Sesame Place Theme Park
by Adrian

Note: We are a bit behind in blogging so bear with us. The trip was taken on October 9, 2011.

It was at the end of the season and we decided to bring Brandon to Sesame Place Theme Park owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Yes, that's right the same owner that manage Shamu and friends. We have never been to SeaWorld so we did not know what to expect.

As it was the end of the season only a few attractions remained open. It was a mistake as there were too many people crammed into these few attractions causing chaos trying to line up for the shows. The staffs were very disorganized and did not direct the traffic well. We were very disappointed considering it is managed by SeaWorld. Parents were cutting lines along with the young ones. We were wondering what the parents are trying to proof to their kids!!! Cutting lines are fine...??? Oh well...!

Entrance

Sesame Street's characters in pumpkin form with Brandon and I

Countdown to Halloween at Monster Rock Theater

Elmo's World Live at Sesame Studio

The was a boo boo during the Elmo's World Live show. The timing was off and Mr. Noodle's nephew came out with the wrong voice over. For those who are not familiar. Mr. Noodle is a character introduced in 1998. Ever since, it always appear in Elmo's World segment.

Big Bird at the Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Telly monster, Bert and Ernie at the Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Cookie monster at Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Sesame Street trademark signage

Overall, it was a so so park. It was pricey, old, filthy (trash around eateries), confusing map, and poor service all over the park. We still prefer Disney Parks any time.

Summer 2009 - Newport, R.I.


A girlfriend in college once shared with me her Aunt's favorite saying: "Girl on a mission, finds a man with a mansion." When we visited Newport, R.I. in July, this phrase kept playing in my head along with "over-the-top" as we walked through the ginormous rooms that the Vanderbilts, the Berwinds and the likes once spent their summers many, many years ago. It was really mind blowing to see the facilities and amenities these mansions had to offer for a 6-9 week escapade each year.

It's easy to suffer mansion overload, so we had to choose wisely which ones we thought were worth visiting. We ended up in these super abodes.


Breakers



The Elms



Marble House



Rosecliff

Rosecliff is probably my favorite house mansion. It's not too cluttered and decorated with gilded trimmings - less is indeed more.


Cliffwalk

After experiencing a misty and dreary day before, we were very fortunate to enjoy a beautiful, sunny Sunday. It was just perfect for a walk by the cliffs. Definitely not to be missed if one were to visit Newport.

What a glorious day :) Blue skies and all...

Even "Marley" here agrees :)


Bowen's Wharf

Hats anyone? It's truly a summer staple...

What about some singing? Happy Birthday America!!!

Or, some R & R on board a yacht

We also came to a seaside town to enjoy... what else - SEAFOOD, of course! We tried two places near Bowen's Wharf - The Black Pearl and Barking Crab, over the 2 days.


The Black Pearl

Black Pearl patrons enjoying good food and summer sunshine

Our lunch, yum!


Barking Crab
Love the sign

Complete with instructions for the first-timers (it's unkind to write dummies)

Our appetizer - Stuffies

New England Clambake


Burp!!! I'm full and time to sign-off...till our next adventure.

Sunday Afternoon at Stony Hill Gardens

It's a Small Word After All


Somebody went to Disneyland for work and still found time to have fun. Yup! Adrian recently spent 5 days in Anaheim, California. Apparently, he attended a Market Research event. Yeah, yeah. Adrian isn't exactly a Disney virgin having been there twice and to Disney World in Florida. I believe he once told me that he went to all these exciting places, even before he started college back in the 90s. What would Daddy have said, huh?! Well, it's always good to get the distraction out of the way before diving into some serious studies ;)

You know that you're in Disneyland when your hotel toiletries have Mickey ears

Check out these photos from Adrian's brief adventure in Anaheim.

Exploring New Paltz's Historic Huguenot Street


Daylight hours are gradually becoming shorter. Yes, Labor Day is coming soon and fall is just round the corner. What better way to enjoy the remains of summer than to visit the Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz! We continue our fascination with all things historic; especially old houses on a nice and warm Sunday afternoon. Just perfect!

We started off our 1.5 hour tour at the Fort (Dubois House). Well, technically this fort painted in bright yellow never saw any action but it was a fort nevertheless and even boasted several port holes (see the little square hole in the photo below). We learnt that Dubois House has some very interesting "occupants" that love to move chairs and slam/fling open doors as they pleased. They're not shy and would even boldly demonstrate their presence in front of visitors.

Dubois House and 1799 House

Jean Hasbrouck House

Inside Jean Hasbrouck House

Belvier-Elting House

Deyo House - another interesting house with "presence" from the owner's socialite daughter - we didn't go into this house, though. Noticed that all the blinds are drawn in this house. Hmm...perhaps to avoid a special appearance by the late Miss Deyo by the window? Who knows?!

More old houses along the street. Below: 1717 French Church which eventually grew into the current Stone Church.

Time to chow...

After taking in the houses in Huguenot Street and a French burying ground, we stopped by the Village Tearoom for dinner. New Paltz is a very pretty town with lots of students from the neighboring State University of NY.

A quaint, Zagat-rated restaurant in a house-setting with plenty to offer! Adrian had the pork chop while I ordered the Shepherd's Pie.

With coffee, honey cake and bread pudding to top it off - EXCELLENT!

Fosterfields Farm

From Speedwell, we took the shuttle to Fosterfields living historical farm. This 200-acre farm has many educational activities and demonstrations of 1920s farming methods and life. Very interesting indeed!

Left-overs from Thanksgiving....Gobble, Gobble, Gobble! Perhaps they were singing "I will survive" in turkey language???

When one is walking around the farm, this is a common sight. It's a good thing the snow didn't camouflage the dung ;)

I could have sworn he was smiling at me!

This piggy loved the fence so much, he kept licking it. Hey, what about some slop, instead?

Baa Ram Ewe! I think I might have startled this one.

A-Ha! So this is where Santa's been hiding his sleigh. Try looking in the barn next time kids.

Fosterfields from "The Willows".

Fosterfields in Morristown, New Jersey.
Courtesy of Webshots

The Willows was the home of Caroline Foster from the time she was 4 until her death at age 102. She was the only daughter/child of Charles Foster who purchased the house from General Joseph W. Revere, the grandson of patriot - Paul Revere; along with the rest of the farm in the 1880s.

As usual, photography wasn't allowed. We were asked to help preserve The Willows by walking on specially laid-out runners only. We were shown how the Fosters would decorate their house for X'mas in the 1920s; with unusual trinkets to German feather-trees. That year, Caroline Foster received a very grand X'mas gift from her friends - a 1922 Model T Ford that she used to drive to Connecticut by herself. It took her 8 hours to reach her favorite Aunt's place. Being a free-spirited socialite, the guide described her as a person who would "smoke everything". Her father didn't approve of her owning a car until a year later and complained that she drove too fast at 20 mph. Okayyyy...!

The moment we entered the house, we could smell something nice coming from the kitchen. So, let's check out what's for dinner on X'mas Day in 1922.

Starters:

Mushroom savories

Baked scallops with herb & garlic

Soup:

Parsnip soup

Brown bread

Entree:

Roast beef & potatoes with sesame green beans

Desserts:

Plum pudding

Bread pudding

Apple Syllabub

For the kids:

Plum candies - only for children who are well-behaved.

I know for sure who will not be getting this candy. The smart-alec, "Miss-Know-It-All" kid in our group that would not stop talking and kept on interrupting the guide. Missy also nearly took off the flimsy curtain on the door. Such a pesky kid! *snarls*