After Williamsburg we headed north making our way to Lewes, Delaware where we will spend a night. This is Dogfish Head micro-brewery country a must do is to check out this famous brew. An unexpected highlight of the trip was the 23-mile drive over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. After Lewes the next stop is son Paul in Downingtown, PA. There is a very convenient RV park to set the RV just outside of town at the Brandywine Creek Campground.

Paul and Marty always manage to feed us well and keep us busy. Over the years one of the favorite adventures has been Longwood gardens. It is a premier horticulture display on over thousand acres. It has impressive grounds and fountains although the main fountains are under reconstruction. In the past we visited there in the summer and fall so this is our first spring visit. Interestingly it is located in an area where the native Lenni Lenape Tribe lived (also known as the Delaware Indians). My great-great-great-grandparents are from that tribe. Last winter in my genealogy research found link which was a surprise.

This part of the post is all about the pictures.

The next adventure for Larry and Paul was the National Watch and Clock Museum located in Lancaster County. The museum was interesting and there was a very large collection. There were many one of a kind displays as well as themed exhibits. It was curated with lots of text which we did not have time to get through. Of course there was a Micro-Brewery Columbia Kettle Works Craft Brewing close by that warranted a stop on this afternoon outing.

Jan and Marty had their own adventure heading off to Winterthur, a DuPont Museum (estate) in Delaware. The focus is on Americana in the US. This home was built for display by Henry DuPont who was an antique collector and horticulturist. It is always a worthwhile stop. It had been several years since we visited the museum. Pictures follow…

Brandywine Creek, photo taken on an early morning walk

Next stop is Jersey City, NJ and the Liberty RV Park and Marina. The trip north on the NJ Turnpike is always interesting for us Midwestern’s who are not use to 10 plus lanes in one direction especially with a RV in tow. The turnpike and the Holland Tunnel extension takes us right into Jersey City. Actually the trip is fairly easy now that we have done it many times. If you follow this route to the park, make sure you get off at the right place or you end up going through the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River. The Liberty Marina is a great place to stay as it is close to New Jersey Transit system and links with the NYC subway system. It is also right next door to the Statue of Liberty State Park. Although we miss the park this time due to the rain.

In the City we will catch up with Karl and Cully and in Brooklyn with Grand Daughter Fiona and John.

From the park you can see the World Trade Center Complex and the Statue of Liberty. Also very interesting was the German rolling hotel…we saw this last time we here as well.

Very convenient to the RV Park you can catch two PATH trains into NYC. The destination stations are 33rd Station and the World Trade Center. Karl works in one of the World Trade Center towers, I think he said the 47th floor?

We love poking around the city the Chelsea market is a frequent stop. Interesting fact is that the building is where the Oreo Cookie was invented and produced.

Another favorite thing to do is the High Line linear park. It is constructed on an old elevated railroad spur. It is a great walk with many views, lots of flowers, interesting paths and always a place to take a photo or two. It calls us back each time we get to the City.

Here some NYC shots that caught my eye as we wandered the streets of Manhattan.

Always looking for a different place to eat. Easy to do in the City. Here are a couple of our lunch finds

Since we have done most of the main museums in NYC, the target is now some of the smaller ones. This year was Museum of the City of New York. Jan and I both enjoyed it a lot. However, some of the humor and displays went over our head as I think you had to be from the City to get. Coming out of the museum we encounter the ladies who were having a spring fling in Central Park…lots of color for sure… That is why we love coming to the Big City when we can.

We caught up with Karl and did a walk in Central Park. Never get tired of seeing the park, it is an amazing place. It was even good in the rain.

Fiona and John invited us for pizza. There we had a nice evening with Karl and Cully, Mark was in the City and Marty came down from PA for the family event. It was good to see where Fiona and John live and be with family. But this was Wednesday night so some of the more distant working folks got left out.

This year we took on the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time. It was a nice experience, plenty of views and lots of foot traffic. As we were headed to Brooklyn anyway this fit in the schedule nicely. During the walk you see the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan Bridge, action on the Hudson and great views of the skyline, picture to follow…

One of the more eclectic experience is the New York Transit Museum. We did this several years ago and really enjoyed the experience. The museum is in an old Brooklyn Subway stop. Good information on the subway system the how, what, when and where. One of main exhibit was the plan to deal with disasters and other emergencies which both of us found it very educational. The tour is also a flash back in time as you wander through all the old vintage cars with the advertising banners still in place. These banners show us a glimpse into life in the city as well life at that specific time period.

Of course what you do in the City, you eat. Thursday night we caught up with Karl and Cully for dinner. Interesting place with the theme of faux meat. Actually it was very good and would go back.

Next stop is Kingston, NY to catch up with son Mark and Kevin. Mark and Kevin bought a house there and this will be our first visit. It is an easy drive from New Jersey to Saugerties, NY where we will be staying at the Rip Van Winkle RV Park. This area there has many references to Rip Van Winkle as the legend starts here in the Catskill Mountains of NY.

First on the list was a tour of Moresca by Kevin. This is where he works. Moresca is a clothing and costume shop. It has been around for over 40 years making Medieval, Renaissance, Fantasy Clothing and costumes. The tour blows one away with it depth and breadth of products. In addition, the old building and grounds had a creative flare all by themselves.

Mark and Kevin fixed us a late breakfast but first we rounded up the ingredients at the Saturday morning Kingston’s Farmers Market. We also got a tour of the town which has an interesting history as it was once the capitol of New York. They also took us on a hike along the Hudson River.

Along the Wallkill rail trail in the middle of the woods is this place that sells food. We sampled their goodies from the outside wood oven. It was very good.

Strong recommendation for the Rip Van Winkle Park for those staying in the Catskills area. It is well run and has a beautiful setting. Mark and Kevin came out for dinner and a campfire. The first real fire this time out.

Ending the visit was a trip to a nearby town, Rosendale for a fun dinner outside (a bit cool but fun). Here are Mark, Jan and Kevin posing for the last family shot. Looking forward to the next time we can get back to Kingston and the Catskills.

Once again it was time to get back on the road heading north. Still a week left on the road before getting back to Michigan.

God Bless,

Larry and Jan