Cohoes Falls is the second largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, second only to Niagara Falls. These falls are on the Mohawk River, which flows into the Hudson River.Cohoes FallsClose-up of Cohoes FallsInteresting history at Cohoes Falls described by this plaque. It was here that the Iroquois Confederacy was formed, an alliance between the Mohawk, Oneida, Onandaga, Cuyuga and Seneca Indians nations, the largest Indian alliance in North America.
Central New York Countryside
Central New York countryside.We don’t see too many of these road signs in Virginia!Central New York countryside. Central New York countryside. Central New York countryside. Central New York countryside. After I took the picture above this one, I noticed one of the cows turned her face to look at us.
Cooperstown, New York
The Inn at Cooperstown. There are many large, beautiful Victorian houses all over this small town.Downtown Cooperstown was closed off for their Cooptoberfest festival. This is Main Street. The Baseball Hall of Fame is one block behind me here. This is the famed village flagpole.Cooperstown has one traffic light. This is it.Otsego Lake at Cooperstown, New York This is the start of the Susquehanna River, which winds its way across New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, where it flows into the Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace.Statue of James Fenimore Cooper, who is considered the first American novelist. He wrote in the early 1800s, and he wrote Last of the Mohicans.
National Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of FameThey keep the standings up to date, including playoffs.EntranceWe are here!!Hall of Fame Gallery This is where all of the Hall of Fame Plaques are displayed.My favorite player of all time. The first baseball card I ever had was Tom Seaver. That’s how he became my favorite player. That was in 1970. I saw him pitch in person twice, both times in Arlington, Texas in 1984 and 1985 for the Chicago White Sox vs. the Texas Rangers. The first game I saw him pitch, he got clobbered and lost 11-0. The second game I saw was Seaver’s 301st career win.The high point of being a baseball fan for almost 50 years!Seaver wore this glove when he struck out 10 batters in a row in 1970, which is still a major league record that has never been broken.Screen grab from the Tom Seaver film clip.1969 World Championship ring for the New York Mets.If you are not familiar with the baseball song “Talkin’ Baseball”, look it up and listen to the lyrics. This is Willie……Mickey……and the Duke!My dad’s favorite player. Dad saw DiMaggio play several times.My grandfather saw Babe Ruth play……and my grandfather also saw Lou Gehrig play.I saw Nolan Ryan pitch in Houston.I saw Cal Ripken play several times in Baltimore.Chipper Jones, one of the newest members of the Hall of Fame. He was inducted this year. I saw Jones play in the minor leagues for the Richmond Braves, and then about five years later I saw him play for the Atlanta Braves.Chipper Jones display.Chipper’s story.The Hall of Fame Class of 2018: Alan Trammell, Jack Morris, Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffmann.Two Babes!Babe Ruth’s uniform.Hank Aaron wore this uniform in 1974 when he broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record.The seven caps worn by Nolan Ryan in his seven no-hitters.A baseball from 1858.Joe DiMaggio’s baseball shoes.The helmet worn by Barry Bonds in 2007 when he hit his 756th career home run, which broke Hank Aaron’s record of 755.Ted Williams used this bat to hit this ball for his 500th career home run.Statue of Satchel Paige, a black ball player who was not allowed to play in the major leagues in his prime. Blacks were not allowed to play in the major leagues until 1947, when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.Statue of Roy Campanella, whose career ended when he was paralyzed in a car accident.Oh, and I wasn’t the only baseball nerd wearing a baseball jersey!More baseball nerds.
Dinner in Albany, New York
Athos Restaurant in Albany, New York. Authentic Greek Cuisine.The Wine Cellar has a glass ceiling! Pretty cool.Pita breadChicken Saganaki – this was delicious!Pastichio – very tasty!Best Baklava ever!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! – Psalm 107:1
This is the day we drove through the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Green Mountains of Vermont. We were probably one week early for peak color, but it is also beautiful now. God granted us a beautiful sunny clear day to enjoy the wonders of His creation!
