First day in NY and we meet up with Julia and take the train into Manhattan
Grand Central station feels odd with gun-totin' troops but we relax and play tourist. can you tell we are drenched! It was pouring rain today. Supposed to get better tomorrow.
Julia and Diana
Where's Waldo? Can you find Robert and Diana in this photo?
At MoMa they allow pictures as long as you don't use a flash
This one may be a little fuzzy as I took it with my cell phone
There are some new statues in the courtyard since I was last here but now you can't go into the courtyard
End of day one and we had a busy day. Diana has never been to New York and it`s been 16 years since I was last here. So many things we wanted to see and do and NY can be so overwhelming! Fortunately Julia acted as tour guide. We made all our subway connections and ate at a great place in Greenwich village Julia knew about.
The main focus today was the MoMa, Museum of Modern Art, the one place we all agreed we couldn`t miss. It was fantastic and today was 1/2 price! Some of my favorite paintings were there, Van Gough`s Starry Night, Andrew Wyeth`s Christina`s World and of course a number of Picasso paintings. A special treat, a show of Picasso guitars.
2 things I just have to mention: Hampton Inn Yonkers and Garmin. It`s hard to know what a Hotel will really be like till you get there but the internet sure helps. I picked this place because it looked like it was brand new, (Google street view shows an empty lot!) and it looked like it was in a quiet neighborhood, in an office park! Odd place to put a brand new hotel but this place is a quiet, sane oasis not for from a train stop. We couldn`t be happier. And Garmin, what can I say? I think we would still be on the New Jersey Turnpike if it wasn`t for this little gem. My recommendation; don`t leave home without it!
Today we went to the Statue of Liberty. It was supposed to rain but the sun came out instead
We also went to Ellis Island where the main building has been restored and is now a museum
Robert`s favorite part was the old documents and passports on display
This is a photo during the restoration of the front of the building
Here`s the same head over the main entrance
Julia stayed at home today and packed her things. Tonight we went over to help her load stuff in our car to take to her Aunt`s
Today Diana and I went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Julia decided she needed to get some sleep and needed time to pack so stayed home. The weather report called for thunder showers but when we got to the ferry the sun broke out and the day was lovely. The statue is one of those rare things that you can see a million times in pictures but the real deal just blows those away. It needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate what it means and what it represents. I can only think of one other: the Grand Canyon, which left me feeling the same way. Although I had been here once before I was still in awe.
Ellis Island was a real treat to come to and a good preparation for our journey to Massachusetts to research my family’s history. The island is now a museum with wonderful displays and artifacts that capture such an integral part of the American experience. Although no one from my family came through Ellis Island I was left with a feeling of being part of an on-going saga. A human tide of people seeking freedom from those who would withhold it.
Today was the big day, Julia`s graduation from Sarah Lawrence. The president opens the ceremonies
Arianna Huffington was the commencement speaker. She themed her address on something she said her father always told her: Every failure is a step toward success.
I know, hard to see but that's Julia getting her diploma
Dad and Julia on the side lawn
Diana, Julia and dad
Graduation day was a very full day. All the bustle of activity; getting there early and meeting with Julia, having coffee with her mother and Michael, and everyone trying not to spill anything on their cloths! Yet Julia, and us, pulled it all off beautifully. It`s hard for me to put into words the pride I feel for Julia`s achievement. I think the look of happiness, and relief, on Julia`s face says it all.
On Saturday Robert Diana and Julia went on a road trip to Massachusetts to discover some of the history of the Grout`s in the area. One of our first stops was the house owned by my Great Grandfather, Braman Grout who lived 1833 to 1920 in the town of Leicester which the locals pronounce ``Lester``. The home is now cut up into retail shops but much of the original architecture is still present.
Braman was a Deacon of the nearby First Congregational Church where we ran into a rummage sale and our first chance to meet with and talk to people about the history of the area. One of the people there had the keys to the church and gave us a tour. More photos will follow!
Not far from town was Pine Grove cemetery where we searched for Grout family gravestones. Earlier we went to a cemetery in Spencer where we found many Grout`s but none I recognized. Finally in Pine Grove we located George Grout`s, brother of Braman.
Just on the other side of George we found Braman and Catherin`s.
As we planned the trip Julia told me she didn`t want to go to a lot of cemetery`s but after the first one Julia said she was OK with searching cemetery`s
We loaded a bunch of pics from today on Facebbok
Here is the house on Olean street in Worcester where my father grew up
Right across the street is a lake, no wonder dad won all those swimming medals!
Today we went to Wayland, formerly Sudbury, where Capt. John Grout acquired a grist mill in 1643. This is the spill way at the head of the mill pond
Here is a painting of that mill
Not far from the mill pond are 2 mill stones. One is said to be from the Wayland grist mill.
Just a few miles down the road is the Wayside grist mill which was built much later and from stone
Back in Wayland we went to the Grout / Heard house, built 1740 by Johnathan Grout one of our direct ancestors
A member of the historical society let us in and gave the tour of the house. This is the front room which is the only part of the house known to be from 1740. The rest may all be additions.
We loaded a bunch more pics from today on Facebbok
Our last day and we are headed for Watertown where the Grout family started in 1634-ish. But first a stop at Salem to check out some of the history of mother`s side of the family! Here`s the Salem Witch Museum
This street sign is the only marker in town (we were told) indicating Judge Sewell once lived here.
Diverting from witchery we checked out the wharfs where all the Privateers sailed from during the Revolutionary war. (Hmmm, was everyone crooked in this town?)
Off to Watertown, once a small village a day`s ride from Boston, now an indistinguishable suburb. There's nothing left here of the Grout`s although it`s very possible our first American grandmother is buried in this cemetery, her marker long destroyed by time.
We know Mary Grout died sometime around 1641 to 1642 so this may be the spot
As cars zip by this site I wonder if the motorists have any clue that many founding members of America slumber here?
Last stop on our whirlwind tour, the very location of the first property owned by Capt. John Grout in the 1630`s. We all agreed it would have been so much fun to bring our metal detector with us!
Well that`s all for this trip! Look for a lot more pictures on Facebook on Diana and Julia`s pages!
Pictures are uploaded at 72 DPI. If you want to print any, please E Mail me and I will email you the full resolution version.
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