Caught Traveling: lighthouse

Thursday, November 12, 2015

October 20th - On the way home

Having finished all our opportunities in Massachusetts with Mom and Susan, we set out in the morning to return to our little camper in New Jersey. On the road out, we came across a huge flock of wild turkeys. We stopped for a few pics.

We stopped again in Stamford, CT for baked goods at Cogs, and breakfast a a different diner. This diner wasn't very good, but the back window where we sat had a great view of a small, serene lake surrounded by fall foliage with ducks and geese swimming in it.

After that, we drove down near Tarrytown to a walking path built on an old rail line. We walked a bit a engaged in finding four or five geocaches. One was up on some rocks that provided a bit of a challenge to get to though it wasn't hidden very well. Another was in a magnetic key box stuck on the outside of an iron train bridge over a highway. That was all a lot of fun and exercise.

Ever since two years ago, when we first crossed the Tappan Zee bridge, I've wanted to go down to where there is a small park and viewing area. This time we went there. They are working on constructing a new bridge alongside of the Tappan Zee in order to replace it. It was amazing being down by the shore of the Hudson River at it's widest point.

From here, after a full day, we headed home to the Fla-Net Campground.

Early morning confrontation

Benjamin Franklin's nominee for the National Bird.

Like the twilight in the road up ahead

They don't see just where we're goin'

All the secrets in the universe whisper in our ears

All the years come and go, take us up, always up

We may never pass this way again

Nest. Hawk or Eagle?

Wonderful old train bridge

Tarrytown, NY

Viewing park at Tappan Zee on the Hudson River

Tappan Zee Bridge wit the new NY Bridge being constructed to it's north

"Boo!!"

Natural Beauty

GEOCACHING
The caches we found were a lot of fun. Some up on rocks, some hidden in rocks, in trees, and on the train bridge.

"Found it!"

"Piece of cake"

Cache in upper corner of the bridge could only be seen from the road below

Signing the log

Putting it back.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

October 10th - Mystic Seaport Museum - A birthday trip.

It was Laurie's mom's birthday and she had said she wanted to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum. We packed into Susie's rented Jeep, and drove to Connecticut. Laurie and I had been there two years ago on our previous Jersey adventure, but were anxious to see it again. We walked around, looked at the ships, visited the shops, took notice of the gardens and displays, and enjoyed a very nice and temperate day.

I'm always struck by the craftsmanship that goes into the building of the old sailing ships. When you look at the detail of a wooden structure on a ship like a cabinet, you have to remember it was constructed using hand tools. Every hole or slot in siding or beam that is made for a peg or panel, was painstakingly done with care and expertise with awls, augers, and chisels guided by hand. When you see descriptions of how the keel is laid, board upon board, it was done by hand. No tools, or motorized cranes. Engines of a bit later were still crude in that all the parts were hand forged. It is just amazing.

There are, as I said, shops along the wharf that display sea life in the whaling era. A watch and compass maker, a print shop and a typical home. An apothecary, and a doctor. The crudeness of life but the strength of the people who lived it is inspiring. Many today would disparage the life of those who hunted whales, but in the days before people had discovered oil and how to refine it, Whales provided the basis for many needs. It was a temporary necessity for progress in the time it was needed.

We had lunch there and enjoyed the time with Laurie's mom and sister. Clowning around with the displays that had you put your faces through to get fun photos was a blast.

For more information about this wonderful place, you should visit their website.

http://www.mysticseaport.org/