Walkabout With Wheels Blog

Sunday, August 2, 2026

The Grant Cottage on Mount McGregor in Ganesvoort, New York

Mount McGregor, in eastern Saratoga County, was a resort area in the late 1800s. The clean, clear air and beautiful mountain views drew visitors from the region and luminaries of the era including Susan B. Anthony and Mark Twain.

This Cottage is the final home

of President Ulysses S. Grant.

A bit of backstory: There was no pension for Former Presidents until 1958. Presidents served their term(s), left Office, and became Private Citizens. The ability to provide for a President's family was up to the man's ability to provide through wealth, property, speeches, writings, etc.

Former President Grant was diagnosed in late October 1884 in New York City. His days were numbered and there was so much left to do to provide for his wife, Julia and their children Frederick, Ulysses (Buck), Ellen (Nelly), and Jesse. U.S. Grant was busy writing his memoirs.

Since his diagnosis, President Grant's health was reported on daily. There were news bulletins about his health, public speculation, and reports about his rush to finish the much anticipated memoirs.

New York Banker, Joseph W. Drexel, offered the Former President his Cottage on Mount McGregor.

President Grant, his family, friends, and his doctor arrived at this mountaintop Cottage on June 15, 1885. He needed a quiet environment to finish his memoir and provide a peaceful place for his family as he neared the end of his life.

The Living Room

Why are the chairs so

close together?

U.S. Grant had Throat Cancer and could not lay flat to sleep.

The drop leaf desk in the

corner of the Living Room.

This photo shows the brightly

colored 150 year old

Living Room Carpet.

I am amazed by how well the

home & its contents have

been preserved.

Electricity was added later.

This displays show Ulysses S.

Grant's height & the style

of clothes he wore.

There was time for a game

of Chess.

The family played Cribbage.

President Grant finished his manuscript on July 20, 1885. Mark Twain promised to publish it, and did.

Three days later, at 8:00 am on July 23, 1885, the 18th President of the United States died, surrounded by his family.

The Mantle Clock was stopped

to memorialize the time of

US Grant's death.

The funeral for the family was held here on August 4, 1885.

The President's Death Mask

A photo of the flowers

sent to the house for

the funeral.

141 years later, the floral

arrangements survive.

The flowers dried & faded.

I amazed that the heating/cooling conditions from 1885 to now allowed these delicate historic memorials to remain intact.

Grant's Cottage is just one

piece of our country's

250 year history.

It's just waiting for you to explore...

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Star Trek Shore Leave 46 Convention in Lancaster, Pennysylvania

Our friends Dave and Kathy invited Eric and me to Shore Leave 46, the Star Trek Convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It's been eight years since we attended Trekonderoga in Ticonderoga, New York. It's time to get back into all things Star Trek, and more.

After getting our Convention Tags,

I browsed the Shore Leave 46

Program & Schedule of Events.

Dave, Kathy, Eric, and I wandered around to get the lay of the land.

This Polaris Slingshot features

Battle Star Galactica Ships.

Eric takes a picture of the

Cylon Raider Ship from the

Original Battle Star Galactica

TV Series.

The Vendors Room and People in Costumes -

Lost In Space, the 1965 Series

Marta Kristen Kane, who played Judy Robinson on Lost In Space is signing autographs.

Two of the many Vendors at

Shore Leave 46.

A Star Trek Crew Member

from Star Trek First Contact

OR Deep Space 9 &

Doctor Doom from the

Marvel Universe

The Emporium

Live Long & Prosper

'cause every girl's crazy 'bout

a sharp dressed man...

JK Woodward is here with

his Comic Books.

There are numerous authors here. Book Sales are brisk.

The Star Trek Crewman on the

left is ready to fight....

The Vulcan uses reason

to defuse conflict.

I will return to the Vendor Room after completing my assignment for our son, Adam. He wants an autograph from Sean Kenney as Captain Pike, from The Menagerie Episode of Star Trek Original Series and one from Julie Caitlin Brown, as Na' Toth, from the Babylon 5 TV Series.

Adam gave me this handmade

Captain Pike Plush from a

Trekonderoga Convention

to show to Sean Kenney.

He was surprised to see this

rare piece of memorabilia &

offered to sign it.

I also got a signed photo

for Adam's Star Trek Wall.

Julie Caitlin Brown signed

a Na' Toth photo for Adam.

Highlights of Shore Leave 46:

Julie Caitlin Brown's

Q & A Session

I found out about the challenges of wearing prosthetics: Many hours in make up; The challenges of acting with a mostly immobile face; The extra weight actors must deal with; and The Damage done to the face by adhesives.

Q & A with Sandra Lee Gimpel

& Sean Kenney

Sandra worked on the Original Star Trek Series as a Talosian in The Cage and The Menagerie Episodes, and as the Salt Vampire in The Man Trap Episode.

At 86 she continues her career as a Stuntwoman and Stunt Coordinator. Sandra doubled for Debbie Reynolds and Bill Mumy. Due to her diminutive height, she doubles for many young Actors. Her autobiography is Stuntlady: Falling for the Stars.

