Friday, September 23, 2016

September 23rd. West Point

Today we decided to take it a little easy. We drove up to the West Point Military Academy for a tour. The history was really amazing. If it wasn't for West Point, we may still be a British Colony.



The American Soldier's Statue dedicated to Cadets who died during flight.




This is the key spot of West Point. Here the patriots could monitor any British ships coming in. They also laid a very large chain across the river floating it with logs to prevent any British ships from coming up the river.


This canon was at Trophy Point where the canons taken in battle are displayed. This one is very interesting because it appears to have been hit by a canon ball. Zoom in and see.


Battle Monument dedicated in 1897 by Civil War Veterans.


More canons at Trophy Point



Sedgwick Monument. The cadets have a midnight lights out. On nights before exams some cadets can be seen spinning the spurs for luck on their exam


There were two ladies on our tour. One pushing her mother in a wheel chair. After we visited Battle Monument a cadet ran up to them. The two ladies were the cadet's mother and grandmother. It was a very moving moment. Here the cadet is pushing her grandmother back to our tour bus.


Kosciuszko's Monument the pedestal was dedicated in 1828 and the statue was added in 1913.



After we left the Academy, we headed back stopping at Fort Montgomery which was built in 1776 by the Continental Army on the west bank of the Hudson River. These images are the remnants of foundations of the various buildings.







September 22nd New York

We left Mountain Falls on the 20th and spent a night at Shenandoah Valley RV Park. It is fairly new but easy to get to.

The trip to Black Bear RV Park was not so easy. I81 got shut down due to a semi burned to the ground adding quite a bit of travel time. I sure miss the open roads of the west.

We were having difficultly putting in the Black Bear address to our Goodsam GPS. It just would not let us use the suggested route provided by the campground. We ignored it and proceeded to use the route given us. As soon as we got to our exit we learned why. The exit had a very large sign prohibiting any trucks greater than 10 tons. Well, we are around 25 tons.

Chris called the campground and got reassurances it would be ok. I just envisioned a 10 ton Bridge as we need to get to Bridge Street for our turn in Florida, NY. Again, as we approached Florida, NY, the freaking road was closed!! They detoured us down an alley and onto another back street to get back to ours. I thought I was going to lose my mind.

We made it!! The campground is very nice. The site we are in is up a very steep hill, but plenty of room.

September 22nd

We arranged a tour of downtown New York City. What a blast. Neither Chris nor I have ever been to NYC. The tour was ok, but time packed. We did not have much time at each site we visited.



Times Square


Trinity Church




This is where George Washington took his first presidential oath.








This is where the immigrants waited to catch a train to various places in the US










The artist that designed these two walls gave them perspective of the original twin towers




Monday, September 19, 2016

September 19th Quest for more waterfalls

So today we continued our quest for waterfalls. This included Gorge's State Park and Whitewater Falls.


Unknown waterfall on Rainbow Trail



Unknown waterfall on Rainbow Trail



Rainbow Falls

An Atlanta News Anchor fell to her death in late July from these falls.



Turtleback Falls



Whitewater Falls


Sunday, September 18, 2016

September 18th Waterfall Tour

So based on my limited knowledge of this area of North Carolina, I learned that the area in and around Transylvania County has dozens and dozens of waterfalls. We decided today we would go and search for some.

We encountered lots of trails, views, and of course waterfalls. Overall a great day, but our feet hurt.





Looking Glass Waterfall in Pisgah National Forest.



Moore Cove Waterfall in Pisgah National Forest




Hooker Waterfall DuPont Forest




High Falls DuPont Forest


Video of the Falls:


Covered Bridge in DuPont Forest