Exploring General Grant National Memorial in New York City
This past week, we had the opportunity to explore another National Park Site in the city of New York: the General Grant National Memorial. Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of the Upper West Side, the Memorial honors Ulysses S. Grant, a decorated Civil War General of Union troops and the 18th American President, who…
Exploring the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City
The largest Gothic style cathedral in the world, and the head church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The entire 11 acre campus includes the cathedral, cathedral school, several houses for religious life, a peace fountain, and several…
Exploring the CT Trolley Museum and Firetruck Museum in East Windsor, Connecticut
What is now the Connecticut Trolley Museum first began in 1940 after the Hartford/Springfield rail line that was built in the early 1900s shut down. The rail line was created to bring people to work in the mills in the Rockville area and students back and forth to school. The line lost its popularity as…
Exploring the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine in East Granby, Connecticut
Over a year ago, we saw mention of an old jail in Connecticut- the first state prison in North America – and we put it on our 2026 list of places to explore. This past weekend, the Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine opened for its 2026 season and we immediately drove north to a…
Eight Unique Souvenirs and Keepsakes to Collect When Traveling
Many people purchase souvenirs when vacationing as a way to remember their adventures; ornaments, snow globes, and postcards are common mementos children collect and display at home. When our children were younger they collected some of these items (ornaments were especially popular) but over time, we’ve started purchasing and collecting souvenirs that represent a city,…
Eight Ways to Enjoy Freedom Park in Williamsburg, Virginia
We recently spent a beautiful spring weekend in Williamsburg, Virginia and on our way into town, we stopped at Freedom Park, about 15 minutes north west of the famed Colonial Williamsburg. The 600 acre park has dozens of miles of trails for biking and hiking, a 18th century cemetery, a botanical garden, and was once…