.

We stopped to eat lunch and the big thing here is to eat a lobster roll. A quarter lb. lobster meat with their own sauce in a toasted hot dog bun. You can get a small one for only $10.95 or the bigger one for$ 18.95. No matter the cost, it is great and delicious.



We did not stay for the fire works as we had a good drive to get back and these roads are 2 lanes of winding roads. We got home in time to watch on TV the fire works.

THE VANDERBILTS OF HYDE PARK

The drive was 15 Min's from the FDR home. This was one of many of the Vanderbilt's Mansions. Frederick William Vanderbilt was the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt also known as The Commodore. He was also the son of William Henry Vanderbilt. (It pays to be a child of wealth.) This mansion was used only when they wanted to get away from the City. No more than 9 couples could stay at a time in the mansion, but the guest house would accommodate 4 more couples. This was, as they say, a summer place. There were no children from the marriage so a favorite niece, Margaret Van Allen inherited the estate when Frederick died. Margaret visited FDR and told him she wanted to keep the place as it was, a memorial to Uncle Fred and a national monument. In 1940, 211 acres were donated to the Federal Government.
The Mansion and it contents remain unchanged from the time the Vanderbilts lived there.

Again no pictures inside were allowed. I can tell you it was a majestic home, decorated in European style, lots of marble and beautiful wood.

When Cornelius was renovating the mansion, he saw a lot of construction across the river. He went over and wanted to see what was being built. He was told a Monastery. That pleased him so much he gave them 4 million dollars to make sure it looked good.


We only had time to drive through the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) grounds and take a couple of pictures. Some of the best Chef's have graduated from this school and have become famous.


Tomorrow we leave for Cape Cod where we plan to stay for 12 days. We have an appointment to have our awning fixed and an insurance adjuster will come look at our car. We will also meet up with our Neighbors across the street from us in Texas and spend the 4Th of July with them.

FDR HOME HYDE PARK, NEW YORK

The drive to Hyde Park was an experience in it's self. The scenery was great, the roads were challenging as you can see with the signs below. Thank God we were in the car and not with the RV. The down slope was steep and long.


We crossed the FDR Bridge over the Hudson River.
This road ran from the street to the home where FDR would drag his body on crutches each day the length of the road to strengthen his upper body.
No camera's allowed inside, bummer.
The new Museum of FDR.

John and I realised FDR was president when John was born in 1932 and when I was born in 1944.

The two graves are of FDR and Eleanor. The flag shows FDR's grave.