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August 06, 2017 - 12:35 a.m.
"fdr's house" or "weekend adventure, day one"

Hey Journal!

It's been a long day but we are upstate, in Poughkeepsie, and we're off to a great start on our adventure weekend. This morning I got up at 7:30am which was quite early for me. I wanted to sleep for another three hours or so... but alas, that was not quite possible.

I got my act together and then left here around 8:00 to head to Linda's house. I arrived at 8:30 and they finished getting ready, we loaded up the car, and then we headed to LaGuardia airport to pick up Dan!

Dan's flight was scheduled to land at 9:02 and I figured he would need some time to collect his luggage. His plane landed about 20 minutes early, so we arrived shortly after he had already gotten his stuff and he was waiting for us at the curb.

We picked him up, and the we were on our way! It actually worked out well because the airport was right on our route upstate and we didn't lose time.

After that, we head to make a quick stop for gas. We filled up, and then headed up. We went back and forth on what we should do first but I thought we should go to the FDR house first because tours book up quickly.

We arrived there at just about 12:00 and we went into the visitor's center to get our tickets. Dan's National Park Annual Pass was good for the house tour so we didn't have to pay for that. We did have to pay for the entrance to the library and museum which is operated by the National Archives!

When we got on line, the 1:30 tour was being booked. There were spots available but the lady who rang us up was a new worker and she wasn't quite sure what she was doing. By the time she got it all figured out, the 1:30 was full and we had to do the 2:30 instead.

While we waited for the tour, we went to the museum/library. It was a pretty cool place. I had done it before with my mom and Dan, but I didn't really remember much of it. There was also a special exhibit on the Japanese Internment. As we were walking around it I couldn't help but think how weird it is that we learn almost nothing about this really crazy thing that happened right here at home.

Anyway, after the museum, we walked around the rose garden and saw the grave of FDR. Coincidentally, the FDR gravesite is a Pokemon Gym. There was a Quilava raid going on so Connor and I did it.

Next up, we headed back to the Visitor's Center and got some food before our tour. Dan and I split a chipwich and a pink lemonade.

The tour started promptly at 2:30 and we had a nice guide who took us over to the house, gave us some important background info, and then we went inside. The house was really cool. I think it's really fascinating to think that it really wasn't THAT long ago that the house was occupied by FDR and to imagine that he just walked through those doors into his own house and it wasn't a museum, it wasn't a tourist attraction. It was HIS house!

After the tour was lingered out on his back lawn and enjoyed the view while Connor and Cameron filled out their Junior Ranger books.

We went back to the VC on the way out and they were sworn in! It was great because as they were doing it a crowd formed and when they finished reciting the oath, so many people were clapping like crazy! It was nuts. I was shocked! lol

Before we left, we booked a hotel. Surprisingly all of the good hotels and suites nearby were booked solid. We wound up getting a room at the Hampton Inn in Poughkeepsie but it was kinda expensive and wasn't even a suite like we had wanted.

When we left, we went to the Walkway Over the Hudson. We parked and walked halfway across. We took the elevator ride to check out the view and then we headed back to the car.

We went to the hotel, checked in, and then we got settled in and went down to enjoy the pool! I wanted to go in the hot tub but it was SOOO small and there were three people in it and it was at capacity! I went in the regular pool for a while and then, once there was room, I went over to the hot tub! It was really warm and very nice. Connor and Cameron went back and forth a few times.

After the pool, I showered up and we got ready to go out to dinner. We went around 8:30 or so to he Cracker Barrell. It was very good -- I was craving the chicken and dumplings but I wanted to try the Campfire Beef. It was really good and I'm happy with my choice. Dan got steak and eggs and that looked incredible, too! Earlier, we stopped at Target and I got some Cracker Barrel gift cards so we could save 5%!

Cameron wasn't feeling well at Cracker Barrell so she didn't eat much. She had a little soup and some water. On the way home, she said she wasn't feeling well in the car and asked for a plastic Target bag. We tried to make her feel better...opened the windows and stuff, but she threw up. Surprisingly,she wasn't crying or anything and she must have thrown up a LOT! The bag was SO FULL. It was gross. When we got back to the hotel, she and Dan got out of the car right in front and went inside. Dan ditched the bag in the garbage out front! Yikes.

Then we went inside, got ready for bed, and Linda, Dan, and I had some drinks before bed. Cameron fell right to sleep and Connor was playing some games. We hung out, and then eventually we were all so exhausted. Now we're off to bed!

Adventures continue tomorrow...we're planning for mini golf in the morning!

Until tomorrow...

Goodnight. :)