George Washington Slept Here...Really!

June 4, 2011
Day #23
Coatesville PA to Florida NY  170 Miles via US30, US202, I287, US17

We left the beautiful countryside, twisty narrow roads, horses and the sweet, sweet smell of cut hay this morning and headed north east toward Florida, NY, roughly 60 miles by car from New York City.

Along the way was Valley Forge National Historic Park, another place Jim always wanted to visit...so we did.  We had lunch in the RV, took the dogs out for a walk, then walked up the hill to the visitors center and booked the next guided trolley tour.

Our, just graduated from college, tour guide was very informative, we learned much more from her than we would have if we'd just taken ourselves through the park.  The park is expansive, over 3,500 acres of beautiful rolling hills and tree line roads.  There are over 26 miles of walking/hiking trails and it being a Saturday, they were being well used.  There were several horse trailers in the parking lot and we watched a group of a dozen riders or so, running the horses along the trails. 



Jim checks out a cabin



The tour stopped by a group of  Revolutionary Soldiers re-enactors and several recreated cabins that would have been used during Washington's encampment.  The lead speaker was a National Park Ranger, who was very well versed in the history of that period, and especially the weapons.   He was very entertaining as he told us about muskets.  Of course you know that the expression 'lock, stock and barrell' comes from that time, as well as 'flash in the pan' and 'half cocked'...all having to do with a musket.



Our musket teacher



My head hurts from all the Revolutionary era history facts that I've been exposed to on this trip!

Later in the tour we stopped at the colonial home that General George Washington used as headquarters during the six month encampment.  What must have been a grand house at the time felt quite small by today's standards. 

George Washington's headquarters



Even HE doesn't hang his jacket up!



General Washington's flag flew wherever he was located



When our one and one half hour tour was over, we resumed our trip.  Took a little longer than we had anticipated.  It was Saturday and everyone in this part of the United States decided to go shopping.  It wasn't too bad between towns, but wherever there was a shopping center the traffic was thick, and the roads were narrow, and winding, and bumpy, and hilly....in other words - slow going.  We had thought about not getting up on the interstate at all, but this was getting old and we realized that we'd be getting into the campground in NY late.  I gladly handed the navigating over to TOMTOM!  We took the interstate and realized that it was a smart decision.  Thanks TOMTOM!

Florida NY is a small village that reminds us of where we grew up in Rhode Island.  We got settled and drove about ten miles up the road for groceries.  Florida is a tiny town, but it does have a Dunkin Donuts!