North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway, New Hampshire is a ski resort town in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. This McDonald’s really gets into the ski resort theme! These ski lifts are booths.Saco River Valley, North Conway, New Hampshire
White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
White Mountain National Forest entrance.We drove the length of the Kancamagus Highway, famed for its fall scenes.We saw many Moose Crossing signs all over Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and upstate New York. Do you think we saw any moose? Mooses?River scene. (No moose sighted.)New Albany River Covered Bridge. Lower Falls (No moose.)Highway scene. Colorful highway scene. (No moose.)Sugar Hill Overlook. (No moose.)Zoom in at Sugar Hill Overlook.Wider view of Sugar Hill Overlook.Lily Pond. Hmm. What’s that? Do I smell a moose?Ahh! A moose WAS here! But this is all we saw of a moose on our whole trip – moose scat! Pemigewasset Overlook.Another scene.Hancock Overlook.This is why New Hampshire is called “The Granite State”.Another example.Color in New Hampshire.More New Hampshire trees.
Littleton, New Hampshire
Renaissance Mills, Littleton, New Hampshire.Covered bridge, Littleton, New Hampshire.
Vermont
Vermont vista.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. –Psalm 19:1
Vermont lake
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies. Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.
White River scene.
Vermont State House, Montpelier, Vermont
Vermont State House, Montpelier, Vermont I was not able to see the inside of the dome because this building has no rotunda – just wood supports inside the dome.Statue of Ethan Allen at the Vermont State House. Ethan Allen was an American Patriot. He was instrumental in helping American General Benedict Arnold (before Arnold turned traitor) capture Fort Ticonderoga in the Revolutionary War. He was also one of the founders of the state of Vermont. He was also a bit of a wild character – worth a little study if you have time!Vermont House Chamber.Vermont Senate Chamber.
Birthplace, Home and Grave of President Calvin Coolidge, Plymouth, Vermont
President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site, Plymouth, Vermont. Coolidge is one of my favorite presidents. He was our 30th president, and was the only president to be born on the 4th of July (1872). Coolidge was faithful to the US Constitution during his term; he refused to use government intervention to “correct” a downturn in the economy, much to the displeasure of the progressives. He was a very straight arrow, no-nonsense person. He was especially known to use an economy of words. It was reported that while at a Washington social event during Coolidge’s presidency (1923-1929), a news reporter approached the president and told him that he had bet another reporter that he would be able to get the president to say more than two words, to which Coolidge replied “You lose”.Calvin Coolidge was born here, in a back room of the General Store. This is the actual room where Calvin Coolidge was born.This was Calvin Coolidge’s bedroom. There are two pairs of his shoes next to the dresser on the far wall.Although he was a Vermont native, Coolidge went to college in Massachusetts and stayed there, eventually serving as Governor. He was President Warren Harding’s Vice President from 1921-1923, until Harding died. At the time Harding died, Coolidge was visiting his father here in Plymouth. His father, a notary public, administered the presidential oath of office to his son in this room, using the Bible on the table in the center of the room.Calvin’s father operated the Plymouth Cheese Corp. here. His father also was involved in just about every activity in this small village, which is mostly as it was when Calvin Coolidge was growing up here. Official portrait of President Calvin Coolidge. The Coolidge Home in Plymouth. The entire village of Plymouth was a tour – the general store, old school house, Coolidge home, the cheese company, and a few others. It was actually a much better tour than I expected. The self-guided tour of the Coolidge home was really neat. It is a well preserved example of the simple American rural life back in the late 1800s. There are more pictures in the Presidents page for Coolidge.President Coolidge used to relax on this front porch. Now, so have I!President Calvin Coolidge’s grave.Echo Lake, near PlymouthGreen Mountain Sugar House, Ludlow, Vermont There are “sugar houses” all over Vermont selling all varieties of maple syrup and all kinds of products that use maple. We sampled different varieties (light, medium and dark) of real maple syrup. The farm supplying this store is only a mile away.This is a Maple Creemee, and it is difficult to adequately describe how delicious this item is! Think Carl’s, with a strong maple flavor. Delicious!Vermont Green Mountain scene.On the road in Vermont.
