More from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Estate

Returned to the FDR Estate avec the family. What a great day! We had a picnic breakfast on the grounds with some friends, took in the fall foliage views from near FDR's "Springwood" home and then hiked down on the trails near the Hudson River. Can't actually see the Hudson River from anywhere on the property, with the trees fully dressed, but as one Ranger said, "If it's the River you want...head north to the Vanderbilt." We were ok with just a magnificent view of the trees. You take what you can get.

Note: those green-clad folks with the Canadian Mounty hats, aka, National Park Service Rangers, are serious about their jobs! Please don't pretend you're special guests of FDR's, there's no picnicking on the area with the million dollar view. But, you can pick the apples from his apple trees, so said the fun-loving Park Ranger we found. Come to think of it, he was wearing green but didn't have the hat! Could've been an imposter! I asked him jokingly, "So is it a Federal crime to pick apples in a National Park?" He said no and told us to pick all the apples we wanted. So we did. And let me tell you, Presidential apples are just some of the finest apples you'll ever have. Just don't pick 'em on a day when he's not on the job.

All kidding aside, it's a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Stop by the Culinary Institute of America en route, park in their new parking garage, visit the Apple Pie Cafe & Bakery and grab a bunch of gourmet stuff to go for your picnic. You'll be the envy of all the visitors and the Park Rangers might even like you, too.

FDR fall foliage slideshow can be seen here.

One very Presidential apple