From West Point to Freeport

We started the day with a tour of the United States Military Academy.  We did not have long to stay and found ourselves wanting to stay much longer.  You could easily spend a day on campus and touring the West Point Museum.  

 

Hannibal was a past Army mascot.  Actually,  three mules were retired in a ceremony this past year and new mules were "drafted into service".  West Point is located on the west bank of the Hudson River north of New York City.  I was surprised to learn that the river is 200 feet deep at this location with a very swift current.

 

 A chain was forged (over 1700 feet long) and pulled across the river to keep the British fleet from running up the river.  Forts were located along the river with cannon to sink the ships if they ran into the chain and were held. The view below shows the Hudson and the bend in the river.

 

Below is the Cadet Chapel.  Every book was perfectly positioned in the back of the pews.  There is a shelf underneath each pew for placement of the cadet's hat.  They were tuning the organ when we were present and the pipes extend down each side of the building.  The buildings on campus were of stone quarried from a local quarry.

 

The Cadet Chapel at West Point

 

Superintendent's Residence at the end of the parade ground

We left Highland Falls, NY just before noon and drove across Connecticut and Massachusetts.  I was surprised by the constant rolling hills of Connecticut.  We crossed New Hampshire near the coast and entered Maine.  We are spending the night in Freeport, Maine which is the home of L.L. Bean.  We went downtown to go to Bean's and were concerned the store may be closed, but the store is open 24 hours a day.  L.L. Bean has been open 24 hours a day since 1956.  The store is acually a collection of 5 or 6 stores scattered through town.

 

We are back in our room watching the news and hoping we will be able to get in Acadia tomorrow, but making alternative plans in case our stubborn Congress continues their standoff.  We will just have to see what tomorrow brings.