Bennington, Vermont
Silk Road Covered Bridge, Bennington, Vermont.Bennington Battle MonumentStatue of Brigadier General John Stark, victorious commander of the Patriots in the Battle of Bennington, 1777. His famous quote to his soldiers: “There they are boys! We beat them today or Molly Stark sleeps a widow tonight!”Statue of Colonel Seth Warner, whose Green Mountain Boys turned back the British reinforcements in August 1777 after the first group had been defeated. His actions saved the Patriot stores at Bennington, crippling British General Burgoyne’s march, and established the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The victory denied Burgoyne much-needed supplies, and was a major contributing factor to the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga a couple months later in October 1777. It also helped convince the French to join the war to help the Patriots. This victory reverberated throughout America, convincing the Patriots that they could indeed defeat the mighty British military.Well look here! Mary Jean finally found her moose! I don’t know what the deal is around here, but in Vermont and central New York, they have painted animals like this all over!Red in Bennington.
Dinner in Bennington, Vermont
Dinner in the beautiful Green Mountains.The Publyk HouseColorful pumpkinsThis is the view from the restaurant. The Green Mountains, and the Bennington Battle Monument.Sunset over the Green Mountains. Dining with a view indeed!Salad and bread, with Maple butter, of course!Steak Medallions for her.Steak Medallions for him.
So the weather did not cooperate with us today! No rain, but very overcast, and low clouds, which impacted our visit to the top of this mountain, Cadillac Mountain, as you will see below. There are a number of scenic overlooks that were fine, as you can see…
View of Cadillac Mountain near the park entrance.
O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. — Psalm 89:8-9
Egg Rock OverlookSand Beach, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. — Psalm 24:1-2
Thunder Hole, Atlantic Ocean.Otter Cliff, Atlantic Ocean.Otter CoveJordan PondBubble Rock Overlook In the upper right side of this mountain, there is a rock named Bubble Rock. Can you see it in this picture? This rock was transported 40 miles during the times of glaciers here. We know this because Acadia is native pink granite, but Bubble Rock is the same bedrock material that is found 40 miles away!How about this one? Directly in the middle of the picture – that’s Bubble Rock.Eagle LakeThis is a normal view at the top of Cadillac Mountain.With fog covering the entire top of Cadillac Mountain, this was our view. The Atlantic Ocean is right out there, they tell me!This is another normal view at the top of Cadillac Mountain.This was our view.It was 45 degrees, misty and foggy, and very windy!Evergreens at the top of Cadillac MountainPine conesI think I’ll take this home for this year’s Christmas!Turning red.The aroma of firs was very noticeable in the air!More firsPine needlesA valleyOverlooking Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert Narrows.
Bangor, Maine
Stephen King’s house Check out the gate. King is a Maine native, and he actually lives here. One of his books is Salem’s Lot, Mary Jean’s favorite King book. Bangor is the basis for the town Derry, Maine in IT.Three-headed creature on the corner of King’s fence.Mt. Hope Cemetery. This cemetery was the inspiration for Pet Sematary, as well as the on-location filming of King’s cameo appearance in the film Pet Sematary.Coincidentally, while we were at this cemetery. we turned and saw this Civil War monument honoring the 2nd Maine Regiment of Volunteers. The message is: “Not painlessly doth God recast and mould anew the nation”.Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville were the last two battles for this regiment!
Across Maine to New Hampshire
Long Lake, near Naples, MaineA blast from the past! A real drive-in theater! This is in Bridgton, Maine. By the way, I actually saw the original Halloween movie in 1978 at the drive-in theater in Farmville!For the grandchildren who do not know what this is: We used to go see movies at drive-ins! You drive up to the gate, pay the entrance fee, then park your car facing the screen and then take the speaker off the pole and put it in the car window and watch the movie in your car! To get popcorn and other snacks you would walk to the back of the lot where there was a concession stand, then try to find your car in the dark!Moose Pond near West Bridgton. MaineMoose Pond near West Bridgton. Maine The ski slopes are waiting for snow!
