{Spring Break} Keeping Our COOL in Vermont...

Wow... Vermont... I have such a LOVE/HATE Relationship with you right now...

We're just going to leave it at this...

COOL...

the kind & helpful folks at the welcome center...

UNCOOL...

the intense flooding the state is currently experiencing and several roads being closed due to being under water...

(I didn't dare stop to take photos of the rushing rivers we saw!)

COOL...

making it to visit President Calvin Coolidge (who also served as Vice President) despite being rerouted around the flooding and closed roads to get there, PLUS his historical site being closed for the season...

UNCOOL...

following my GPS directions back to the main road and getting (unknowingly at the time) routed into the Coolidge State Park (that is also still closed for the season)…

NOTE - It might've been kind of COOL until this, that was our view for an hour and a half while we waited on someone to come help us (supposedly, according to my GPS only a mile from the main road at this point)…

***NOTE - I did try to 1) Move the tree myself and 2) Back up the way I came in to try and turn around (but started to slip)… What isn't visible in the picture is the stream off the left side shoulder that I didn't want to slip into...

COOL...

the fact that my phone still worked (thank you dear LORD!) and that the wonderful people of Vermont State Parks answered and sent help!

UNCOOL...

the fact that even with the tree removed I couldn't get out that way straight ahead because there is a huge snow bank down there at the entrance/exit onto the main road (again, thankful for the good people from the Vermont State Parks there to advise me!)...

COOL...

The wonderful people that came to get us helped me get turned around further down past the tree where the road widens, AND they led me out...

UNCOOL...

I'm not going to be over this for awhile...

COOL...

We found a Dunkin' Donuts (it's the little things at this point) on our way back to the interstate...and just really the interstate in general at this point!

UNCOOL...

having to book it to Waterbury, VT to make the last factory tour of the day at Ben & Jerry's Waterbury Factory...

COOL...

We made it - bought our tickets at 5:01!!! 

{they don't look a bit worse for the wear or like they were stuck in a forest for an hour and a half today, now do they?}

The kids have been asking to come back here since our last visit in 2013!

 UNCOOL...

forecasted SNOW for tonight...yes, that's right...

COOL...

the capitol steps in Montpelier, VT and a nice dinner at J. Morgan's Steakhouse (that was NOT in a forest)...

UNCOOL...

Did I mention the forecasted SNOW???

They say it's just a dusting that won't really stick, but you know I'm from South Carolina and a dusting up here might be kind of different than what I'm thinking a dusting is...

So, we're just going to hunker down here for now because when it's all said and done...

COOL...

My 3 sweet babies and I are safe and warm and dry and together...

***And, UPDATE on 4/16/2019 - again, the amazing people from the Vermont State Parks...I can't say enough...  They called to check in on me Tuesday morning...just to make sure we were still okay...

Maybe I do actually LOVE you, Vermont.. I'm sorry I wasn't so sure about you yesterday!

{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!