Sleepy Hollow and Philipsburg Manor by Adrian

It has been five years since we last visited Sleepy Hollow and Philipsburg Manor (2007). The are several new things included is this blog that we did not had the chance to explore during the previous trip.

Welcome sign of Sleepy Hollow (It does not look like the one from new series from FOX)

 The Old Dutch Church was opened to the public this time. 

Old Dutch Church

Reenactor portraying Dominie Guiliam Bertholf the first pastor of the church at the entrance

Church Organ added about few years back

Pulpit on raised platform (Family members of Frederick Philipse were buried underneath the communion table)

Washington Irving's tomb

Is this headless Houseman or Headless Jackie (Serene's cousin)?

Philipsburg Manor House (No pictures are allowed inside the house)

Water powered gristmill

Gristmill grinder stone (Notice the wear on the stone)

Gristmill crankshaft

Finished products (flours)

Reenactor explaining the garden herbs and its benefits

According to the Ole Wive's tale the smell of lavender eases headache 

Potato brine helps cure burn and other cuts

Entrance to the barn

Reenact-or explaining how flax is processed to be linen (Important material for clothing during the 1700's)

Barn and plantation tools

I learned something new today. Plantation in the south includes cotton, tobacco (mostly non-food) but in the north they were mostly for food (wheat, dairy, rice, fish, baked goods and etc ). Overall, it was a good Sunday outing.

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ by Adrian

We have been to the jersey shore many times but never stopped at Jenkinson's Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach. Since Serene's cousin is in town, we decided to check it out. Moreover, this was the first time we headed back to the Jersey Shore, post Sandy, besides Atlantic City. As we passed Asbury Park (hometown of Bruce Springsteen), we saw a few houses still in terrible shape due to Sandy's wrath. Unfortunately, we did not manage to take any pictures. The good news is that majority of the properties have been repaired.

Taffy shop

Food store

One of the boardwalk games

Salt Water Taffy

Mermaid (Sand sculpture benefiting Sandy rebuilding fund)

Shark

Brandon and I on a train ride

Moby Dick -Sit on the edge of your seat in this thrilling, fast-pace ride that brings you high in the sky and then takes you right back down again, and just as fast! 

Jackie (Serene's cousin) enjoying her first corn-dog

Overall, we had fun at Jenkinson's Boardwalk. It was definitely worth the trip for the Labor Day weekend.