Adventures for Anyone

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Take a Walk on the Wild Side...Ukrainian Adventures!

Many years ago, I visited Kiev and some of the surrounding areas. It was just as the wall was coming down and the August Coup was finishing up. It was at the fall of Communism and the beginning of something that I don't think even the Ukrainians had seen coming--freedom. In recent months there has been a lot of upheaval in this burgeoning country, and I just thought I would look in on some of the things that amazed me in the past and see a little bit about what was going on there. I focused on Kiev and the area, just as I did when I visited in the past. What I found was that even Putin doesn't seem to want to mess with Kiev, which is good. It's still in tact and just as beautiful as always. When I went to Kiev or Kyiv as it's now spelled, I immediately was struck by tradition and beauty that is pretty much unmatched anywhere else in that part of the world except maybe St. Petersburg. This amazing city is the capital of the country and majestically sits on the banks of the Dnieper River, it's full of old churches and other buildings from the times of the Tsars. It has forts, opera houses, museums, and lots of monuments. There are monuments to the royalty, lost soldiers, soviets, wars, and many other things. The beauty and the sights to see never end. You could spend a month in this town and still not see it all.

That being said, it sounds enticing, but what about all those rumors? Crime is out of control. There's a war going on with Russia. The mafia runs the country. The police can't stand up to these people. There's always protests against the government and the occasional overthrow. Well, some of those things are very true. There is the occasional government overthrow, but it's been quiet lately. The war with Russia? I would say leave that to the politicians, because it's really well east of there. Crime? Well, crime is everywhere. I don't know that I worry too much these days, because kids are getting killed at school in America, so how much worse could it really be? All things considered, it's no worse than a going to most major cities around the world. So, don't let all that craziness deter you.

History is something that is alive and well in Kyiv and most of Ukraine. There are outdoor museums letting you see the old ways of life, just like the forts and old towns here. They are wonderful and beautiful and the farm museum is fantastic. I liked taking the city tour that took you to all of the monuments. I liked the botanical gardens. The opera was great. The university was amazing. The churches were terrific. Pretty standard stuff. But, where in Kiev would you find something that fits the Adventures for Anyone ideal?

Well, for one thing, if you wished to go to the opera, would you like to have a date? Well, mail order brides are big business here. There are several agencies that will find a bride for gentlemen from western countries. I'm not joking. Some of the hotels have what we would call mixers almost every Saturday night. Men from all over the world come to find a bride. Most of them are wealthy and older and they know what they want. Here's the kicker. These women are not desperate young girls looking for a sugar daddy. They are intelligent educated women of all ages looking for the right man and a better life. It's one of the biggest businesses in Ukraine these days, and there are many successful marriages that come from these companies. Amazing, yes. But there it is. It's a magical place to meet amazing people that you may want to spend the rest of your life with. Go figure. In a country where we hear nothing but warnings about war and safety, romance is alive and well.

So, if you need a little adventure, or a lot of adventure; and you don't need a wife--Kyiv has something else for you. Chernobyl. I know, right? Well, 7,000 people a year pay to take a tour of Chernobyl and Pripyat. I'm not joking. I guess the Chernobyl Museum in the city just doesn't do the real thing justice. Chernobyl isn't far from Kyiv, about a two hour drive, so you're already pretty close to it all. In that case, why not?

So, here it goes. For a nominal fee there are several companies that will take you for a tour of the ghost town of Pripyat and the area around reactor #4 at Chernobyl. Does that sound creepy enough for you? Well, it gets better. You get to see all the creepiest sights like the park with the Ferris wheel and the school where all the children used to go. You get to go up on the tops of buildings and see all that was laid to waste in the 1986 disaster. You get your own Geiger counter to monitor the radiation, and your guide will tell you if the radiation levels get too high.

No, you don't stay in the vehicles and you don't wear special gear. I'm amazed. The Ukrainians are building a new cap for the reactor which is still dangerous beyond all reason, and the old cap looks like it shouldn't work anymore. Personally, I'm amazed that people go there to sight see. I'm amazed that they are allowed to, although it is closely monitored and you cannot go out there without a licensed guide. So, if you were thinking that you would just take a drive out there, no way. There are guards and they won't let you in.

