{Girls Trip} And, We're Off!

Off on another fun adventure...

While our boy is off on an abbreviated study abroad in Scotland, the girls and I decided to take a little road trip up to New York City, with Hubby planning to fly in for a long weekend...

We made a few stops at some unique little free libraries to drop off some books...

and made a quick stop to eat at Isaac's Deli, one of our favorite nostalgic spots...

We arrived at Uncle B and Aunt E's house, our home away from home, late tonight and are ready to get to sleep in anticipation of a BIG day tomorrow...

More FUN to come!

{Spring Break} Cousins, VPs, and Crossing the Mason-Dixon Line!

After a l-o-o-o-o-o-n-g day in New York City yesterday, we took it easy this morning and slept in...

We had originally planned to get the bulk of driving (back to South Carolina) done today, but severe storms up and down the east coast kept us cautious.

Once we got on the road, we headed straight to Hastings-on-Hudson, NY to visit with family, Hubby's brother, his wife, and their 2 children. The kids had fun playing tag and climbing trees...

before we came inside and celebrated a couple of birthdays...my sister-in-law's (last week), her mother's (next week), and mine (tomorrow)!

From there, we continued south toward New Jersey and Pennsylvania to visit a couple more Vice Presidents, but before we could do that, I had to do this!

Wait...what?!?!?

A little background... I don't drive in Manhattan... Like, my good friend will go to extremes to route me around it in a very "out of the way" manner in order to make sure that I do NOT have to drive in Manhattan when heading to her house in Connecticut (when driving through the upper tip of Manhattan IS the fastest and most direct way)...

I did it once (out of necessity) and continue to be very proud of myself for making it all the way in to my brother-in-law's (now former) apartment on the Upper West Side...

But, anywho...back to today...  Make that TWICE now that I've driven into Manhattan...and no, I'm not looking for any "three time's a charm" business here...  Happy to leave it at TWO!

AND after that, I drove over the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey...just like that... 

Phew! From there we continued to Paterson, NJ to visit the grave of Vice President Garret Hobart...

Garret Hobart served as the 24th Vice President of the United States under President William McKinley...

From there, we continued on to Philadelphia, PA to visit the grave of Vice President George M. Dallas...

George M. Dallas served as the 11th Vice President of the United States under B's favorite, President James K. Polk...

Loved passing by these hydrangeas on the walk back to the car...

Loved even more crossing back into Virginia and feeling a bit closer to home...

What a fun, whirlwind trip! Planning to be back in South Carolina tomorrow...

{Spring Break} 3 Vice Presidents, 2 Presidents, 1 Set of Capitol Steps, "and Peggy"

After spending the night outside of Princeton, we headed back into town this morning and stopped at the Princeton Cemetery first thing to pay our respects to both President Grover Cleveland…

 and Vice President Aaron Burr, also known for that fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton...yikes...

Aaron Burr served as the 3rd Vice President of the United States under President Thomas Jefferson.

Next, we enjoyed exploring the Princeton University campus and some of the places other presidents once lived!

It is said that President James Madison resided here in the iconic Nassau Hall while a student...

President Woodrow Wilson lived in as many as 4 different homes during his years in Princeton, including Prospect House, this home on campus, where he lived while serving as President of the University...

I just couldn't get over all of the gorgeous Saucer Magnolia trees! Many were past their peak, but they were beautiful nonetheless!

After a yummy lunch at Princeton Institution, Hoagie Haven...

 

  we continued on toward Albany, NY, stopping in Kingston, NY to visit the grave of Vice President George Clinton...

George Clinton succeeded Aaron Burr as the 4th Vice President of the United States serving under both President Thomas Jefferson and President James Madison. In addition, he served as the 1st Governor of New York!

From there we continued to Rhinebeck, NY to visit the grave of Vice President Levi P. Morton...

Levi P. Morton served as the 22nd Vice President of the United States serving under President Benjamin Harrison.

From there we continued on to Albany, NY!

We first made a stop at the cemetery outside the city to visit President Chester A. Arthur...

"and Peggy"!

Yep, that's Margaret "Peggy" Schuyler Van Rensselaer, the youngest Schuyler sister of the trio made famous in Hamilton...

Once in downtown Albany, we found the spot where President Martin Van Buren once lived...

as well as the Executive Mansion where a couple of our presidents lived when they served as Governor of New York...

and lastly, we ran up some steps!

And, that's a wrap... On to Vermont tomorrow!

{Spring Break} Chocolate, A President and Some Capitol Steps...

Spring Break started at approximately 3:00 yesterday afternoon, and after a quick stop at the library for some audiobooks and movies, we were OFF!

We are working our way up to Maine and back to check off a few more presidential spots, as well as a handful of state capitol steps that we missed the last time we were up that way!  Sadly, Hubby had to stay behind and work, but I am thankful that the kids are at the age now that they are really easy and fun to travel with, and get almost as excited to go on these adventures as I get planning them + B is an excellent copilot!

I drove a big chunk yesterday afternoon and night, and we made it to Hagerstown, Maryland to spend the night...

This morning, we got up bright and early...

and headed into Hershey, PA...

for a repeat (or repeat, repeat - you get the picture) visit to one of our favorite places, Hershey's Chocolate World...

My kids absolutely LOVE the FREE chocolate tour!

We were sad to see some of the "updates and enhancements" that were so computerized, as well as the empty barn as we entered (where a charming cow used to great everyone once upon a time)...

but the kids still loved it over all, and we rode it a couple of times!

From there, we dropped in to visit with my Aunt B, Uncle P & Cousin R for just a bit...  It had been awhile!

We grabbed lunch at one of my favorite local delis, Isaac's...

and continued on to Lancaster, PA to tour Wheatland, the home of President James Buchanan...

before paying our respects at his final resting place...

From Lancaster, we continued on to Trenton, NJ in hopes of checking off #capitolstepschallenge #41/50!

Unfortunately, the New Jersey State House is currently undergoing a multiple year renovation, and the entire front is inaccessible... 

 {I snapped this photo through the fencing!}

but, we found some (side) steps to run up anyway! This will have to do for now, but we'll be back!

From Trenton, we continued on a bit to Princeton, NJ for the night...

We headed into the downtown area and enjoyed a yummy ice cream dinner at the (very) popular The Bent Spoon!

After all, it IS Spring Break, right???

My scoop of Lavender Mascarpone ice cream was DEFINITELY worth the wait! 

More on tap tomorrow!