Sightseeing in Salem - Followed by a Rough Night with My Warriors.

June 11, 2014 – Day 15

Providence/Salem/Gloucester/Peabody

2 hours (total)/123 miles

Salem was our first stop today, in what was supposed to be a mixed bag of sightseeing.  Salem was a surprise for me.  I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting, but the cute seaside town with quaint red brick building and bright pretty flowers was a pleasant surprise.  Perhaps I was expecting something more Gothic (although, every other business had the word “witch” in their name).  I’d originally planned to do the Witch Walk, which is an hour and a half walking tour of historic Salem.  Trip Advisor gave it great reviews, but it didn’t start till 3p.m. and we arrived in Salem shortly after noon.  We had places to see, so I settled for the Witch Museum.  That was a mistake, because it was so cheesy that we snuck out of the museum with two college girls half-way through the tour.

 Entering the Witch Museum.

Aud & I , with Salem Harbor in the background.

After a fantastic lunch at the Harborview Hotel, we headed over to the House of Seven Gables, which was the subject of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s (a Salem Native) novel of a similar name.  You may recall that he also wrote The Scarlet Letter, although there was strangely no mention of this during the tour.  The Seven Gables house has a secret staircase that the children just loved (but I found to be a bit creepy).  We also saw the home where Hawthorne was born, but we learned very little about him.  Disappointing.

I intended to take the kids to Marblehead for a walk on the beach, but by the time we were done in Salem it was after 4 and the little streets were congested with traffic.  I was anxious and wanted to get checked into our hotel, before we headed up to Gloucester (where we were going to eat dinner).

After checking in, we did indeed get stuck in north bound traffic, which was not fun, because everyone was tired and hungry.  Once we got to the beach in Gloucester, we merely took pictures, because there wasn’t much there – no cool restaurants on the water.  We headed back to Peabody.

In Gloucester.

Every road trip, there’s a day when I seriously question why I do this and today was that day.  The fighting and the whining and the traffic.  And the occasional excitement that gets dashed when reality doesn't meet our expectations.  I’m also feeling my age on this trip.  The first couple years the kids couldn’t keep up with momma and that was fine by me.  Last year was different, because we were all grieving and no one really knew how to act and honestly – I moved through the trip in a haze.  This year they’re the ones bubbling over with excess energy and I feel like I’m done at the end of each day.  Done.  And they are much more opinionated than in years past and complain a lot.  We’re in the same car all day and the same hotel room at night and my boys keep peeing on the toilet seat and they are gross. Ugh...

My back-up arrives tomorrow and the timing could not be better!

Reunion with a Sibling in Providence

June 10, 2014 – Day 14

Amherst, MA/Providence RI

113 miles/1 hour 45 minutes

Okay, we are having trouble waking up in the morning!  All of us.  I don’t understand it.  Except for Hunter, we’re all early-risers, but this was another 9a.m. morning.  And we didn’t hit the road until 11!!!!  Wha-wha?

It was an easy drive to Providence, but it was a bummer because it was cloudy and grey – and chilly with the wind.  We got to the Capitol, with little problem and did a quick self-guided tour.  There was a candidate for Governor, Allan Fung, who was having a press conference right inside the building, under the dome.  There weren’t many people there, so I imagine that’s not good for a candidate – and then in blows the Smith Storm.  We’re not quiet or discreet – especially under a dome.  Bear was very excited jumping up and down making his typical noises and the cameraman glared at us.  We moved quickly!

It was ok, because we were meeting up with an old friend/neighbor from Georgia.  Rose and I were room moms together the year Hunter was in kindergarten.  Her daughter, Anna, used to hang out with Hunter.  It was cute.  Unfortunately, Anna was in school, but Rose made the drive in to the city for a visit.  And she was a trooper, tagging along with us to tour the Brown campus, where my mom went to college.

The kids with Rose.

After Rose left, the kids and eye found our hotel – which was not easy (a long, boring & frustrating story).  I took the kids to dinner and then we met up with my sister Kendall and her family.  Most of you know that I didn’t learn that Kendall was my sister until I was thirty.  Perhaps someday I will blog about it, but suffice it to say – it’s a long story.  I haven’t seen her for a couple years, so it was nice to have some wine and catch up.  Her daughter is Audrey’s age and they got along fabulously.  Her husband joined us and he is so nice, I loved getting to know him.  The boys joined us for a little while, but I sent them to the room after Bear got bored.  Kendall, Jim and I ended up closing down the Courtyard Bar – one night is not enough to catch up!  

