Museum Musings

Persistent rains during our 2018 East Coast road trip had us intersperse cycling with visiting a broad array of museums

The idea was to find new-to-us bike paths as we road-tripped up to the annual ALDHA Gathering to participate in the 50th Anniversary of the National Trail System. But Mother Nature had other plans. Hurricane Michael was hot on our heels as we hit North Georgia, so we picked up our pace to keep out of the worst of the weather. However, the rains reached the entire Eastern Seaboard. So once we reached the Shenandoah Valley, we started visiting museums instead.

Between the rain and the bitter cold weather than followed, we were only able to get a handful of bike rides and hikes during the entire three week trip. Highlights of the journey included our time in the Shenandoah Valley; our first-ever exploration on Long Island, which we found to be delightfully like New England once you get beyond the urban spillover of New York City; and finally visiting the Morris Museum in New Jersey, which has the top collection of Victorian-era automata in the United States.

PLANNING RESOURCES: Virginia's Shenandoah Valley | Shippensburg PA | Morris County NJ | Discover Long Island | Harpers Ferry WV | Visit Wytheville

Itinerary

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Shenandoah Valley Rambles

Making two separate journeys through the Shenandoah Valley - one in the rain, one in the sun - we anchored ourselves with stays at both ends the region while seeking out museums (in the rain) and trails (in the sun).

Trails and TravelSandra Friend

Central Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University
Cumberland Valley Rail Trail
Appalachian Trail Museum
New Birth of Freedom Council BSA

DINING: Greyhound Family Restaurant, Shippensburg
CJ's American Pub & Grill, Shippensburg
Katie's Family Restaurant, New Tripoli

New Jersey

Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown
Morris Museum, Morristown

DINING: Broadway Diner, Summit

Oyster Bay, New York

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
The Whaling Museum
Planting Fields Arboretum State Park

DINING: Harbor Mist, Cold Spring Harbor
Magnolia Cafe, Planting Fields

Stony Brook, New York

Avalon Preserve
The Jazz Loft
The Long Island Museum
DINING: Sweet Mamas
LODGING: Stony Brookside

Surprised by Stony Brook

Surprised by the New England feel of Stony Brook, we lingered over museums and parks, soaking in history on our overnight visit to Long Island’s North Shore.

Trails and TravelSandra Friend

Roslyn, New York

Sand Point Preserve
DINING: Gatsby's Landing

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Harpers Ferry Historical Association
Wetlands Museum
The Point
A Place in Time Museum

SHOPPING: Harpers Ferry Outfitters, Vintage Lady, True Treats Historic Candy
DINING: The Coffee Mill, White Horse Tavern

Front Royal to Natural Bridge, Virginia

Riding the Royal Shenandoah Greenway

While Front Royal, Virginia is known as an Appalachian Trail community, the AT isn’t the only trail in town. Here’s my ride along the new Royal Shenandoah Greenway, a 4.5-mile loop which opened earlier this year on Arbor Day.

Trails and TravelJohn Keatley

Shenandoah Valley Rambles

Making two separate journeys through the Shenandoah Valley - one in the rain, one in the sun - we anchored ourselves with stays at both ends the region while seeking out museums (in the rain) and trails (in the sun).

Trails and TravelSandra Friend

Wytheville, Virginia

Wytheville Visitor Center
Willow Brook Homestead
Great Lakes to Florida Museum
Big Walker Mountain
The Bluegrass Trail (VA 42)

DINING: Log House 1776 Restaurant

Saltville, Virginia

The Road to Saltville

Intrigued by a series of seemingly random suggestions that we take a trip to Saltville, Virginia, we discovered why getting there is so fascinating.

Trails and TravelSandra Friend

Museum of the Middle Appalachians
Salt Works Park
Salt Ponds Recreation Area
DINING: TRs Restaurant