I have a much greater appreciation of Cody’s travel blog. It is hard to make this funny or interesting, but I wanted to chronicle our EAST COAST trip! It was like going to Europe except that it was in the U.S. We loved New England. It was a first for me and I was just fascinated with the history and the look of the small towns.
We travelled by Amtrak from D.C. and our first stop was Suzy Joseloff, now Suzy Joseloff Stark as Suzy married her college sweetheart, Jeff. He is definitely a keeper! We took the train to Connecticut and got off at New Haven,home of Yale University. There were Suzy and Jeff. We had never met Jeff and had not seen Suzy for close to 25 years. Suzy was a fantastic preschool teacher and we felt so lucky that Coral was in her class. She was so warm and generous and in that respect had not changed one bit! All our kids have grown up and there were years and years to catch up on! Yale looks like it belongs in England. It did feel very cold and grey. (I am definitely a Harvard girl!) We walked around, went to the art museum, met the director of the museum and were generally impressed! Here are some Yale photos!
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We drove home to Suzy and Jeff’s along the river and really began to get the feel of small New England towns. The next day was rainy. We had plans to do something or other but the rain put a damper on that! Jeff asked if we would like to go to Rhode Island for the day! Rhode Island! I had never been but could not believe we could go for the day. (I have lived in Hawaii too long!) We continued our journey driving through Mystic (Mystic Pizza) and to Rhode Island where we went to Newport, home of the Gilded Age and mansion after mansion (or cottages as the wealthy called them) We toured Cornelius Vanderbilt’s mansion, The Breakers! It makes Pittock Mansion look mighty small.
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That night we reminisced about our kids and ASIJ. Here are a few photos:
That was a few years back! Suzy was magical. We connected on so many levels – walking, running, love of education, our own children and fiber arts. Her house was filled with her projects and I was in awe of her. She is a knitter, spinner, weaver extraordinaire! She took me to the biggest yarn shop I have ever seen! She and Jeff were amazing hosts giving us a real taste of New England! Now I only have to go to Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire!
As if going to Rhode Island for the day wasn’t enough, the next day we drove to Massachusetts! Highlights were Berkshire Mass. with its Norman Rockwell Museum. He was truly amazing and I
have posted some of my favorite paintings.
Back on the train and next stop is New Rochelle, New York and waiting for us at the train station is Anne Santa! We were so lucky as we were able to stay at their old condo in Yonkers. I had no idea that you could live like that in New York. You could see New York City off in the distance and for us that was just where we wanted NYC to be! Right around the corner was the twenty
mile Aqueduct Trail! This was a far cry from Coral’s life in New York! Now we know how Anne and John survived six years there!
We all vetoed going into the city and instead drove up the Hudson River Valley. Richard and I will choose nature every time! We went to Storm King, a large outdoor sculptural garden with views and mountains all around. We saw works by Maya Linn and Andy Goldsworthy! On the way back we went got to see West Point where everyone looked like they were running a triathlon! We stopped in another beautiful town on the Hudson, Cold Springs with views of the river and again NYC off in the distance! Perfect place for it!
Again a wonderful visit. John and Anne made us feel so welcome. We have so much in common and it was just a wonderful weekend getting a glimpse into their New York life. No matter how good, the pull of the Northwest was strong for them and as I write this they have returned to Portland.
Next stop Boston and I have to thank April from the bottom of my heart for getting us such an amazing price at the Sheraton Boston. And on top of that not only was our price amazing but when we checked in we were told that there was a surprise awaiting us. When I asked what it was was told, “You’ll see!” We went up to our room and found it a huge corner room with views all around of Boston! Wow! Richard and I spent three very full days exploring Boston and when I say exploring I mean it! We never took any transportation and literally walked miles each day. We did the entire Freedom trail and did not miss a single sight. I wish I would have missed the submarine where I banged my head and had a bump for months as a souvenir! Here is a quick summary of the sights:
Boston Common, Mass State House, Park st. Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Site of the first Public School, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill monument (we climbed to the top).
We walked up and down amazing streets full of history! We ate at a few very famous old restaurants Legal’s and the Union Oyster Bar, home of the first waitress and the oldest restaurant in the U.S and where JFK liked to eat! We found Cheers (who cares?) and also saw the Make Way for Ducklings statues. We walked and ran along the Charles River Esplanade. And a favorite was touring Harvard! Harvard hardly has only 6000 undergraduates. It is amazing anyone can get in there. I did not even understand the major that our guide was studying!
One last stop back to see Cody and spend the weekend with Cody and Carolyn. I also got to see wonderful Sarah Woodard. One of my favorite times there was hiking in Rock Creek Park on Mother’s Day! It was perfect!
Okay I am caught up on travel just in time for our next trip back to the Northwest. I also want to write about all our visitors and our life here! More to come.
And just for good measure:
franyp13 