Dinner in North Conway, New Hampshire
Cresh’s Italian Country Kitchen Nice Italian family restaurant. Suppli’ di Riso (Translate the Italian!)Tagliatelle al SalmoneTagliatelle al Ragu’ di Carne
We left Massachusetts, and headed north. Lots of driving, but also some more history and incredible beauty.
New Hampshire State House, Concord, New Hampshire
New Hampshire State HouseLiberty Bell replica on the grounds of the New Hampshire State HouseClose up of the dome.Marker on the State House exterior wall.House ChamberGovernor’s Council Room
Home and Grave of President Franklin Pierce, Concord, New Hampshire
The Pierce Manse Home of Franklin Pierce, 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853-1857.The Pierce Manse With railroad tracks in the front yard! (For you, Jason!)Grave of Franklin Pierce
McAuliffe-Shephard Discovery Center, Concord, New Hampshire
Entrance to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.
This center is named for astronauts Christa McAuliffe and Alan Shepard.
Christa McAuliffe, a school teacher in Concord, was the first American civilian selected to go into space. She tragically died in the space shuttle Challenger’s explosion shortly after lift-off in 1986.
Alan Shepard, a New Hampshire native, was the first American in space when the Freedom 7 spacecraft blasted off into a sub-orbital 15 minute flight in 1961. He was one of the original seven Mercury program astronauts, which were depicted in the movie The Right Stuff.
Mercury rocketMercury 7 capsule. This black section of the rocket is where the astronauts were seated. This capsule would return to earth in the ocean under parachutes. It was must-see TV in the 1960s. This chart shows the rockets NASA used for different programs. The one on the far left is the Mercury, which is on display at this center. The largest rocket is the Saturn V, which launched astronauts on their moon flights. Compare that with the shuttle rocket on the far right.
New Castle, New Hampshire
Fort William and Mary in New Castle, New Hampshire was the sight of the first American victory in the Revolutionary War in 1774. The Americans, led by Captain John Langdon and Major John Sullivan, captured the fort and removed the British guns and stores.
Gate of Fort William and MaryRuins of Fort William and MaryThere are many Colonial-era houses here that are right on the street! They must use the back door to come and go!
USS Albacore Museum, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
So when we were planning our New England trip, Mary Jean was very excited to visit the USS Albacore Museum. This museum is a real submarine that visitors can actually walk through. We go up to buy the tickets, and Mary Jean is all “I can’t do it”, so I went in by myself. It was really neat.
USS Albacore MuseumUSS AlbacoreSubmarine propellersMe at the helm.The periscope – it actually works! I was able to see the cars outside!A typical hatch between rooms. It was too small for me to get through without sitting and bending low.Check the reading on that gauge! Where’s Kieran?Very complex systems.Now, which valve am I supposed to close?
Nubble Lighthouse, York, Maine
This was such a big disappointment! I was so looking forward to seeing one of the most photographed lighthouses in the USA! And what did I see?
Nubble Lighthouse undergoing “maintenance”.Close-up view.It was not a total loss, however. The Atlantic Ocean crashing into the rocks.The beauty of God’s creation!
Lobster Lunch in Ogunquit, Maine
Within the Perkins Cove area of Ogunquit, Maine, there is……a lobster restaurant. We were told that the best lobsters would be found at a place with “shack” in its name.She found it!!A busy place.Ready for action!Uh oh! TWO lobsters?Getting after it!Really going good now.Last bite. Best lobsters she has ever had. By the way, up here they are “lobstahs”, not “Maine lobsters”.Also, in Perkins Cove there is an old draw bridge.A sailboat goes through the open drawbridge.Perkins Cove and the Atlantic Ocean.
President George H. W. Bush’s Compound, Kennebunkport, Maine
The Bush Compound in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Blowing Cave across from the Bush Compound.Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunkport Simply beautiful – the water was really blue and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks was constant.Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunkport St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, built 1892, right by the ocean!