So, lands that have been reclaimed by the Earth, beautiful cities that have all but risen from the ashes, and all not far from a war zone. Kyiv or Kiev is one of the more interesting places in Eastern Europe. They have all the Soviet Stories to tell and they also preserve history like none other. So, come for the beauty of the city, come to meet a wife, or come to see the destruction that can only come from mankind. There are very few places on Earth where you can see life come full circle.
You'll never visit anyplace like Kyiv.
Enjoy!

http://tour2chernobyl.com/
http://chernobyl-city.com/
http://thevelvetrocket.com/2011/01/31/visiting-chernobyl/
http://www.entouriste.com/visiting-chernobyl/
http://www.ukrainianweb.com/chernobyl_ukraine.htm
http://mapofeurope.com/ukraine-war-map/
https://www.ukrainebridesagency.com/
http://www.kievconnections.com/
http://ads.step2love.com/bing/
http://www.ukranianwomendating.com/?afid=26967
http://www.anastasiadate.com/
http://www.rosebrides.com/brides/ukrainian/kiev-brides-2.html
http://www.bridesofukraine.com/
http://daisybride.com/
http://www.brideukraine.com/
http://elite-bride.com/
http://bride-forever.com/
http://www.kiev.info/
http://www.visitkievukraine.com/attractions/
http://www.traveltoukraine.org/
http://www.ukraine.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ukraine/kyiv
http://pripyat.com/en
http://www.rivercruise.com/dnieper_river.cfm
http://www.inyourpocket.com/kyiv/Kyiv-Beaches_56038f
http://www.ukraine.com/museums/folk-architecture-and-life/
http://xenophon-mil.org/ukraine/kiev/kievmus.htm
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
http://terri-dixon.artistwebsites.com/
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

That's Right...Football, American Style!

They are the NFL, and the NFL is one of the most watched sports in this country. Sure, around the world they call soccer football, but even in England, that's changing a bit. Why would I bring up such a thing? Simple. I grew up on football, and as anyone who knows me, I am a die hard Green Bay Packers fan. But, let's not just talk Packers, because I could do that for a week. Let's talk about why you should take the time and the money to go and see a real live NFL game.

Here's the thing. Now, I haven't been to a football game lately, but this last summer, I took my son to see the Indians play baseball in Cleveland. It was a great night. So, here's something that I remember from my youth. Going to see a professional sport with your family is something that everyone should do. My son has been to NASCAR races and baseball games. I'm hoping to go out to see hockey and football before he finishes school. Sometimes I think that we all get so caught up in our daily lives and doing whatever else it is we do, and we forget some of the things that made this country great. So, put down the Fantasy Football. Our sports, whether it be basketball, snowboarding, baha racing, boxing, or whatever is something that people from other countries come here to see. It's a shame to think that anyone would go a lifetime without seeing at least one game, and our biggest this time of year is football. We have 32 professional teams full of exceptional athletes and every single stadium comes complete with crazed die hard fans that make going there an unforgettable experience.

Football has been around since the 1920's in this country, and it's finally starting to make it's mark in other places. Every year the NFL now holds a game in London. It's part of the world of football now and it is a regular season game. 50 years ago the league got together and created the Super Bowl which is now one of the most watched sporting events anywhere. I do have to step in here and tell you that as a proud Packers fan we never stop mentioning the fact the Green Bay won the very first Super Bowl and the trophy is called the Lombardi Trophy after Green Bay's most legendary coach. But, all that aside, football is an amazing phenomenon.

Super Bowl Rings are some of the most expensive jewelry in the world. Every player on the team gets one when they win a Super Bowl, including the coaching staff. That's a lot of gems and a lot of gold. But the Super Bowl also brings some of the world's top performers for half time, and some of the year's most expensive advertising space and expensive commercials. The advertising spots on the Super Bowl are some of the most sought after spots of the year, and advertisers pull out all the stops and put their very best out there in order to get a spot. More people watch the Super Bowl on television than watch almost anything else in the world.

The NFL has created its own network to show games, shows, special programming, biographies and whatever. The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are some of the most famous cheerleaders the world has ever known. They make special appearances and all kinds of things. It's amazing the money that the NFL handles and all of the projects, charities and other things that they support and sponsor.

