HBGALLAVANTERS

  So after a great time on our second pass through New York we headed west toward Pennsylvania through the Pocono Mountains. Our final destination was a campground outside Philadelphia but we had a stop to make on our way.  We wanted to stop at Steamtown USA in Scranton.  This is a site dedicated to the preservation of old steam trains. If you are a train buff this is the place for you.  This “ Big Boy” had just undergone a complete renovation. It was restored to the condition it would have been in on the day it started service.  As has been typical on this trip sections of the site were closed to visitors but you were able to walk around the grounds. We were able to watch a movie about the allure of steam trains. But the best part was just walking through the exhibits that were open. We were so happy to find a conductor rubber duck in the gift shop to add to our collection of ducks. 

  After a day of watching antique air planes we headed to downtown Rhinebeck for dinner at an historic tavern where George Washington and his compatriots often dined when they were in the area. The town of Rhinebeck is a quaint town which caters to visitors.  The Beekman Arms Inn was recommended to us by my old work colleague Keith Nocket. We made reservations but it was not as crowded as we would have thought. We opted to sit inside the old tavern. An amazing fact about this place is that they have the old registries where guests had to sign in and you can see some of the historical figures who spent nights at the inn. They also have a diorama showing what it originally looked like.  We had an amazing dinner.  Phil had prime rib with a “popover” ( Yorkshire pudding) and I had scallops that were delicious. Highly recommend if you’re in the area. 

  Turns out that the best campground I could find to stay in while visiting Hyde Park, NY was in Rhinebeck, the neighboring town to the north.  When my husband found out that was where we would be staying he was so excited. For what I did not know is that Rhinebeck is the home of one of the most revered antique plane museums in the country. When he inquired he found out that the weekend we were to be in town, the airport was having two flying shows. On Saturday, the day we could go the air show would feature WWI planes. In the morning there would be the annual remote controlled model plane show. So I knew we would be going.  First there was the museum. They have old planes, cars, models and all things plane-related. The items are stored in several old barns. Most of the planes are all able to fly. The aerodrome caters to keeping the planes flight worthy.  After touring the museum we went out to the airfield to watch the remote control planes fly.  Then for the big event, the antique WW