A break in the clouds

We had wanted to go down and see Henry Hudson's Half Moon replica, but the day started grey and drizzly, then it started raining. I didn't expect the rain to give way, but it stopped raining for a bit and we decided to take a chance.

It looks awfully small to cross an ocean in, only 85 feet long on deck and 17 feet wide. If I lived back then, I would still be living in the old country.

I found the cutaway and more information on this web site Hudson River Maritime Museum. I love cutaways of ships. I once had a large format edition of Treasure Island which had a cutaway of the Hispanola. I spend hours planning expeditions using that ship. While we are on the subject of Treasure Island, my favorite character is Billy Bones as played by Billy Connely in the Muppets Treasure Island movie.

The open window is part of the Officers Cabin and I think the shield from the City of Amsterdam's Coat of Arms above the half moon might open to give the Captain's cabin ventilation.

Two cannon ports and the rudder, the diesel engine exhust can be seen to the right of the right hatch.

Below the main deck was the Oerlop Deck. It was the main living and working deck when the weather was bad. This deck has the cannon ports, the lower capstan winch used to raise and lower the anchor and the rudder. Originally, the height of the whole deck was 4 feet, but the replica had a section of the floor lowered to make it more accessible for tourists. Also, ladders would have been used in place of the steps. This first photo is looking towards the front of the ship.

In this photo we are looking towards the rear of the ship(aft). In the foreground you can see the capstan winch and in the background you can see the rudder mechanisms.

This hatch on the Oerlop Deck leads down to the hold. Normally the hold held provisions and items for trade, currently the hold has updated facilities like a modern galley, additional sleeping areas and a diesel engine.

Two photos of the main mast

This is the Officer's cabin on the main deck. Since there were several officiers on board, they worked in shifts and there was limited space, the Officers had to take turns using the beds. The term "Hot Bunk" us commonly used to define this practice.

Behind the blue fabric is the Captain's cabin which is located on the quarter deck.

The ship had 6 Cannons: 2 starboard, 2 larboard and 2 stern chasers.

We also visited the Waterpod. Here is further information about the Waterpod Project. The barge has 4 "artists" living aboard. They recycle grey water, have a composting toilet, cook with a fuel efficient rocket stove, grow their own vegetables, smoke hand rolled cigarettes and have chickens. In fact they think everyone should have chickens. They currently had their winter crops planted, since they had gone through most of their summer crops feeding large groups. They don't mind getting donations of food.

College Bound

Off to Stony Brook , August 28, 2009. 3 large bins, 1 half bin, 1 cube fridge, 1 small amp, printer, lamp, french note board, comforter, mattress pad. No hangers whatsoever. We had removed the larger half of the 60/40 middle seat for more space.

 

 

Plus one big bass, an electric guitar, a few small bags, one large blue bag (food overflow and cast iron frying pan) and still no hangers. There were still some nooks and crannys which could have been utilized, but we didn't know we needed to. And now it was raining.

 

 

Tabler Quad , Hand College. All the other buildings in this quad had the names on them but Hand. The room was on the top floor, but the elevators were working and it was only 3 floors up. The main entrance is in the left of the picture near the big blue umbrella. It was sprinkling while we were waiting for the Younger to register, but it held off while we actually moved her things in.

 

Roadies made the job easier.

 

The top bunk came with the benefit of a whole desk and armoire, but no dresser. Will the sheets get changed? It was a challenge to put them on.

 

The desk was under one of the other roommate's bunk.

 

The Younger sorting out her belongings.

 

The suite consisted of 3 bedrooms(2 triples and one single), this dining area, kitchen area and bathroom with turlit stall, 2 sinks and a large shower stall. The bass is here temporarily.

 

Kitchen area. We were surprised that only 2 people brought fridges.

 

After we moved her in, we went out for food. We heard that the supplied food consisted of a sandwich in a red bag so we went to the soup place, Soup's On near the train station. It was still there and it was still excellent. We had run across the place during one of our prior visits. Afterwards we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to buy hangers which someone didn't pack because they couldn't find room.

When we got home, the dog acted very strange, she kept going to the truck like we had forgotten something there. Even in the house she was crying and looking upset.

Traffic was light both ways and only took about 1.5 hours each way.

Skylands New Jersey Botanical Gardens

We visited the New Jersey State Botanical Gardens also known as Skylands in August 2009. It is located in Ringwood in the north western section of the state. We only walked around the exterior of the manor house, since tours are only one Sunday a month, but managed to visit most of the gardens.

Thought this was the Gate House, but it was the Pump House. Inside there was a 8-10 foot diameter well. Looks like a Hobbit House. I would love to live there.

This is the Pump House from the other side. There is a clock in the tower.

This is the front of the Carriage House which is used as the Visitor Center.

A view of Skylands Manor, to the left of the main front entrance.

Here is the main front entrance below the oriel, it would look better without the pickup in the picture. The Skylands Manor page has descriptions about the interior, exterior and the people involved with the building of the manor

Front entrance smiley face and lantern. The other side of the entrance has a matching set.

Secondary entrance to the right of the main entrance of Skylands Manor.

Another oriel

Timer framed construction round back

Behind the manor house were formal gardens, there was a very small rock garden, a long shade garden with hostas and caladium and the water garden seen in the following 2 photos.

Past the boy with the swan at the end of the perennial garden was the dry meadow, which was quite damp the day we were there. We walked along the Crab Apple Allèe to the statues of the 4 Continents, Asia, America, Africa and Europe.

There were plenty of benches around to relax on.

 

Another view of the Carriage house.