We saw the Roosevelt National Monument, home and Museum yesterday, today we’re going to tour Eleanor Roosevelt’ home at Val-Kill, a short ways from the Monument. Roosevelt built this for Eleanor to be her home - away from the family home where his mother reigned supreme. When he died, she used this home almost exclusively. However, it is closed today and tomorrow - for some special work. 2 days out of the year and one of these was the day we had chosen. Oh, well. Plan B.
It’s off to the Vanderbilt mansion just a few miles from the Roosevelt Home. Larger and much more ornate.
Let’s go back a generation or two. Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794 - 1877) took a $100 loan from his parents and built a mighty shipping and railroad empire worth millions. He left it to his eldest son, William, who doubled the fortune in just 8 years but his children almost dissipated it all in lives of extravagance and luxury. They built 40 mansions and lived lives of opulence, largely depleting the family money. All except Frederick who actually increased his share and died worth close to what would be $1.2 billion. This is the house he built overlooking the Hudson River. It had electricity, indoor plumbing and all the newest technological gadgets.
Love this sink.
You can see the gilding in the home.
On the other hand, the Vanderbilt's were very good to work for: they had a medical plan for their servants. schooling, they paid not the customary $.50 an hour but $1.50 and had waiting lists of people wanting to work for them. The had Christmas parties for the town ensuring that all the children of the village got presents. He was a good employer and good neighbor and good citizen. In the process he had 40 servants working in the home. I liked the display they had in the house of who they were and their job in the home.
Ah, it’s time to head home but we have one last stop on our trip: the Culinary Institute of America or the CIA as it is more customarily known, the world’s premier culinary college. But, we’re interested in the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe for lunch.
Beautifully decorated, the service was impeccable and the food - OMG. Gary and I thought it wonderful.
We got a turkey club with sweet potato fries and topped that off with a piece of their apple crumb pie. Luckily the pie came first - you know the old saying: ‘Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.’
In the student store is a variety of cooking utensils - I just found pens and pencils at Iowa State University when I attended. Those colorful items on the lower shelf are cutting boards.
Sated, we’re off. Oh, let’s get one last picture on this sunny day of the bridge we walked yesterday when it was overcast. This time, let’s use the elevator. Cool elevator with windows on 3 sides so you can take in the view on the way up and down. Up to the top,
get a picture of the bridge from underneath,
get a picture of the Hudson River on a sunny day,
and it’s time to head on down.
OOPS. the doors won’t shut. Sure enough - we got stuck in the elevator for at least 1 1/2 hours along with the operator while she called the Park Manager who called the elevator company for help.
Might as well relax.
Hey, they finally cranked the elevator down and we were free.
Then, as we were walking away, the Park Manager came out: the police wanted our names for their ‘accident report.’ Oh, great, we’ll now be on the Poukeepsie Police Blotter.
The police blotter? I’ve never been in a police blotter. It’s all part of the adventure.
‘Advice for the day: If you have a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle: Take two, and keep away from children.’
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