Ramblings, Sept 18

A busy day, which started by my walk down the driveway from Springwood to the Albany Post Road, which is about 1/2 mile total.  FDR’s goal was to make that walk on crutches, but he was only able to go about half way down the drive.

Then I did my good deed for the day.  I flagged down a tram for an elderly lady who was sitting on the Library steps and need a ride to Springwood for the tour.

Met with Park Ranger Mike A, signed papers to make me “legal”.  I then went on Tour 1 of Springwood, the home of FDR.

Next, a quick trip to the Vanderbilt Estate to meet Mike and pick up my to pick up my volunteer outfit…cap, shirt, jacket.

In the afternoon, I met with Cliff L, National Archives, and we talked about setting up training to be a docent in the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.  I hope we can work out that schedule this week.

The afternoon ended with Tour 2 of Springwood. I am getting pretty good and understanding how to pace the tour. We start at the Visitor’s Center, then to the Library, then to the grave site, and finally to Springwood, and go inside and tour the 1st and 2nd floor.  The tour last 1 hour..

Tours end with this view across the Hudson Valley.

Tomorrow morning, I am to meet at 8:45 with the Park Rangers at the “Gingerbread” House where they are stationed and then go on another tour, maybe 2.  Interesting to see how different tour leaders proceed.  There is no script.  I hope to train this week, and be ready to go next week. They run 7-8 tours daily.