But, most kids have a hero. My current one is Clay Matthews, but you can choose your own. The thing is that even if everyone in the house cheers for a different team as my household does, it makes for great family time every week at home. Now, here's what I have to say about going to a game. Most of us live within a reasonable distance from some stadium or another. The experience of being part of that crowd with your family. Being there with the excitement and the crazy merchandise, and the tailgating, and the crowds. That feeling that you get when you're not just hearing a couple of talking heads discuss every little thing about each team, but you're seeing it all for yourself. That moment when your kids put down the smart phones. The yelling and screaming and cheering and doing the wave and whatever. Go out and do that with your family, even if it's just once. Stand proud for the singing of the national anthem. It will be a day you won't forget.

The guys that we see on the field playing football are celebrities. They become spokesmen for all kinds of things. But, let's not forget all the charity work they do as well. The NFL is deep in Play 60, The United Way, Breast Cancer Awareness and so much more. A lot of players and a lot of teams have foundations that support numerous causes. If you're looking for someone that your kids can look up to in addition to yourself, football produces a lot of good heroes.

So, you may not get to go to the Super Bowl. But I highly recommend going to see an NFL game live. It can cost as little as $27 a ticket. Now, that does depend on where you go, where you wish to sit, which teams are playing, and many other factors. There are many sites that you can visit to get tickets that are legitimate. I recommend the NFL exchange, but there are others. What can I say? Sports is a great way to get the family together and have a really great time at an exciting event. It's easier than taking your kids to a concert, because football is timeless unlike music. A lot of teams have event weekends where they do things with the fans. That can be a lot of fun. A lot of teams have a hall of fame to go through as well. There are so many things to do, that everyone will have fun. The crowds at any sporting event are great to watch, even if you don't really like sports. And for those of you out there who say that you don't like sports and wouldn't want to pay to watch it in person; just wait and see how wrapped up in it you get. When I was young and had to go to my first Bengals game, I didn't really even understand football. I knew that my grandma loved the Packers, so I said I was a Packers fan, but I didn't pay attention to or understand the game. After I left that game, I was hooked. I've been watching football ever since. Take the time and take the family to a game. It's the experience of a lifetime.
Enjoy!

http://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/NFL/default.aspx?Keyword=nfl%20tickets&GCID=1461&GCID=1461&keyword=nfl%20tickets
http://www.stubhub.com/nfl-tickets/grouping/121/?creative=150788275&query=nfl+tickets&keyword=11031673827&gcid=C12289x021
https://seatgeek.com/nfl-tickets?aid=566&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=r.search.yahoo.com&fr=ymyy-t-999&hspart=att&hsimp=yhs-att_001
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http://www.ticketliquidator.com/nfl.aspx
http://www.ticketmaster.com/nfl
http://www.nfl.com/
http://espn.go.com/nfl/
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl
http://www.nflshop.com/
http://www.nfl.com/international
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/superbowl/
http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history
http://www.nflfoundation.org/
http://www.nfl.com/pink
http://www.nflrush.com/play60/
https://secure.unitedway.org/page/s/united-way-team-nfl
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https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-5-best-nfl-stadiums-to-visit
http://www.enduringwanderlust.com/best-nfl-stadiums-to-visit/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
http://terri-dixon.artistwebsites.com/
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

Monday, September 28, 2015

Oh, The Side Trips of Italy

I don't know of anyone who hasn't dreamed of traveling in Italy. I've always wanted to drive my Ferrari along the Amalfi Coast and see the ruins created by Vesuvius at Pompeii. I've longed to look out over the Mediterranean Sea and swim in it's clear azure waters. But, I digress. Just off the south tip of the Bay of Naples lies the Island of Capri. This is a great spot.

There are several ways to reach Capri. There are ferry boats from several locations such as Amalfi, Sorrento, Naples, Salerno and more. It's not far off the mainland. It was once part of the mainland, but the limestone that forms the island eroded and now it is disconnected from the mainland. The fact that the island of Capri is in fact currently an island leads to its being very different from the mainland. Things are far more easy going on the island. One of the boat companies is called relax.

So, Capri is full of history. Parts of it are reportedly used in Homer's Odyssey. It's covered in rugged peaks and limestone cliffs and spires rising right up out of the sea. It is a playground for the rich, but you don't have to be rich to enjoy it. You can take a boat tour around the island for a day coming in from the mainland for around 20 Euros. It's not all about the rich. There are also some reasonably priced accommodations on the island, and you can rent scooters to get around.

