New York and New Hampshire

Home of Martin van Buren

On Sunday we went to church, I mowed the lawn, Paul took Oliver and Milo to a corn maze, we started packing, and we did the chores we usually do on Saturday. Last week we had 3.5 days of school because of the roller-skating party on Monday and our trip to Philadelphia on Friday. This week we only had one day of school - Monday. I also took the van for an appointment to get the oil changed and tires rotated. Nadia and Ian had their choir rehearsals, and the boys went to Ninjastics.

On Tuesday morning we left our home at 5:30am and drove four hours straight to Kinderhook, New York to tour the home of Martin van Buren. Because we left so early, I got donuts on Monday night so we could eat breakfast in the van while we drove. Our tour guide was excellent. I was very impressed with how much of the furniture, wallpaper, etc. in the home was original considering it's almost 200 years old. We all learned more about the life of this former President. The kids each earned a Junior Ranger badge. We typically purchase a magnet at places like this, but as was the case at the Battleship New Jersey last week, that wasn't possible at this site. At this site they weren't selling anything because of COVID. We then drove 2.75 hours to Saint Gaudens, which is the only National Park site in New Hampshire, and it's also the only National Park about a sculptor. We weren't there at the right time to participate in a guided tour or program, but we were able to watch a movie, walk around the site, and walk through his house. I passed on a short hike because the ground was wet. I didn't want to risk a fall. The kids earned another Junior Ranger badge. We had dinner at Applebee's and planned to go miniature golfing afterward, but it was raining. The park was located very close to the Connecticut River, which is the border between New Hampshire and Vermont. After dinner we crossed over the river again to spend the night in Vermont. We are spending the day in Vermont today and driving to Maine this evening. By tomorrow our list of states we haven't visited yet will be down to nine as New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine were three Paul and the kids hadn't been to yet. 

Two weeks ago, Ian came down sick. He ended up having the mildest case. Nadia came down sick the next day, and she still has a cough. Oliver didn't catch the bug from them until last Wednesday. Thankfully, Paul and I have managed to stay healthy. Although we weren't ever required to wear masks in Philadelphia, we had Oliver wear one a fair amount of the time because he's not always good about covering his cough with his elbow. None of the kids have had a fever or any other symptoms that would point to it being COVID. I'm hoping that Nadia and Oliver will return to full health as soon as possible.