FL340
Alaska flight 7, now somewhere over western PA
Well, this is it - we're winging our way westward, on our way home from an epic adventure. Im writing this on the plane and don't have an easy way of transferring any pictures, so this is in boring plain text. Today, of course, the sun came out, and I didn't use the windshield wipers at all. Ah well, that's the way it goes, eh?
It was interesting and fun to be in the West Point area on the weekend of graduation. That's a big deal at any college, of course, but at a service academy, it's pretty special. We saw several families at our hotel who were there for graduation, accompanied by well-groomed young folk. I wish them all well, even if my own feelings about armed conflicts are, well, conflicted. I support a strong defense; I'm conflicted about unprovoked offense. Anyway.....
We were staying only about 12 miles from West Point, on the opposite side of the Hudson. After a breakfast of proper bagels, we set out across the Newburgh-Beacon bridge, then proceeded south on highway 9W. The road climbs up above the river, offering tantalizing peeks and vistas. At one point, I did catch sight of the academy, but wasn't in a position to pull over for a longer view. Oh well.
We exited the highway into Highland Falls, the "gateway" as it were to the academy. Had a little bit of confusion over the GPS vs. the signs off the highway, but we soon found the Visitors Center and Museum. Wondered if it would be open, but not to wonder - it most certainly was. All those families in town! And, lots of Asian tourists, too. We toured the exhibits in the center, which offered displays and explanation of USMA life. We also checked out the nearby museum, with its history of the US Army. Overheard a father, who was pointing out a sword from the 1800s, explaining to his daughter "that's like the sword of Gryffindor". Whatever makes it accessible, I guess!
It was pretty cool to get a glimpse of the USMA. I have family connections to the USAFA in Colorado Springs, so I've been there. And, I saw the Naval Academy as a kid. Again, whatever one's feelings about warfare, the military, etc, theres no denying the history of a place like West Point.
We got back on the road, headed eventually to Newark Airport. Highway 9W is a favorite of Bicyclists in these parts, and for good reason, It's a wide, winding highway, going up and down and through the trees. Being a fine Sunday afternoon, there were a lot of cyclists.
Stopped for lunch, and made it a quick one to get back to the airport, with time to gas up the car, etc. To expedite, we jumped onto the New Jersey Turnpike, and I got to experience using a Service Area - the gas station/rest area/fast food/pause in the road so you don't have to jump off and onto a toll road to get what you need. And, this was the Vince Lombardi service area, too. "Fueling isnt everything, its the only thing!". New Jersey has a mini-service law, which means someone else pumps your gas, and there were a lot of cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc, who all needed gas! We got out of there, and then it was a quick hop to EWR.
So now, reflection. I'm so grateful we could make this trip. I'm so grateful we travel well together! I was struck, continually, on how beautiful everything was - different from what I'm accustomed to, but still very pretty. We had but a taste of everywhere, and I would like to go back to just about everywhere. I look forward to spending more time someday. (And oh, the lobster!)
Some rough stats:
Miles traveled by car: roughly 4,300. (Really!!)
States visited: Eight
Provinces: three
Hotels: Fifteen
Airports
Visited: too many to remember now!
So, for now, thanks for reading, and thanks for coming along for the ride! From somewhere (now) over Wisconsin, this is Kit and Nancy, signing off.
Cheers,
Kit and Nancy
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