

Holiday 2018
63
boatingonthehudson.com
by every single one of the local guides: crap, here’s a summary:
the Ottomans (isn’t an Ottoman a small stool???) and then
the Communists were belligerent oppressive jerks, and these
countries became far better places after they were (finally)
kicked out: ‘nuff said... Back to Vanderbilt.
We finally headed over and down to the gardens: at the first
sight of this awesome, begging-to-be-photographed sight I
stopped dead in my tracks—WOWZER!!!—gawking, I just HAD to
take pictures. The Group, obediently lined up behind our guide,
simply walked over to the “gazebo” in northeast corner of the
Formal Gardens, the next “stop on the tour”!!! I took pictures,
then rejoined them.
We then walked along the path on the east side of the gardens down
to the reflecting pool and winsome “Katie”, and finally down to the
rose garden. The roses were not anywhere near as spectacularly in
bloom as the up-above Formal Gardens. I don’t know why, but this
was often the case in my many visits with my tour groups over this
years; my recollection is the FDR rose gardens were always much
more spectacular.
We walked back up and along the south end of the gardens, where
our guide bid us farewell. I thanked her sincerely for everything she
pointed out, and all the facts, figures, information, and insights
she provided. All in all, another very interesting Hudson Valley day.
Get in touch with Ralph at:
rjferrusi@frontiernet.net