We are working our way eastward for Steve’s fall marathons. Along the way we’ve found some fun stops to entertain and educate us. This part of the country is new territory for us, so there is a lot to explore and learn. The changing leaves make it a perfect time for exploration.
First stop was the Poconos in the northeastern portion of the Pennsylvania. When planning a roadtrip to places we’ve never been, we sometimes have to make a guess as to where to go. For this stop we decided the town of Jim Thorpe sounded good and we were not disappointed. This historic town, named after the greatest athlete of the 20th century, and referred to as the “Switzerland of America” is the gateway to the beautiful Lehigh Gorge.
We explored the town and then took our bikes on a shuttle up the gorge and rode back to town along the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Trail. The 25 mile downhill route along the Lehigh River was spectacular.
While in the Poconos we visited the World’s Largest General Store…at least that’s what the sign said. Fun to wander around with Bob.
From the Poconos we traveled about 100 miles to the Hudson River Valley in New York. From our campground near Newburgh we were able to take in some fun, historic sites. First we did a tour of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
We learned about the founding of West Point in 1778 and about its current status at the premier training facilities for our country’s leaders. Notable West Point grads include Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ulysses S. Grant to name a few. It’s a beautiful campus right on the river.
In Poughkeepsie we took Bob on a walk across the Hudson River at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park. The world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge spans 1.28 miles over the river. We walked from the park in Highland, NY to Poughkeepsie and back on a beautiful afternoon.
On our final day in the Hudson River Valley we visited a number of national park sites of historical significance in Hyde Park, NY. First we toured the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Park, built by Frederick Vanderbilt in 1895. Opulent and stately, the mansion served as a spring and fall escape for the family and their friends who would sail up the Hudson to get to the property.
Just a mile down the road is the lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Presidential Library. We wandered the expansive property, admired the views of the Hudson below, paid our respects at the resting place of President Roosevelt and his influential wife, Eleanor. It was too much for us to see it all in just one day, but we walked away with a strengthened appreciation of the contribution our longest serving president had on our nation.
From the Hudson River Valley we traveled further east into Connecticut. We are here at the best time, with a chill in the air and the changing colors in the trees. But, the very best part of this stop was our day spent with our good friends Jeff and Gail. As Connecticut natives, they were generous in showing us the best of the Hartford area. First stop: Mark Twain’s house. We took a living history tour of the house where Samuel Clemens wrote his most famous works, including the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
After learning about the incredible life of Mark Twain we headed to one of Connecticut’s best pizza shops: Sally’s Apizza. After a great lunch Jeff gave us a tour of his alma mater, the University of Connecticut in Storrs. The beautiful campus is topped off with its own dairy bar featuring some of the best ice cream we’ve ever had. We are so grateful for our RV lifestyle which has led us to great friends like Gail and Jeff.
The next marathon on the fall calendar is soon upon us. Next up we’ll have a report from Rhode Island.
Marnie and Steve Travel 