So, what to do in Capri. Boat tours that stop at various points around the island are very popular. You can sail, take a yacht, take a tour boat, rent a private boat, or bring your own boat. There are a lot of options. One of the most popular stops on boat tours is the Blue Grotto. This is a cave and inside the conditions make it reportedly some of the bluest water in the world.

Now, the Blue Grotto is a stop on any tour. It is a separate activity. Just outside the grotto is where you start your tour for that. There are guides who will take you from the boat you came in on and put you in a four person boat specially designed for this trip. You go through a very low opening in the rock and into the cavern on the other side. It's not for everybody, because some may be claustrophobic or something, but it is an Adventure for Everyone. It's the bluest water you'll ever see, and it's one of the most famous grottoes around.

Most boat tours take you all around the island with stops at grottoes, land marks, parks, towns, and all that. Some of them take you to the lighthouse, the Villa San Michele, various beaches and rock formations and ports. By and large, the boat tours are the most popular activities on the island.

There are land activities as well. One of the more popular destinations is the top of Mount Solaro. It's about 1,500 feet up and you can climb it and get some stunning views of the mainland and the sea. It's some of the more gorgeous views you'll ever see. The best part about this one is that if you aren't in the mood to climb a mountain, you can take the chair lift up. I like those options.

But, if you take the chair lift up, try to walk down. All over Capri are amazing walkways that have stunning views and unique things to see along the way. Going down Mount Solaro, you have some historic places where you can stop and look around and a plethora of amazing views. There aren't a lot of cars on the tiny island, so this is a great time to take advantage of the air and the freedom that you have on foot.

Most of the more interesting sites can be reached in part by boat. Capri is not a large island and has only two towns on it. But, if you are coming ashore, consider renting a scooter. There are roads, once again with amazing views around the island and between the cities of Capri and Anacapri. If you're not comfortable on a scooter, then pretty much stick to the boat. Most things are accessible in part by them. In Capri, there's even a funicular that takes you from the port up to the town proper and back. It's all pretty convenient.

Can you stay on Capri? Yes. There are a wide variety of accommodations on the island. There are more expensive than not expensive, so check with a travel agent or a large website like Hotels.com or Wow. Sunset on the Mediterranean is not to be missed. If you stay, you will love the view. Make sure that you are somewhere that you can see the sunset when it happens. And bring your camera. Phone cameras are nice, but a place like Capri deserves a really good camera.

Capri is a place to come and enjoy the view, the food, the arts, and shopping for those who like to spend a lot of money on the best of the best. It's got it's own style and set it apart from the rest of Italy. It's more laid back there and you can take some time to just soak up the sun at a beach with a stunning view. It's a short trip from the mainland as well. What's my favorite part of going to Capri? It's the whole package. I've always wanted to visit Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. Well, that's where you catch the ferry from. Then you go to an amazing island that's famous for the bluest water in the world, take a chair lift up to a mountain top with amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea, take the ancient walkways back down stopping at historical sites, rent a scooter to drive around the island, and take a boat tour around the island. Visit the Blue Grotto, dine along a cliff, stay in a comfortable hotel with a view of the sea, and then take the funicular back down to the ferry launch and head on back to mainland Italy. What a great side trip while in Italy. It should not be missed. If you are booking a guided tour, which is recommended if you've never been to Italy, you can get one that includes a trip to Capri.
Enjoy!

http://www.capri.com/en/s/tour-of-the-island#
http://www.capritourism.com/en/index
http://www.capri.net/en/s/tour-of-the-island
http://www.capri.net/en/e/top-ten-capri
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http://www.caprirelaxboats.com/
http://www.giannisboat.com/
http://www.italyguides.it/en/campania/isle-of-capri
http://www.goaheadtours.com/tours/italy/?popup=italy&utm_content=hover&mkwid=sfggW7Nt_dc&pcrid=5514586997&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=GAT_Italy_Country%2B2&utm_term=[italyan%20travel%20agency]&mt=b&utm_medium=cpc&utm_group=Italy_Travel
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http://www.toursbylocals.com/Sorrento-and-Capri-Tours?s=BA_01_049B_%2Btour%20%2Bin%20%2Bcapri&utm_source=MSAC&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=01_049B
http://www.zicasso.com/luxury-vacation-italy-tours/best-italy-tour-rome-amalfi-coast-island-capri-and-tuscany
http://www.capri.com/en/ferry-schedule
http://www.booking.com/region/it/capri.en.html?aid=804982;label=yahoog-capri-fhp1UeF31lOjiBvahJzjbA&utm_source=yahoo-gemini&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=region-italy-1434-capri&utm_term=hotels%20capri%20italy-e
http://www.hotels.com/de712925/hotels-capri-italy/
http://www.hostels.com/capri/italy?source=binghc
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http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://terri-dixon.artistwebsites.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Ten Amazing Things That Everyone Should Check Out