Sean Kenney is best known for his work as Captain Christopher Pike in the Original Star Trek Menagerie Episode. He later was a member of the Bridge Crew.

Kenney played Doctor Howard Glass in the 1971 Cult Horror Film Corpse Grinders. He has been working as a Professional Photographer since 1980. His memoir, Captain Pike Found Alive! chronicles his life in the 1960s and 1970s.

Q & A with Gina Yashere, Zoe Steiner & Oded Fehr

from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy TV Series

They described their experiences playing Lieutenant Commander Lura Thok, student Tarima Sadal, and Fleet Admiral Charles Vance. Sadly, this Series will end with Season Two's Finale. Paramount has made its decision. There will be stories and adventures left untold...

The Scientific Presentations were great! Dr. Kenneth Carpenter presented on the Hubble, Webb, and soon to be launched Roman Telescopes. The Hubble Telescope looks for distant asteroids and takes photos of Stars, Planets, and Galaxies in Deep Space. The Webb Telescope looks for Infrared Light, the heat in Deep Space. Scientists have the ability to study the very first Stars and Galaxies, AND photograph the birth of new Star Systems.

Dr. Kelly Fast of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office presented on her work coordinating the search for Asteroids, cataloging and tracking them, and coordinating with International Counterparts. Searching for and tracking Asteroids is only part of the work. Matching the precise Defense Plan to an approaching Asteroid is essential to keep Earth safe.

As the crowds build at Shore Leave 46, I struggle to identify some of the costumes.

A Weyland-Yutani Biohazard

Team is removing Facehuggers

in Alien 3

Then I remember that Science Fiction is Storytelling and it covers many Historical Eras. The characters attendees choose to come dressed as are limitless.

A classic Ren Faire Costume &

a Furling from the Star Gate 1

TV Series

An Infected Zombie &

a Star Gate 1 Soldier

A Victorian Steampunk Character

& a Steampunk Air Pirate

Star Trek Shore Leave 46 is a celebration of hope, adventure and imagination.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Adirondacks Visitor Center in Queensbury, New York

The Adirondacks Visitor Center is located on Interstate 87 between Exits 17 & 18.

The exterior of the Visitor Center reminds me of an Adirondack Great Camp. The large Camps have steep rooves to allow snow to slide off them instead of piling up and leading to possible roof collapse.

The high ceiling has open

trusses, just like Adirondack

Great Camps.

The Chandelier on the right

is make with Deer Antlers.

Deer are plentiful in the Adirondack Mountains. Male Deer shed their Antlers each year. Locals, Hunters, Hikers, and Campers come across them in the woods collect them. Some are sold and some have been used to decorate the Great Camps and rustic style homes.

Adirondack Chairs in one

of the sitting areas

They are very comfortable Chairs.

Skiing is popular in the

Adirondack Mountains.

Taste New York

This Visitor Center features

the Tastes of New York

State.

The Vending Machines are

stocked with Foods &

Non Perishable Items made

in New York State.

There is abundant seating

for travelers to sit &

enjoy New York State

Foods.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Walkabout With Wheels Travel Blog Breezes Past 3,000,000 Page Views

A big thank you to everyone who spends time browsing WalkaboutWithWheels.Blogspot.com.

Eric and I sold our 2004 Winnebago Vectra Motorhome in Yuma, Arizona this past winter and returned to Schenectady, New York.

Settling into an apartment takes time. The most recent Blogpost was on April 11, 2026. And yet, there are photos to browse and brief descriptions to read.

I appreciate all of you for taking a moment or two to explore America with Eric and me.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Homeward Bound: Northeast to Schenectady, New York

A Tractor Trailer Truck

towing two others.

Warm Glow Candle Co.

Outlet Store

This is a great Roadside

Attraction.

Welcome To Ohio

The Heart Of It All

Mike DeWine, Governor

Jim Tressel, Lt. Governor

I think this Tractor Trailer is

hauling a GIANT part for a

large Power Plant OR...

Dr. Frankenstein is

experimenting again.

The Columbus Skyline

Eric takes the ramp for

Interstate 77 North &

Cleveland.

The road ahead...

This Barn has seen

better days.

Following signs to Interstate

Interstate 271 North to

Interstate 90.

Erie, PA

Interstate 90 runs

East/West.

Welcome to Pennsylvania

Est. 1681

Let Freedom Ring

Josh Shapiro, Governor

Early April snow in northwestern

Pennsylvania.

The Lead truck & a VERY

Wide Load in the left lane.

Welcome to New York

Experience Explore Enjoy

STOP &

STOP in the Seneca

Language.

Eric & I are traveling in

the Seneca Reservation.

The Seneca Allegany

Casino

M AND M West End has

Regular Gas for $3.26/gallon

in Salamanca.

Salamanca is the only city in the United States inside a Reservation.

A Carton of Cigarettes

is $27.50.

I checked the price of 1 Pack of Cigarettes in New York State: $14.83, including $5.35 Excise Tax. A Carton, containing 10 Packs cost $148.30. Excise Tax is not charged on cigarettes sold on Reservations in New York State and the prices of cigarettes are much lower.