Rosy Ramblings

My day began with a trip to Val-Kill to see Mrs. Doris Mack, who is 97 years young and still greeting visitors. As a young woman, she knew Mrs. Roosevelt. She is a treasure.

Yes, there is more to do here than Roosevelt?? REALLY??

So on a beautiful, sunny, warm day, headed to Poughkeepsie with dear friend, Paul L.We had lunch ( chowder, calamari, wings) at the Icehouse Restaurant. We sat outside along the Hudson.

After lunch, we went to Vassar, walked the grounds and toured. A beautiful campus.

Vassar College Chapel

Vassar Art Center–Highlights

A morning surprise. Fire trucks at Springwood. Apparently an alarm sounded, but no problems.

Love how the sunlight shines on the stone.

100 school kids come to the museum on a Field Trip.

Lunch in Rhinebeck with Dick and Linda at a bistro that once was a Baptist church. Excellent!

Tonight at the Visitors Center, a presentation by

Diane Miller, National Program Manager, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program (NTF)

Before the talk, I had a funny conversation with Paul Sparrow, Director of the Library.

I ran into Paul, who I do seem to run into a lot, and he said laughingly something like, “You seem to be everywhere..are you stalking me?”..I said. Of course…ha-ha

We chatted on and i told him that I was disappointed that I won’t be here on Nov 4 when they will be showing the documentary on Frances Perkins. And then proceeded to tell him about Frances Perkins outfit for my book group and said I would send a photo. And I did… All good for a laugh.

Each morning, I have a set route that I walk across the grounds. This is my daily path. Rather than post photos each day, thought I would do videos instead.

In the morning, there is a stillness, so peaceful, serene, birds chirping.

My favorite time of the day.

Turn the sound up to hear the birds.

Down the Driveway

By Springwood

To the benches

By the Library

To The Gravesite in the Rose Garden

My day began with my walk and I was fortunate to have a Park Ranger take this photo beside FDR’s grave.

I then went to a talk given by Bret Baier of Fox News..I was hesitant but it was fine. He talked about his new book, Three Days at the Brink. The book focuses on the meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin at Tehran. I did not learn anything new, but bought a copy and had it signed. Baier told me that he had once lived in Raleigh and worked at WRAL.

Paul Sparrow, Library Director, introduced Baier.

Then I went to Val-Kill to tour Eleanor’s house. Ducks on the pond at Val-Kill (kill is the Dutch word for stream)

Closing the swimming pool..once used by King George VI.

Inside ER’s house.

Bedroom

Sleeping porch

Dining Room

Living Room. Famous meeting here with JFK in 1960.

Then I did Eleanor’s Loop..and I found my old hiking stick that I had carefully hidden 2 years ago. I did not do the trail to Top Cottage. I did that 2 years ago and once was enough as it is Very steep near the top

This was the “road” from Val-Kill to Top Cottage and was how FDR got to TC.

Left hand on brake/clutch; right hand on accelerator…no hands on the wheel? He was a pretty wild driver.

Then back to the main Historic site and another hike, down behind Springwood in search of a view of the Hudson. I hiked with two young women from Atlanta.

Yes, my hiking pals, we got lost and almost ended up on the 7 mile trail to Vanderbilt.

Sound familiar?😎

FDR loved to drive through these woods and one security station remains.

Finally a view of the Hudson and the Roosevelt Bridge in Poughkeepsie.

View of the back of Springwood from the meadow.

It was a glorious day!

I was on a mission to find out when and where the wonderful FDR photo in the Library lobby was taken. Success!.

I had taken a photo when I visited Campobello and was pretty sure the photo was taken in June 1933. This was FDR’s first visit to Campobello since 1921 when he was diagnosed with polio.

So with the help of Matt who is an Archivist here, I learned that I was correct and that the original photo was taken June 29, 1933. Matt sent me the Full, original photo that is part of the Archives at the FDR Presidential Library.

Archives are Treasures.

Photo in Lobby of FDR Presidential Library

Same photo that I took at Campobello

Original photo from FDR Archives

A rainy afternoon so taking a shortcut through the Visitors Center on the way to the Library, I took note of this saga

Kneeling Woman is now housed in the very back corner of the Visitors Center. Yout have to look really hard to find her. 😉

Reverend Chuck Kramer. Outstanding sermon. “And Yet We Persist “. Delivered without notes. He will send me a copy.

In the Cementary at St. James Episcopal Church

James Roosevelt. FDR’s father.

Rebecca Roosevelt. First wife of James.

Sara Delano Roosevelt. Mother of FDR. After Rebecca died, James married Sara. He was 52; she was 26!

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr. He was the 2d FDR Jr. The first Jr. died as an infant.

Anna Roosevelt. The only daughter of Franklin and Eleanor.

John Roosevelt. The last born of the 6 Roosevelt children. 5 survived to adulthood

FDR built Top Cottage as a place where he could escape from the “mob” at Springwood. He planned to use it as a retreat where he could write his memoirs after leaving the Presidency. A Special Place.

Tour leader, Ranger Mike. Mike was my first contact. He called me after receiving my letter and resume and said they would like to have me. Thank you Mike!

Bathroom issues.

The famous porch

View from the bedroom

Once this was the road from Val-Kill that FDR would use to drive up to the Cottage. Now you can hike up which I did once upon a time..really steep at the top.

So much more I could say…so much..

A chilly morning. 33 degrees and a bit of frost.

In Poughkeepsie

Roosevelt Bridge over the Hudson

Walkway over the Hudson

Lunch overlooking the Hudson