I've been known to do some amazing things in my life, and I love it when I have a truly great experience or see something absolutely breathtaking for any given reason. I've talked for years about how I got to sit on top of the Berlin Wall, go to church with Pope John Paul II in St. Petersburg, tour Wielickza Salt Mine in Poland, meet the Havasupai Indians in the Grand Canyon, and visit Piz Gloria on top of the Schilthorn in Switzerland. But, just in case you wanted to know, here are ten great adventures and amazing sites that you may not even know about that may just pique your interest.

1. Carhenge: North of Alliance, Nebraska along Highway 87 at the edge of the Sandhills sits this truly American replica of the monoliths the have been attracting visitors to England for centuries. The attraction is free and if you happen to be in Nebraska, then this is a great thing to do. Nebraska is one of those places that is out of the way, and not overrun by tourists. Just the idea that you would be there is some kind of adventure, so this addition will make it truly great.

2. Cadillac Ranch: Route 66 just screams with nostalgia for Americans. Cadillac Ranch's iconic half buried Cadillacs are standing not far from Amarillo on Route 66 exactly where they were planted in 1974. The best part about this attraction is that the tradition is to bring a spray can and add your own artwork to the cars. Leave your mark and let the world know that you were there, along the way on Route 66.

3. Armourgeddon: England has a lot of hisotry, but once in a while they come up with something that sounds like smashing great fun. So, here it is, paintball with real life tanks. You take your friends and choose teams, choose tanks, and take off for the world's most massive game of paintball. For 95 pounds you can join your friends for 2 hours of paintball. There are other adventures with tanks too.

4. Explor Mexico: About half an hour's travel time outside of Cancun you will find a one of a kind park. It's true they do have zip lines, amphibious drives, kayaking through caves and all kinds of other stuff, but here's the thing that they have that you won't find anywhere else. It's a water slide, but not just any water slide. You take zip lines half a mile to get to the slide. Then, you go down this several hundred foot long mountain water slide and land inside an amazing cave. Just in case you thought you'd seen it all in Cancun, you might have missed one.

5. Tropical Islands Indoor Waterpark: I've talked about this one and I still want to go. In between Berlin and Dresden in central Germany sits the world's biggest indoor waterpark inside the world's largest free standing building. Built to take care of dirigibles, this old hangar has been transformed into an entire resort area with shopping, restaurants, hotels, clubs, spas, and yes; a huge waterpark. You feel like you've gone to the Caribbean when you're here, and you can go for as little as 30 pounds. They are open year round, so it makes winter fabulous.

6. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway: It's the world's highest elevation train crossing sections of the Himalayas on it's way from China to the province of Tibet. If you don't feel like climbing Everest, this is one of the best alternatives with some of the best views anywhere. You can catch train connections to this train from all over China like Shanghai and Beijing. The prices are very reasonable, and it's the train experience of a lifetime.

7. Heavy Equipment Playground: Pack your bags for Las Vegas, Nevada. There's always something unusual there, because craziness is some of what that city is famous for. This one is great, because you get to play with heavy equipment. For as little as $249 you can play with these toys. You get some training on usage and safety and then you get to go out on a big dig. It's a lot of fun, and it's just one more great thing to do in Vegas, baby.

8. The Nurburgring: The NASCAR experience and Richard Petty Driving Schools and such are well known, but there's a place in Germany between Bonn and Franfurt where you can just go crazy. You can bring a car or do a ride along in a race car. There are a lot of things you can do at the Nurburgring. They have a whole schedule of events for visitors. If you love cars and racing, this is your spot.

