A Day at Yale

Hey Everyone,

I had some stops to make in New Haven... you know, breathe in a little greatness. I started with Yale's Art Museum (free to public). They have several Monet paintings in their collection. Unfortunately, only two were on display because there is some renovation underway. The good news is there are other museums on the road that should have some Monet for me :-)! Hanging next to him? Van Gogh.

In the same museum, there is a floor dedicated to African and Asian art. This is an African Chief's chair...isn't it cool?

This is an Asian Tomb Guardian. Also cool!

After this first stop (and while it was just barely misting out) I wandered through blocks and blocks of Yale's beautiful old buildings.

Next it was off to the Peabody Museum of Natural History (free on Thursday between 2-5p). What can I say... I love a good dinosaur museum! This museum is certainly on the short list of most renown for its specimens.

This is Archelon ischyros, the largest marine turtle species ever found. It probably weighed about 3 tons and measures approx. 10ft x 10ft. I am so glad that this isn't the kind of turtle I helped feed at Mote's turtle hospital!!

So I said farewell to the Brontosaurus - tried to get a picture, but just couldn't get a good one (sorry!) - and wandered over to the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (free, public can see two floors). This is the library building...entrance is near that speck of light (bottom, center). The inside is very nice...cozy chairs and a multilevel glass cube in the center with shelves and shelves of old books. It looks very intense and there were 3 guards visible on the main floor, so I asked about the cube. He told me it is not air tight, but that only certain people can enter the area to retrieve books for researchers.

Currently, the main exhibit is Shakespeare with texts and some related items dating back to the 1600s. I wanted to stop here for two reasons. First, in all honesty, it's Yale and I'm not likely to be here again...might as well see all I can! Secondly, two items in their permanent collection were of interest: (1) Yale has a Gutenberg Bible (from approx. 1455) on display that was decorated in color by hand. It is believed this was the first book printed from moveable type in the western world & thus marks the beginning of the general application of the art of printing.

The other item I thought I should see was Audubon's The Birds of America (1827-38) - known as the Double Elephant folio because of its size. There are 435 engraved and hand-colored plates in four volumes.

As the rain started back up, again....I head north to Mystic. This is the Mystic River from the drawbridge into downtown.

I was a proper tourist this evening....ate dinner at the world famous Mystic Pizza (as in the movie), followed by some excellent local ice cream from Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. That movie must be 20yrs old (or more) now and I saw people outside taking pictures of the still famous sign while I ate. Funniest thing to me is that the food was good and the service was so-so, just like in the movie. Plus, the girl who brought my dinner said to me (as I sat alone): "Here you guys go, enjoy." I wonder, should I be worried that I didn't see the ghost at my table or worried that she did?

For those of you who just have to know what pizza I ordered, here you go. Sharmi, just skip this info...you will not approve :-). I ordered half spinach/ artichoke heart/pepperoni and half seafood delight. That's right....shrimp pizza! I knew I'd find it somewhere eventually. The artichoke half was better...I expected more flavorful shrimp.

I hope to have a little better exploring weather tomorrow....will write again soon.

Rainy Day in the City

Hey Everyone,

The rain cleared up nicely yesterday & this morning when I put my bike back on its rack it was still dry. By the time I put my stuff in the car (5 min later) it was pouring. It continued to rain until late this afternoon. I skipped a couple places where I had hoped to do some sightseeing from my bike, but still made one stop in The Highlands.

Once upon a time there were 6 or 7 twin lighthouses in the US, although none were connected. And I learned today that there are a couple still standing along the coast. However, the Navesink Highlands Lighthouse (1862, also known as the Twin Lights) were connected at some point along the way and is the only connected twin lighthouse. It is 200ft above sea level, one of the highest positions along the Atlantic Coast. Another thing that makes this station special is that it was the first to demonstrate commercial wireless telegraph in this country.

My next stop was Liberty State Park in Jersey City. My goal was to visit both Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty. However, it was so foggy and rainy when I arrived that I couldn't see much.

Luckily, the rain let up a little and I caught the ferry. I found it interesting that it costs more to visit Shenandoah National Park than it costs to ride the ferry roundtrip to both sites.

This is the old train terminal that now serves as the ferry terminal.

I chose to visit the sites from New Jersey because I read that it was just easier than doing it from NYC. I would guess it's prettier too. Liberty State Park is about 1,200 acres & a really nice park. It has a great view of the Statue, bike paths, trails, and walkways.

Ellis Island & The Statue of Liberty

New Jersey's Empty Sky Memorial

I made one big mistake today....I decided not to fill the gas tank before leaving the city. Gas in Connecticut is abut 50 cents higher than the lowest price I saw in the past 24 hours. Oops!!!

I also made an interesting mistake today....left NJ/NY just after 5pm. That's right...I drove through New Jersey and New York, over the George Wahington Bridge ($12!) and it took just over two hours to go 59 miles. But...it also meant that I had time to appreciate some beautiful old buildings on Summit Avenue in NJ's Bergen Hill Neighborhood.

