NY Wildlife Center - June 2009

Tourists on the bridge outside the museum.

The Visiter Center

Some of the exhibits inside the Center.

The littlest hiker!

Tourists overlooking the wetlands on the hiking trail.

"Z" and Dad masquerading as rock climbers!

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The Wildlife Center located in Tupper Lake, NY, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, is an excellent natural history museum, especially for kids. Needless to say it is located in a beautiful area. Take a look at the web site and even though it is off the beaten path, it is well worth a visit.

The highlights for us was the otters, hiking the museum trail (very short and easy) and the two movies: “A Matter of Degrees”, narrated by Sigourney Weaver; a true history of the Adirondack and “The Wild Adirondacks”, a movie of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.

Zola's Queensbury Visit - June 2009

Members of the mutual adoration society!

Such a sophisticated look!

Tea time preparation; a favorite time for Zola & Jenny.

The clowning "Z" Girl!

Zola teaching Jenny Ma Ma how to play Stratego.

Another favorite past-Time: eating fruit.

West Point, New York - June 20, 2009

Statue of Washington on the Parade Grounds.

Reveille Gun

USMA Museum

Location on the Hudson where the barricade was placed.

Actual links of the Chain used in the barricade.

Miss Jenny in front of tank!

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Jenny and I were fortunate to be able to take a trip to the US Military Academy (USMA) and tour this important place. Later in the day, we took a cruise on the Hudson River. Even though it rained most of the day, it was still a great trip.

Everyone who is a historian or just claims to be a historian knows the significance of West Point in the Revolutionary War. General Washington knew that if the British could control the Hudson River they could split New England from the rest if the colonies and just maybe the British would win the war. With the help of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, he established at West Point a fortress that prevented the British from controlling the Hudson.

Just as important, everyone knows the significant of West Point Graduates to our military, past and present, and some great men who made significant contributions to our country, including two Presidents: Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. USMA Graduates also played an important role in the Civil War; I’m told of the 60 or so major battles in the Civil War, 55 of them had West Point Graduates as the commanding officer on both sides.

Chincoteague Island , Eastern Shore, Virginia

Assateague Light House - Built in 1866=1867

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On our return trip to Queensbury from our Family Reunion in New Bern, NC we decided to make a side trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Anything instead of fighting the traffic to get around Washington, DC. , even though we have a stopover place at my brother Billie and his wife Patsy’s house in Federicksburg, Virginia; still fighting DC traffic isn’t a lot of fun. Sorry Billie!

Anyway my fraternity brother, Warren Romaine, told Jenny about Chincoteague Island at our biennial HPU Theta Chi gathering in Cape May, NJ last year, so she wanted to go there.

We only spent one night there so I can’t be an expert, but I really did like the Island: except for the mosquitoes! It is a great place to see wildlife and hike at the National Wildlife Refuge Park. Of course it is famous for the wild ponies on the Island and nice beaches. And, the seafood is really good. We ate at the Village Restaurant just outside the Park and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Gettsyburg National Military Park - June 2009

Historic homes in Gettysburg

Gettysburg Hotel built in 1794 and was used by President Eisenhower's staff when he was visiting his summer home in Gettysburg.

Town clock with the David Wills house in the background. The home were President Lincoln stayed the night before he delivered the Gettysburg's Address.

The beginning of Pickett's Charge

The High Water Mark of "Pickett's Charge"

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On the way to our family reunion in New Bern, we stopover for a couple of days in Gettysburg, primarily to visit the National Military Park. I had been there many, many years ago, but with the recent opening of the new visitor Center in 2008, this visit was well worth the effort. It is one of the best historical museum I have ever visited and I’ve visited a few.

If you are going, plan to have at least one full day for the Park. There are tours that will take you around the Park, but you can do it just as well in your car at your speed; you can stop and walk around all of the battle sites whereas the bus will only stop at some of the sites.

First step is seeing the film "A New Birth of Freedom" narrated by Morgan Freeman, and to view the Gettysburg Cyclorama with related program. This painting, entitled “Pickett’s Charge”, is about 370 ft by 42 ft and is just unbelievable. The Park spent about $15 million renovating the painting after they purchased it in early 1900’s. For more information go to the Nation Park Web Site.

Historic of Gettysburg is also worth a visit and the best way see the town is to park your car and walk.

The Gettysburg National Military is a sacred site in that there were around 51.000 casualties. The worst of any American battle. Every American should visit this site.

Final note: a really good place to eat is at the Dobbin House Tavern, which dates back to 1776 and is the oldest building in Gettysbury.

Family Reunion - June 2009 - New Bern NC

Brothers & Sisters

New Bern Riverfront Hotel

Let the race begin!

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As I have indicated previously, our family has been getting together for the past twelve years. This year about forty of the family got together at the New Bern Riverfront Hotel to share lots of stories, laughter and of course eating. It is always great to see anyone since we normally only see most of the family once a year. And it goes without saying the kids can really change in one year. Maybe we should figure out how to do it twice a year!

The highlight of the reunion is the Saturday night dinner and silent auction which of course is anything but silent! Even the part that is supposed to be silent isn’t and then all of the “hot” items go to a live auction. Now that is when the fun begins! Some of the kids didn’t know what a live auction was last year, but now they hold their own with their parents money!

I can’t begin to say what my extended family means to me but here is a thought about family that fits us nicely; I don’t know the author, but as I read it, maybe it is a quote that my sister Joan used several years ago when she planned the reunion!

Our family is a circle of strength and love…
With every birth and every union the circle grows…
Every joy shared adds more love…
Every crisis faced together
makes the circle grow stronger.