9. Adventure Aquarium: What could you possibly do in Camden, New Jersey? Well, it turns out that you can swim with sharks. That's right, for $185 you can spend 1 hour and 45 minutes getting up close and personal with these amazing creatures. You will spend about half that time getting instructed on how to swim and interact with the fish, but you will get to be up close and personal with wild sharks.

10. Idabel: I've talked about this one before too. Idabel is a tiny submarine used by researcher and captain Carl Stanley for many years to study underwater life off the coast of Roatan Island in Honduras. What does that mean to us? Well, we can go for a trip in Idabel. Captain Stanley will take tourists down on a real life submarine dive to see what the world looks like up to 2,000 feet underwater. It is the only place in the world where you can do this, so get down there and do it.

So, there's ten more great adventures and great sites to see. I've said it for years, if you get the chance to do something amazing and unforgettable, do it. Sometimes you need to go because you can, sometimes you need to go because that's when it's happening, sometimes you need to go before it's too late. Don't wait to get out there and see and do. You might miss something incredible.
Enjoy!

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https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts

Monday, September 21, 2015

There's Almost Nothing New Along the Hudson, and That's a Good Thing!

For years, my husband and I have talked about checking out the Culinary Institute of America or the CIA. We finally got a reservation this weekend for lunch and got up early for our weekend away in order to get there on time. It turned out that it was finals weekend and all of our food was graded for graduation. How cool is that?

We ate at the Bocuse Restaurant which is one of several restaurants on campus. It was some fabulous fine dining. I won't lie, it costs to do it, but it is so worth it. Whoever made our meals, I hope got all A's. The amazing part about the restaurant for me is that you can watch them cooking in the kitchen. That's how we discovered that they were all being graded that day, because we could watch the teacher checking all the food before it left the kitchen. We both had the lobster trio which was amazing. I tried Ceviche, and it was great. My husband had an amazing corn soup. I had what was called the Chocolate Variation and my hubby had Pear Charlotte for desert. All amazing. Then we stopped in the bookstore and picked up some great items for our own kitchen including some Tandoori seasoning that I intend to use soon.

So, we decided to walk off that amazing lunch with a trip up the road to the Vanderbilt Mansion. We strolled the gardens which were designed in grand Italian fashion. Francis Vanderbilt was a horticulturist and he and his gardener enjoyed the outdoors more than most of the folks who visited the cabin by the Hudson. Mr. Vanderbilt even had escapes built in so that he could escape the crowds in the house and go outside. His gardener, Mr. Shears, was such a good friend and loyal employee that he inherited the house by the garden when the Vanderbilt's passed on. The grounds are still vast today, and the public is invited to enjoy them every day.

The mansion is one of the smallest of the 43 mansions built by the Vanderbilts in this country. It only had five guest bedrooms. It only had six floors. It only had 14 bathrooms and a staff of 20 to run it. These Vanderbilts had no children, so when they passed the main property went to their favorite niece who wanted to sell it because it was so small. FDR and the National Parks finally bought it for $1. Mrs. Vanderbilt was a huge fan of French design, which is why her bedroom looked like Marie Antoinette's. The best part of this mansion is that most of the interior is original. Nothing was removed from the house and most things remain today. The house did have indoor plumbing and electricity even though it was built in the late 1800's. The Vanderbilt's went there in the spring and fall to get away from the city.

We did a lot of things on our weekend along the Hudson, and believe me, almost nothing was new. The Hudson Valley is full of historic mansions. A bunch of them belonged to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. But all of the elite followed the Vanderbilts up the river and there are mansions all over the place. I will be checking them out over time. On Sunday, after we took a walk across the Hudson, which is one of the newer ideas on the river even though it was made from an old railroad bridge. I love the views up there and this time we went twice and got a sunset view and a morning view. It was great. But before we headed home, we went to Rhinebeck and went to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. If you like old planes, this is your spot. If you like air shows, well, here you go. These guys have many hangars full of antique planes and other antiques. They call it a museum. But they also have an old time airfield and since 1958 they've been doing air shows every weekend all summer long. So, you can walk around and see everything from the French version of the Wright Flyer to a Sopwith Camel. We had a great time, and they had to cancel the show because of the wind. But, they still flew a couple of planes for us and there happened to be a car show that day, so they had an antique car parade as well. I didn't get to take a ride in the biplane, but I will go back. It was still a good time.