Two Days to Catch-up and Re-charge in Amherst!

Day 12 - June 8, 2014

Albany, NY – Amherst, MA

116 miles/2 hours

It was tough saying goodbye to Rich this morning.  One night is not enough, it’s more of a tease.  We all miss him, but of course he has to work – I get it, but I don’t like it.

The kids and I visited the NY capital, which is pretty cool and there’s a Teddy Roosevelt-on-a-horse statue out front that the kids loved (thanks Night at the Museum).  Then we crossed the border to my home state of Massachusetts.  Our first stop with the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.  I’ve never explored western Mass and it’s gorgeous.  Stockbridge looks like Mayberry – I love it.

The museum was pretty cool, but small and definitely not worth the high admission price.  We were there for barely a half hour.  I’d planned to visit the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, but changed my mind while enroute to our hotel.  Honestly, since Pittsburgh we’ve been full steam ahead and I’m tired.  I need to do laundry, pay bills and catch up on some reading and writing.  Boring stuff, but I think we all wanted the breather.  I couldn’t have picked a more perfect place for our pit-stop – Amherst is proving to be a cool little town with very nice people! 

We had a quiet dinner (at Chili’s) and then ice-cream at Friendly’sJ  As of now, I have no plans for tomorrow.  Can you believe it?  We’ll see where the wind blows us!

Day 13 – June 9, 2013

Amherst, MA

Remember when I said we were tired?  I wasn’t kidding.  We all slept until 9:00 a.m.  I don’t think that’s ever happened on the road.  I snuck down to the gym for a quick cardio work-out (finally – I’ve been a sloth) and then the kids met me in the restaurant for breakfast.  I think this is the last remaining Courtyard with the old-school buffet/omelet station.

After breakfast I did SEVEN loads of laundry, finished my book and wrote or finalized six blog posts (3 trip logs, a book review, a LKM post and something for the Huffington Post).  I still need to pay bills and write thank you notes, but the kids were patient for most of the morning and they deserved some lunch.

We had fast food (I didn’t say they deserved a fancy lunch) and then headed up to Deerfield MA, to visit the Yankee Candle Factory Village, home of the original Yankee Candle Store.  I was pleased to confirm the Yankee Candles are still made Massachusetts! 

We were going to the Eric Carle Museum when it started to pour.  The weather suited our laziness and I abandoned my plans once again.  We stocked up on snacks at Whole Foods and got momma some dinner.  The plan is to order pizza for the kids and watch a movie in the room.  Nice easy day.  We’re recharged and ready to head on down the road tomorrow.

Roosevelts and Bathroom Humor

Day 11 – June 7, 2014

Poughkeepsie, NY – Albany, NY

85 miles/1.5 hours

We went back to Hyde Park first thing in the morning, to discover and learn all things Roosevelt.  Our first stop was Val Kill, the home of Eleanor Roosevelt.  It’s a surprisingly modest dwelling, but charming just the same.  It’s the only National Historical Site in the country that’s dedicated to a first lady.  It took a while for this to happen, but eventually the National Park Service (NPS) agreed to the designation, based on all the historical figures who passed through Eleanor’s home over the years.  Franklin built the cottage for her as a refuge from his mother, who lived with them in the family estate, Spring Wood.  Both houses were on the huge family estate (which has been parceled off over the years).  She chose to live at Val Kill after FDR died, because she felt more at home there than at Spring Wood – and she’d also signed over the family house to the National Park Service, in accordance to FDR’s wishes.

The kids in front of Val Kill.

After Val Kill we toured Spring Wood.   The home is located on the Hudson River and is gorgeous and grand, yet surprisingly homey once you’re inside.  FDR was born in the home and both he and Eleanor are buried on the property.  His presidential library, which was the first one, is located on the estate.  The library is also the only one to have been open while a president was still in office.  He used the library as his official office whenever he was at Spring Wood.

Spring Wood

View of the Hudson Valley from Spring Wood.

View of the home from the back.

Gravesite

I love presidential libraries, because I learn so much more than I ever did in American History.  The kids were surprisingly good for me and I was stopped a few times by people who told me how impressed they were with my children’s behavior.  Really?  They should have been at the pool last night!

We were done by 2 p.m. and honestly, even I was Roosevelt-ed-out.  We headed north to Albany and Dad.  The kids were so excited to see him (as was IJ).  He swam with them in the pool and then it was dinner time.

