Revolutionary War Sites and more

We spent a relaxing week with out friends, Kent & Karen Hugh. The places we visited added to our memories of exciting travel sites from the past. Our American heritage is interesting and should be visited often. Our thanks goes to Kent for being our guide and getting us everywhere we wanted to go. He was our map specialist and directed our paths. We spent some of our evenings just relaxing with some popcorn and a game of cards. There was a pool, hot tub, and sauna just down the path so we dawned our suits and spent a few minutes in the water. We aren't bathing beauties anymore and there might even have been a snicker or two from others around the pool, but who cares? When you're on vacation you need to do what you want, eat all you can, sleep little, and enjoy the trip, which we did. We even took a trip down the Alpine Slide which is a challenge for old ladies.

Yes, we visited Lake Placid. If snow had blanketed the area we could have gotten the nostalgic feelings that surround the Winter Olympics, but there was still plenty to peek our imaginations even without snow.

Lake George, what a beautiful city and of course the lake was the real treat. Everyday we ate ice cream to go with the mood. It was overcast and rained on a few days, but we weren't cold. Shorts and a jacket were quite enough.

TICONDEROGA

In the background Fort Ticonderoga can be seen.

Here we are entering this awesome place where the French, the British, and the new United States fought for possession. It was a strategic inlet and all owners lost many men, but if you could keep possession of it you had a definite advantage in the battle.

These cannons were heavy and moving them required many men.

The men lived pretty primitive even though they had a roof overhead.

The cannons were every few feet around the top of the Fort.

Ready? Fire!

A gorgeous old stone house close to the Fort.

Kent & Tom are standing on the French fighting field. A long trench is still visible, but now it is covered with grass. You can almost visualize the men in their colorful uniforms nervously waiting for the enemy to approach. Awesome place!

HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE

The Shaker's no longer have members. Their belief in celibacy has made their faith extinct. Converts were needed to keep their organization going, but it just didn't happen. Without a family unit and children how can a religion grow? The men and women were to stay three feet apart at all times and never be alone. In the beginning it worked, but their ending story is rather sad.

Have you ever seen a round barn?
The inside stalls for the animals are round too. Interesting!

The Quarkers used every modern technology available, but this is a machine shop using water to power the machines.

WESTPOINT

This cannon shot is heard each morning and every evening. It is close to the cadet's quarters and not far from the parade grounds.

The cadets are drilling, practicing, or exercising for physical fitness and it is raining. No one seems to care that the weather is bad. Thunder caused us to hurry to the tour bus, but the Army wasn't giving any attention to the weather.

Way to go cadets!

Westpoint is huge. Can you imagine feeding 4,000 cadets at the same time? It is an amazing place and made us proud of our American patriots like George Washington, General Patton, & President Eisenhower who walked these grounds and learned how to defend our country. The Army has our respect and admiration.

The entrance to Westpoint Visitor's Center.
Fenced for security and a tank for ambiance!

NORMAN ROCKWELL

As we looked at his art the stories unfolded and we were amazed at his dedication and talent! He had a wonderful sense of humor and life in his art was exciting and even sad at times. His detailed pictures were the cover page for The Saturday Evening Post, Boys Life, and other magazines.

Our vacation with Karen & Kent Hugh was a time to renew our friendship and enjoy the time together. We have known each other for several years, but employment took the Hughs to Cedar City while we remained in Price. Many years with just Christmas cards exchanged has kept us in touch. This trip was a wonderful opportunity for long visits, good laughs, and story telling of our pasts. We loved it!