The Roosevelts, The Vanderbilts and The CIA

May 18-23:    We have had some beautiful sunny weather and a range of temperatures.  Our time spent at marinas in Hyde Park and Kingston has brought us in contact with interesting people, history and culinary delights. 

Lunch at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in Hyde Park was memorable for the setting, impeccable if somewhat stoic service and delicious food.  The combination of flavors, each ingredient distinct and complimentary, and the beautiful presentation were definitely 5-Star.  There are three restaurants, a brewpub and a bakery on the premises.  We ate at American Bounty and brought home a pastry each from Apple Pie bakery.  YUM!

  

Next stop is Kingston NY where we will spend some time to tour.  Plus, Kaptain Karl needs to do some diagnostics on our engine's air-intake system, order parts and install them ... what fun!  Our cruise up river to Kingston was initially overcast but pleasant, we decided to run at trawler speed, about 6.5 knots, to enjoy the area as well as dodge debris, mostly logs and tree branches, that clutter this region of the Hudson.  Eventually we pass Esopus Lighthouse built in 1872, then a few miles later we entered the historic Kingston waterfront.  

 

 

 









A rental car has facilitated leisurely visits to the estates of Vanderbilt and Roosevelt, the Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage.  The Vanderbilt Estate is being rehabbed and only the beautiful grounds are open to the public.  

Those who lived through the Great Depression and the Roosevelt years know history first hand.  Through the exhibits and film, we were reacquainted with what we learned from our parent’s stories, in history class, and PBS documentaries.  When Roosevelt was told if his New Deal did not turn around the economy, he might not win a second term, he replied that if he could not turn around the economy, he might be the last American President.  Populist movements in Europe brought Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and Franco to power.  Until the New Deal   there were no social safety nets, no FDIC, unemployment insurance or Social Security.  Here we are in 2017, a divided country, attempting to re-litigate social contracts and the role of government.  A worthy discussion if we would just open our ears and minds to listen to the other point of view.

FDR's Home:  Springwood

Springwood (side view)

Gardner's Cottage

Stable

Stable (side view)

Freedom Court

The sculpture (center background) Breakfree by Edwina Sandys, grand daughter of British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill, created two sculptures out of a large concrete section of the Berlin Wall.

The highlight for both of us was the tour of Val-Kill, the home of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, and watching home movies of the Roosevelt’s picnics and swim parties with dignitaries and family.  It is astounding that, in this humble cottage, Winston Churchill, Prime Minister Nehru of India, Queen Wilhelmina of Netherlands and Ethiopia’s Haile Selassie all came calling.  In 1960, JFK came seeking Eleanor’s support for his candidacy for President of the United States.  Eleanor agreed only after Kennedy pledged to advance civil rights.  We were surprised to learn that Eleanor argued against Japanese Internment during WWII and that she made four trips to the Middle East attempting to broker peace between Israel and her neighbors.    

WALKWAY over The Hudson, Poughkeepsie NY.  The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge was destroyed by fire in 1974, re-built and re-opened in 2009 as a pathway for walking, running and cycling.  The views from 212 feet above the River are lovely. 

If asked if you ever "picked your feet in Poughkeepsie, the answer is an emphatic “NO”, otherwise it may get you arrested, or a punch in the nose.  This quote was taken from the infamous Detective Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) during interrogation in the film French 

Connection.