Well, I thought our sightseeing was over, and we were just going to be hanging out with the kids.However, they had plans for the afternoon, and it was too nice to stay inside, so we was went a few miles north to the bustling town of Sleepy Hollow (really), and took a tour of Kykuit, the mansion built by John D. Rockefeller in 1909. It has been lived in by four generations of Rockefellers.
It is magnificent, and really not too ostentatious compared to lots of “summer cottages” of the rich that we’ve seen before. It is a 40 room house on 4000 acres on the Hudson. When Nelson Rockefeller (generation #3) lived there, he spruced things up by bringing in his fabulous art & sculpture collection. No photos were allowed inside, but really the most impressive thing was the grounds, with the Hudson River as a backdrop. The tour started at (but did not include on our ticket) Philipsburg Manor,
a restoration of a farm of the 18th century, complete with heirloom animals. We will have to go back there another time with the kids. I think they would love the animals.The village of Sleepy Hollow was called “North Tarrytown” until 1996 when the city fathers figured out they could capitalize on being the home of the writer Washington Irving. Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow are charming villages, with lovely shops & restaurants, and lots of beautiful (and expensive) homes.
We had a quiet (as quiet as possible) dinner with the Olsons, and now are back watching the Mariners play the Yankees in Seattle. Not too exciting, other than hearing the Yankee announcer say (in shock) that the Washington Huskies beat USC!! How great is that. Go Huskies!
Tomorrow, we are going to New York City for the day.
- 13 days till we see Paige, Ashley & Stefanie [ed note: aw, thanks, Mom]
- Still no Mississippi, Hawaii, or Delaware [ed note: I think Delaware is the most likely at this stage... but who knows -- keep your eyes peeled in NYC!]
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