Jockey Hollow by Adrian

Here is the follow up blog about Jockey Hollow. It is part of the Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, United States. It was twice used as a winter encampment by the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (Wikipedia).

Wick House served as the quarters of Major Joseph Bloomfield of the Third New Jersey Regiment during the winter of 1776-1777. Later, it also served as the winter headquarters of General Arthur St. Clair in 1779 through 1780. 

Map table (I won't be surprised this is where they planned for the attacks on the British)

Henry Wick's desk

Kitchen

Bed

Wick House Garden

Directions to Soldier Hut

Abundance of trees surrounding the area used to convert into lines of soldier huts

Soldier hut

Soldier hut with split quarters

Recreation of the hut at the visitor's center. There is nothing in the soldier hut replica except bunk beds made of pieces of wood.

Call me history buff but seeing and researching historical places like this one is fun and very educational. Hope you enjoy reading and seeing as much as I do.

Ford Mansion home to George Washington's former headquarters 1779 to June 1780 by Adrian

The weather has started to warm up for Spring and we decided to drive around and tour Ford Mansion located at Morristown, NJ.  It is about 40 minutes by car from our place. We were there a few years back but it was already closed for the season. If you decide to tour the building, you need to buy the ticket from Washington's Headquarters Museum located behind it.

Washington's Headquarters Museum

Our tour guide started the story by saying imaging having someone just sleep over at your house for a long period of time. So that was the arrangement with the owner of Ford Mansion's Theodosia Ford to have 25 people from George Washington's entourage to stay at the premise for six months. Of course George Washington was paying rent to Theodosia Ford for the entire stay. The location was selected as it was very strategic to George Washington to keep an eye on the British that were occupying Manhattan and Staten Island at that time. He likes the area because it was also defensible terrain, important communication routes and easy access to critical resources.

Our tour guide

The town suddenly being surrounded by 10,000 soldiers and the local residents of 250 were not too happy with so many of them around. It was considered very dangerous as the British can just attack and your life might be caught in between the fight. Or you could be charged for treason to go against the King. The timing was also bad as they arrived in one of the harshest winters in history. The snow was said to be around 10 feet deep. Lots of soldiers suffered extreme cold with insufficient clothing for the winter and limited food. Worse of all, they were not getting paid. Many have deserted the troop and only one third of the soldiers remained at the end of the six months stay.

Study used by George Washington during the war (Only the secretary desk is original and possibly used by him)

Aide-de-Camps Bedroom- General Washington's Aides used this room for sleep and as office space for writing reports

Kitchen

Chamber used by General and Mrs. Washington (Only the mirror is the original)

Campaign beds were used by officers and aides-de-camps during the Revolutionary War

The bed above can be folded and transported all over. It can be used indoor and outdoor just like a tent.

Campaign bed folded and weights 60 lbs and can be drag by a horse.

Servants room (Extra help was always needed as there were too many chores that need to be done to manage a large home)

Xbox or  PlayStation of that time (Mrs Ford's sons toys)

Ford Mansion

George Washington stayed at the Ford Mansion while the rest of the soldiers encamped at Jockey Hollow about six miles south of here. We did not manage to tour the site but we plan to come back again to see how the soldiers live there. I hope you have enjoyed our tour as much as we do. Till next time.

More Adventures at King Fung...

Chicken Roil may make your stomach upset? I hope not!

King Fung fashion week presents..."Fash Balls!" Very chic :)

Adventures at King Fung Supermarket


King Fung Supermarket is the closest Asian grocery store to our house and we would religiously shop there every weekend. In fact, since being acquired by a bigger chain, King Fung has made tremendous improvements in terms of the store layout, stock/supplies, overall cleanliness and presentation.

One of our favorite spot in the store is the pastry section. We were extremely delighted when they decided to invest in a proper shelving system. Last Saturday, we did exactly the same and...what's up with this?!

Bry Pork Bun @ Pork Floss Bun

Coconhe Bun @ Coconut Bun

Roant.pork.Bun @ Roast Pork Bun

Take break cake @ Tea break cake?

If only it hadn't sound like it could give me Mad Cow, I might try it one day...ROTFL!


And what does Brandon think about the above???

I guess we can laugh as much as we want, but King Fung is still the best place to shop for all things Asian. Now, a little promo for King Fung...it's located at 625 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge, NJ. Tel.: 201-262-8558. Co-owner, Ah Wei is a very nice and pleasant guy. See you next week!

Snow Storm Pictures 2010

Here are pictures of the snow storm we have gotten for 2010. Enjoy viewing.

Tree in front of our house

Outside our front window

Cranford Pl (Our street)

Gert's house (Neighbor)

Our house

Front view of our house

Aftermath of snow (next day)

Cranford Pl opposite direction

Spring fever is in the air and Easter is round the corner. Can't wait for Easter bunnies to visit our yard.

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.