I Long for Long Island

The trip home from Lake George was rough, thanks to some classic carsickness that resulted in Annika being hosed off at a gas station.  We needed to change things up, so in honor of Susie, Charles, Christy, Ben, and everyone else who's lived in one Hyde Park or another, we headed to Historic Hyde Park.  If you google Historic Hyde Park, you will get directed to Tampa, Florida, but I'm talking about the one that is north of Poughkeepsie along the Hudson.  This Hyde Park is known as home to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, the first Presidential library, and a Vanderbilt mansion.

We were limited on time, so we only toured FDR's home.  Even that took some courage since it was so very hot.

If you look to the left, you can see FDRs wheelchair.

In general, I'd prefer a small cottage to a mansion, with the exception of a library.

While FDR obviously led a life of privilege, his childhood was also shaped by the fields and woods of the Hudson Valley surrounding him.  A conservationist, he loved being able to gaze out at the Hudson River.  Ironically enough, he probably planted many of the trees that now keep the river hidden from view.

Not a bad place to call home.

Once we were back on Long Island, we headed to the Children's Museum.  While she may not remember, this was not Annika's first visit.  Check out these pictures from our Long Island excursions five years ago.

The last time we were at the Long Island Children's Museum, Aunt Callie was with us.  While she couldn't join us this time (she was finishing up her Master's program at Central Washington University), we were thrilled to have Eila join the fun.

Here's Eli perfecting his construction skills.

Quite prodigious, Annika built all these structures.  (Just kidding, but that would be awesome,)


Our big girls loved the sound room...

...and the climbing area.

Every few hours the museum had an interactive theatrical performance featuring giant ants.




 I thought they were kind of scary looking, but Annika was delighted to help them create their crumb trails.

Last but not least, here's Elia riding the Hands-On Harley.

Yup, it was another great Long Island day.

Speaking of excursions, we took a second trip to Robert Moses beach.  This time our main destination was the Fire Island lighthouse.  In this picture we have Alesia and Eila, Brooklyn's pink hat, and Katelyn's sweet boyfriend Ryan.  (Katelyn's hidden behind Alesia.)  Papa Kay, NomiAnn, Aunt Alison, and the rest of our munchkins also joined the fun.

Afte a bit of trekking, we made it to the lighthouse.

Here's the Fresnel lens that was used from 1858 to 1933.

 Many of us braved the climb all the way to the top of the lighthouse.  Had Annika been any shorter, they wouldn't have let her join us, but she made it by a hair.

The views from the top were pretty amazing.  Here we are looking out toward Kismet.

I saw this message and thought of Jason in far away Utah.

Alesia and Talia

Katelyn, Brooklyn, Talia, and Eli.

Headed back to the beach.

Even on a hot day, Fire Island lighthouse is worth the trip.

Plus when you are done, you still can spend the rest of the day cooling off at the beach.

I don't have many pictures of this beach day, probably because I spent most of my time playing in the water.  It was so warm!  The temperature was perfect, the water was clear, the waves were just the right size, and everyone had a terrific time.

I sure hope we don't wait another five years before our next set of Long Island excursions.