Rich found a “steak-house” on-line that was across the river.  As soon as we pulled up, I knew we were in trouble.   Always go with your gut instinct!  Although this time, I did not.  The venue was drab, the food was bad and the service was mediocre.  But I must tell you, I had the best and biggest laugh I’ve had in weeks – the kind that produces tears and stomach cramps.  I don’t know if I can adequately convey the comedy of the night – but I’m going to try.

Cammy has been particularly funny this trip, coming up with unexpectedly witty one liners.  Well, he had to go to the bathroom “real bad” and was jumping up and down as he declared his need.  Rich had already been to the bathroom with the twins and Uncle Mark was certainly not going to do it. We could see the men’s room (a single person room) and he ran off to do his business.  He was back in two minutes with news.  He announced in his cute little by voice, which is a bit too loud at times (this being one), that the bathroom was full of toilet water and pee. 

Excuse me? 

“In the toilet, right?”  I asked. 

“No!  There’s toilet water and pee all over the floor and I had to stand in it, to use the bathroom!” 

He was in flip flops.  I wish you could have seen Rich’s face!  Adding to the scene were the curious stares of the other patrons who were eavesdropping.  Believe me, everyone heard what was going on.  I lost it - laughing.  I had to cover my face, because Rich was so appalled and mortified.  Welcome to life on the road Buddy.

We tried to shush Cammy and inquired if he was the one who caused the overflow. 

He loudly stated, “No!  I went in there and there was toilet water and pee – everywhere!”

I laughed harder, because now Uncle Mark had his mouth open, Rich was squirming and Hunter and Audrey were starting to laugh.  Check please!  Camden manage to tell everyone who walked by what happened – and then when he saw a grumpy man walk by with a mop he said, “I guess he’s going to clean up the toilet water and pee!”

Rich threw me his credit card as I dissolved into more uncontrollable giggles and then he took the kids outside.  Daddy’s leaving o a jet plane tomorrow…

Vanderbilts on the Hudson

Day 10 –June 6, 2014

Philadelphia, PA – Poughkeepsie, NY

187 miles – 2 1/3 hours

Although I love a free breakfast when we’re on the road, it’s hard to watch the kids load up on carbs and sugar – whipped cream and chocolate chip covered waffle anyone?  Gross. 

We drove through Trenton on our way north, so we could check off yet another capitol.  We seriously almost just did a drive-by.  What a dump that city is – although the capitol building was impressive.  I managed to persuade the kids to at least walk in, but honestly, that’s all we did.  I just took a quick picture and got out of Dodge.

Then we drove by Princeton University, because I was curious to see the campus.  It’s beautiful.  The children however, were not impressed, so we kept on moving.

We got to our hotel in Poughkeepsie by 2:00 p.m., but they had a wedding in-house and our room wasn’t ready.  Since I’d scheduled four places to visit in Hyde Park (10 minutes north) tomorrow, I decided to knock one of them out today, so we could get to Albany (and see Daddy) quicker.

We toured the Vanderbilt Mansion, which was the home of Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt.   The house is of course amazing, although it is considerably smaller than the Biltmore.  Apparently this branch of the Vanderbilt family was rather “conservative.”  Audrey seemed to really enjoy the tour and spent most of it trying to impress our guide with her questions.  He was very good natured about it, and she never left his side. 

In the parking lot after the tour, we were approached by a gentlemen who’s from our town in Georgia.  He saw the dealer logo on my car and left a note on the dashboard.  It was a little strange, but I wasn’t scared.  I think he was just an elderly gentleman who wanted to connect with someone from back home.  He retired to Hyde Park, which is peculiar, because I thought everyone headed south for that milestone.

After checking in, we had dinner at the Coyote Grill – I kid you not.  Dinner was good.  Camden was particularly tickled, because his hot dog turned out to be a foot long.  He was so excited!  Oh, to be young and so easily impressed once again.  After dinner we ventured out to the local Barnes and Noble, which is huge.  I think it was the biggest one I’ve ever been.  We killed an hour there before retiring to the hotel pool.  That didn’t last long, as Hunter and Audrey got into a huge fight that produced some shocked looks on the faces of two mothers who were in the pool with their young ones.  Just wait ladies – it’s coming.  They won’t always be so little, sweet and compliant.

The Vanderbilt Mansion on the Hudson.

New Jersey State Capitol Building.

Louise Vanderbilt's bedroom - can you imagine?

A foot long!