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.
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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…