I do plan to make a couple more stops in NY before the trip is finished, but not for a couple weeks at least. Som that's it for tonight...much to be grateful for from day to day. More soon....thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to Jersey...

Hey Everybody,

It rained through the night and into mid-morning, but once I hopped on the ferry in Delaware I never felt another drop. The Delaware Bay was a bit choppy this morning, but not bad....please tell Heidi it was nothing like those "big ass waves" on the river! You can also tell her that nobody would let me drive the ferry, even though I told them I'm kind of a boat captain :-). The ferry terminal looks a bit like a lodge inside with comfortable chairs and tables. Every airport should be so cozy!

Anyway, about 90 minutes later the ferry arrived in Cape May, my first stop in NJ. I waited to get here to buy gas just get full service - NJ is the only state where every station is full service. Thus, the first local I spoke with was the station attendant/owner. He told me that 85% of his customers are tourists (most out of state). He also told me that at 6am one morning in another town I shall not name....a friend of his was shot 13 times upon opening the gas station. Kinda hard to NOT stereotype a place when murder is the first story you hear! On a related note, every hour or so the local radio stations run a public service announcement about how to quietly text terrorist concerns to the transit authorities! And, an officer and drug or bomb-sniffing dog ride the ferry too.

Anyway, Cape May is known for its Victorian homes. No pics since I already posted some Victorian homes, but there are many beautiful and colorful homes. Lots of stuff on the Jersey shore is closed right now... stores, restaurants, lighthouses. But I'd rather be here now...must be crazy in the summertime!

Cape May Point State Park is both a wildlife refuge and home to the Cape May Lighthouse (1859). The tip of Cape May is Sunset Beach. That's where one of the experimental concrete ships built during World War I ran aground during a storm. The amazing thing to me is that the concrete ships completed any Trans-Atlantic voyages at all!

I'm not proud, but no trip to NJ would be complete without a visit to see Lucy, the world's largest elephant! I did not pay ($7) to climb up the elephant's butt for a guided tour....but I was here...driving around all the Monopoly Game streets! And I will tell you that Margate has some beautiful homes....hard to believe it's SO close to Atlantic City, which has more poor roads than good ones and just wasn't attractive at all!

Wildwood's amusement park is basically closed...might be open weekends now, but I won't be here to find out. I tried to visit the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, but it's closed on Tuesdays, so we all get to see it from the street. It's the tallest one in NJ and one of the oldest (1857) in the country. I wandered west to Millville - more Victorian homes, although few as nice as those in Cape May. In 1941 Millville established America's First Defense Airport & trained fighter pilots. Millville is beginning to rebuild with an arts district - rooted in the town's previous history with glass-making.

Then I head back to the coast...to Long Beach Island to see another Lighthouse, Barnegat (first lighted, January 1, 1859). The last picture is the bird-nesting beach at the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park - nice view for the local residents!

Not sure what state I'll be sleeping in tomorrow...but I will be in touch soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Delaware

Greetings from The First State!

Lewes is the first town in the first state. It is also the place where I'll catch the ferry to New Jersey, home to the Lightship Overfalls, and home to Cape Henlopen State Park.

The Lightship Overfalls was built in 1938 and was one of the last ones constructed. The US government initiated the use of manned or floating lighthouses in the 1820s and the last lightship was decommissioned in 1985.

As for Cape Henlopen....just look!

The state park has several of these observation towers, which were built during WW II. The towers here were the eyes of Fort Miles, but the towers begin further south in Delaware Seashores State Park.

For the boys on the blog: This is but one of many anti-ship guns at Fort Miles. It's a MKVI 3A11 and required a crew of 25; its range was 20 miles

I have travelled much of Delaware on two-lane highways in the last couple days including St. Michaels on the Chesapeake Bay side, Bowers Beach on the Delaware Bay, and New Castle on the Delaware River.

Just an FYI: St. Michaels has a population of about 500. This past weekend was the annual Winefest, which brings in 1,500 tourists. The high schooler who scooped my excellent S'mores ice cream told me the high school prom and Winefest were scheduled for the same weekend. He also said it was a busy night for the police - yep, the Winefest folks were the bigger challenge. I guess sophisticated drunks....are still drunks!

In Rehoboth Beach, I found my way to Thrasher's! That's right...my favorite French fry restaurant - or maker, for those of you who still think restaurant is just not the proper word :-). Do not be alarmed! I know Thrasher's looks closed, but this is the other location. The first location is about a 1 minute walk toward the beach. Because I like to keep these posts informative, I thought you'd like to know Thrasher's has some competition now; it's a place called Bricker's, which I tested. It just so happens Bricker's originated in York, PA. Some people prefer them. I don't think they'll win, but now you know you have a choice!

What I didn't do last time I was in Rehoboth Beach was eat at Nicola Pizza, which has been around for just over 40yrs. It's "on the Avenue" too, just a couple blocks west of Thrasher's. I am happy to report that I loved their pizza!