Maine State House, Augusta, Maine
Front of the state capitol.Close-up of the dome, which appears black, but is actually copper.Rear of the capitol, and the visitors entrance. Unfortunately, we were too late to tour the building.Liberty Bell replica on the grounds of the Maine State House.
Old Fort Western, Augusta, Maine
Old Fort Western dates back to 1754, and is America’s oldest surviving wooden fort.Outside the fort.Inside the fort.Inside the fort.
Another day of rain, mist and fog. Another day of Boston traffic. Another day of the horrible terrible bumpy streets of Boston. Despite the conditions outside, we were able to have a great day in Boston. I will also say the people here (locals) were very nice. I was told to expect cold and rude.
Boston, Massachusetts
Sign on the Old North Church.The Old North Church, Boston.Statue of Paul Revere’s Ride. I zoomed in to get this shot because the surrounding scenery……looked like this!Paul Revere’s House. We toured inside this house, but unfortunately no photography is allowed inside.Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church are located in the Little Italy section of Boston. The streets are lined with many beautiful Italian restaurants. Too bad we were there at 10 in the morning.We were able to score a genuine cannoli at one of the Italian shops.
We were not able to see downtown Boston with any sunshine or clear skies, no no clear skyline shots; however, the low clouds make for some pretty neat pictures too.
Downtown BostonDowntown BostonDowntown BostonDowntown Boston. The small brick building with the small gold dome is the Old State House.
Lunch at Cheers, Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts
In front of the iconic bar. Cheers.NORM! This does NOT look like the TV show bar! The real pub was named Bull & Finch Pub. Steak sandwichCheers CheeseburgerCheers!
Massachusetts State House, Boston, Massachusetts
The Massachusetts State House in Boston is a spectacular building! The majestic exterior with the gold dome, and the interior with multiple colors of marble, and the historic portraits and statues all combine to make this building almost overwhelming to take in. I have many pictures other than what I have posted here – you can see them in the Capitols link.
Massachusetts State House (state capitol building)Looking up at the rotunda.Concord Bridge muralBust of President John Adams.Memorial to Army Nurses. A kneeling nurse tends to an injured soldier during the Civil War. This is for OUR Army nurse – Kayla!House chamberSecond floorFirst floor rotundaHall of flags
Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Massachusetts
Gravestones dating back to the 1600s.Grave of Samuel Adams.Grave of John Hancock
Parker House Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Mary Jean in front of the famed Omni Parker House Hotel.Going in……for genuine Boston Cream Pie! The Parker House Hotel is known as the creator of Parker House Rolls, and Boston Cream Pie!
Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
Fenway ParkBanners for the all-time great Red Sox playersStatue of Carl Yastrzemski I saw him play in the first major league baseball game I ever saw in person.Statue of Ted Williams, considered by many to be the greatest hitter in baseball history. My dad saw him play several times.
Bunker Hill Monument
Bunker Hill Monument marks the location of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. Called Battle of Bunker Hill, the hill was actually known as Breed’s Hill. On June 16, 1775, The 2,200 British soldiers overran the 1,200 Patriots, but the British lost more than half of their men, a devastating loss. The monument is open for visitors to climb the 294 steps to the top, where there are beautiful views of downtown Boston. I did not climb because the clouds were so low (and I was a little tired).
Bunker Hill MonumentRevolutionary War cannonStatue of William Prescott, commander of the Patriot forces during the battle. Colonel Prescott is known for giving the order: “Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes”.Gaslight near Bunker Hill Monument.
Lexington, Massachusetts
Minuteman Statue on Lexington’s Battle Green. Farmers were dedicated to be ready to fight the British “in a minute’s notice”.Buckman Tavern, where the Lexington Militia gathered on April 19, 1775 prior to the battle.Lexington Battle Green, site of the first battle of the Revolutionary War.Monument of the Battle of Lexington
Concord, Massachusetts
By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world. (Concord Hymn, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, written in 1837 for the dedication of the Obelisk monument at the Old North Bridge).
Old North Bridge, site of the first shot fired to start the Revolutionary War, called “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”.The Old North BridgeSite of British grave at Concord. A little snarky!Concord Minuteman statue at Old North Bridge.
