Family Reunion

The last night in New York, all the visiting family gathered at the ice cream shop in town for an impromptu reunion. We all got our ice cream then headed down to the little play ground overlooking the lake. We got this shot of all the current "kids". Wow has the family grown over the years.

Shelburne Museum, Burlington, Vermont

During our day trip we visited the Shelburne Museum near Burlington, Vermont. It is a museum historical buildings from the New England area. The kids really had fun running around the grounds and going into the buildings. Here are some of the highlights...



Grandpa heads to the Ticonderoga, a large cruise steamer paddle boat that once traveled the lake.



The dining room.

The Grand Staircase

This was for the middle class passengers, cabins were only for the wealthy.

The Captain's Cabin

Each year there is a special exhibit, 2012 was the theme "Steam Punk."  For those who are unfamiliar with the term Steam Punk typically features steam-powered machinery,especially in a setting inspired by Western civilization during the 19th century. Steam punk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era

Alex found the space ship in the tree & wanted a picture.

Everyone under the steam punk spider outside the exhibit

A replica of H. G. Wells time machine, also seen in the TV show "Big Bang Theory," if you are a fan.



Jake thought this looked like Jimmy Neutron's space ship.





Alex thought this was a cool Darth Vader




The robot cleaning force.



There are many other exhibits and buildings, including a circus museum, round barn, lighthouse, art museum, school house, printer & weavers house, church, blacksmith, general store & apothecary shop. Much too much to see in just one day but we had a great time. You can check it out at www.shelburnemuseum.org

Our First Ferry Ride!

 One of the days we were on vacation  we took the ferry across Lake Champlain to Vermont for a day of sight seeing.  They all enjoyed getting out and looking around during the half hour trip.

This little island has always been called hens & chicks.  When the water is lower you can see a few smaller rocks that look like mamas chicks.

This is the view looking back toward New York.  The farm once belonged to my family.