Before leaving Florida I had read that the first few miles of Delaware (Delaware Seashores State Park) was the prettiest and best stretch of coast in the state. As it turns out, the area is very nice...but even the park employee told me to camp further north - at Cape Henlopen. That is the most beautiful stretch of coastline I've seen since Ocracoke, NC. It almost reminds me of the Outer Banks, but it strikes me as less wild somehow. Interestingly, this state park has the largest sand hill (at 80ft) between Cape Cod and Cape Hatteras.

I think that's all from Delaware...more soon.

On the Boardwalk...

Greetings from Ocean City, Maryland!

 

I didn't intend to spend an entire day wandering the boardwalk, eating boardwalk food, watching a sport kite competition, or riding the 1902 Herschell-Spillman Co. carousel at Trimper's Amusements. But sometimes it just happens...

It will come as no surprise that I went to the boardwalk around 11am because that's when I figured Thrasher's would be open. That's right....french fries for brunch! I spotted the huge kites further down the beach and started watching the sport kite competition after brunch. But first one more pic of non- competition kites....these kites were back on the ground a few hours later when the wind disappeared. The competitive kite folks, however, can fly kites without wind. In fact. I learned from one of the kite owners that people practice and perform indoors.

This is a 2-person team competing in the kite ballet with music competition. All these kites are 2-line kites.

This is one person with two kites....

Finally, a 3-person team practicing their kite ballet routine. I was told that 4-5 person teams perform together, but I didn't spent to see any.

For all of you with pets...the Ocean City Boardwalk is extremely pet friendly!

All in all, a cold but relaxing day on the beach. Time to hit the road...will be in touch soon.

Baltimore Style

As promised, more from Baltimore. My first stop on Friday morning was the American Visionary Arts Museum. This museum has three buildings of folk art, which includes a cabaret mechanical theatre, a full size man made out of telephone wires (i think it's my favorite), amazing toothpick and paper plate art pieces, and the big bra ball that made national news. While I understand, I was most disappointed that I couldn't take any photos inside.

Baltimore is known for its Rowhouses....this was just about the only car-free street I could find to snap a photo. A number of the front stairs in this town are marble....Aren't they beautiful?!

One of the recent Rowhouse trends is a crow's nest....very nice!

One of my favorite Baltimore discoveries on Thursday was painted screens. After the museum I went searching....Baltimore locals have been painting screens for their Rowhouses since 1913. While they aren't as easy to find as they would have been in their heyday (40s-50s), they're around and seem to be making a bit of a comeback. Don't be surprised if you see painted screens on the next place I rent. I love these!

The painted screens are brilliant! They provide art for passersby and fresh air - with privacy intact - to residents. Thanks to the very kind woman at the Hatton Senior Center where I began my search (she took a screen off the window so I could see how they look on both sides) I learned that the painting is not visible from the inside as long as you don't get any paint in the holes. Screens of all sizes, including screen doors, are painted. So cool!

This is an 1843 Methodist Church....photo does not do justice to this building. It is extraordinary!

The 178 foot Doric column was the first monument erected to honor George Washington.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. More soon.....

Off to Baltimore

Hey Everybody,

It turns out that my friend, Joe, grew up in Baltimore. He spent Thursday showing me the places I never would have found on my own, including what must be the most beautiful street in town, painted screens, and the Women's Industrial Exchange on N. Charles St. I loved Baltimore! For me, it is the perfect size city - lots to see and do and easily navigable. Thus, I returned on Friday to explore on my own before heading back to the beach, which is where I am tonight...in the cold & rain. If anyone sees Kathy at BSB, please tell her I won't make fun of those cute little pink socks she wears with flip flops again because this afternoon I wore a pair of socks at the beach....it was that cold.

The Women's Industrial Exchange began shortly after the Civil War. It was started to help women earn money discreetly by selling their handiwork. Today the gift shop sells items made by men and women. There is so much stuff in the shop: handmade toys, clothes, dishes, and soaps. They also serve lunch during the week in the coolest diner. Each table has been designated to a woman (or group of women) in history and covered with related photos, articles, and quotes.

Once back in York, we tried a new pizza place in town, Parma, and I think we all agree it was great pizza! Many thanks to my friends in York!

From Federal Hill....pictures of the Harbor:

1. Domino Sugar - I would never have guessed there'd be a sugar plant in Baltimore.

2. We don't know what this boat is, but what great timing! The Rusty Scupper Restaurant is expensive and there is much better food in town. And that red building is Seven Foot Knoll, an old screwpile lighthouse.

3. Just wanted you to see that cute little lighthouse....

4.Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled Banner on September 14, 1814 - the morning after the British ceased their attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812. Like Gettysburg, Fort McHenry's visitor center has a great film that bring these events to life. There were soldiers from this war buried at the Gettysburg National Cemetery. I feel fortunate to have visited these two remarkable sites back to back.

5. We watched this tanker being guided by the tugs- sure hope it makes it under the bridge....

One more Baltimore post coming up....