Touring Days West Point and Hyde Park

On June 10th and 11th we rented a car and visited West Point, about 30 miles south of Mariner's on the Hudson, and the presidential library and home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  At West Point we rode a tour bus around the campus, visited the chapel and the parade grounds.

We are standing, lower right, learning about the history of West Point.

Standing at West Point Overlook at the The Hudson River below, where we had boated just days before. General George Washington considered the river to be a most important stronghold against the British.  A chain was ordered to be made and then carried across the river and placed just under the water.  The chain would sink any British boats coming down river.

The Protestant Chapel at West Point is beautiful.  It is an example of Gothic Revival architecture with its cross-shaped floor plan, soaring arches and ornate stone carvings.  It also has the largest chapel organ in the world.  

All the beautiful stained glass windows have been made by three generations of the same family.  

Standing beside the chapel 

Thirteen links of the chain are memorialized, center of photo.

Downtown West Point, even had a small diner, with a counter and bar stools. 

In the afternoon we visited the home of FDR and the presidential library.  Indoor flash photography is not allowed inside the house and it is kept dark in order to preserve the contents.  FDR was born in this house in a 2nd floor bedroom, lived and entertained heads of state, and is buried in the rose garden along with his wife Eleanor and dog Fala.  

 Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

Sad to see Phil leave Blue Moon.  He took the train from Poughkeepsie to Albany, N.Y. and caught his flight back home to Austin, TX.