Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures

The majestic Cadet Chapel soars above Washington Hall and the Plain.

United States Military Academy, NY (Part 2)

Last week I shared our summer and fall adventures at USMA.  But nothing beats Christmas at West Point.

For Christmas Eve, there were Lessons and Carols candlelight services that mimicked what I imagined Renaissance-era services may have been like: stone walls that disappear into the dark night and the glow of the worshippers' faces reflecting the candlelight and narrative of the Christ Child’s birth. Both events were incredibly moving in such a magnificent space.

Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures

The Cadet Chapel glows with Christmas decorations.

The winters were cold, but not nearly as gray as we experienced in Washington state, where we had just been stationed. In the second and third years we were there, we had a couple of big snowfalls. Since my guys loved playing in the snow and I could stay warm inside, it was fun to have a few heavy snows. Careful, though! Some of the favorite sledding hills have cement walls at the bottom! That makes for an abrupt stop and sometimes a broken foot or two!  Ask me how I know.

The cadets and some families living closer to the “Cadet Area” enjoyed sledding at Trophy Point, which I have been told is both lovely to look at and fun to participate in.

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

The Victor Constant Ski Area gave the boys a chance to ski regularly.

The guys all tried out the ski slopes at Victor Constant Ski Area at least once while we were at USMA. It may not have been the same as skiing when we were on the West Coast, but my men were all smiles by the time they were home.

In the off-season, the ski lodge, as it were, was a golf course registration office. When we were leaving in 2022, USMA was in the process of building a clubhouse for the golf course.

Spring and the warm months of fall were great times to go hiking, both on and off post. There are several small hikes to the different redoubts around the post, as well as to the top of the ski slope (yes, an active and working ski slope) and down to the Hudson River that we took advantage of regularly, especially when New York shut down the state parks during COVID.

Feeling really ambitious? You can hike the two-ish miles straight up the hill from the river to the commissary. Have a car pick you up at the top because your legs will be like jelly!

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

Multiple redouts offer amazing views of the Hudson River.

Some of our favorite hikes were right out our front door to the redoubt about a quarter mile into the woods. When we had a hard snow, we tried on our snowshoes and snowshoed to the redoubt. It took much longer than on the hard ground of the dry summer, since the snow was so deep and refused to pack down.

Bear Mountain State Park was our first hike once we moved to West Point. Just south of West Point, there was a popular hiking route we only did once because it was too busy. We were slowed by groups ahead of us and bumped by trail runners behind us. It reminded us that we were in a much more populated area than the West Coast hiking trails. By the time we made it to the top, we realized there was a road there.

I felt like shouting, “Cheaters!”

Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures

The iconic Bear Mountain Bridge is just outside the state park limits.

We returned to Bear Mountain later only to see the view, not to hike. If you want to enjoy hiking because you want to enjoy nature and “get away”, I would not recommend Bear Mountain as your best choice.

After that experience, we decided to try other hikes in the area. I think my favorite was Anthony’s Nose, which overlooks the river and Bear Mountain and West Point from the far side of the river. The hike was moderately difficult, but the outcropping made all the sweat worth it! Note: There were very few other people on this trail, and no driveway up to the overlook. THIS was a much better way to enjoy nature than our Bear Mountain experience.

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

Fishing gave the boys hours of fun at West Point.

During the warmer months, the boys would go fishing. West Point had several “fishable” bodies of water. There was even ice fishing in the winter, though none of us ever braved that kind of cold. It wasn’t unusual to see some middle school boys at the Lusk Reservoir (just below Michie football stadium) fishing after school.

We did manage to enjoy the surroundings apart from hiking. The towns near West Point had shops and restaurants where fresh local produce and seafood came in from the city regularly. Adams grocery stores were a regional chain where I could take advantage of local artisans and growers. We also enjoyed some of the local farmers markets in the spring and summer.

One of the most serene places I enjoyed in the spring was also good for children who love farm animals— Jones Farm. This pleasant shop was a favorite for buying hostess gifts or locally and regionally procured treats. Jones Farm was especially known for its apple cider donuts and carrot cake. I cannot testify to those, but the vegetable garden was beautiful to behold as I sat outside to soak up the spring sunshine and fizzy water.

Spring brought scout camps and warmer days to see the surrounding area. Jon’s Cub Scout troupe had a father-son campout on Constitution Island. They got a short tour of the island, which stands at the bend of the Hudson River.

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

The Great Chain stretched across the Hudson River from West Point to Constitution Island.

They also saw the “Great Chain”, a giant chain (think of one link the size of a woman’s thigh) that was stretched from Trophy Point to the island in order to slow and wreck British ships during the Revolutionary War.

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

The boys work out excess energy at the obstacle course.

In the spring, when the cadets aren’t using the training grounds outside of the restricted area, we took the kids to the obstacle course. The equipment is open for climbing on nice days. It was perfect for getting the wiggles out. We also started our garden (in pots) and even did our own community clean-up walk after being cooped up for too long.

As an instructor, Tim was expected to have some out–of–class volunteer responsibilities to interact with cadets. We sponsored some cadets who regularly came to our house. We also opted to help with Officer Christian Fellowship (OCF) weekly Bible studies, and Tim served as an advisor for the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME).

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

Cadet covers line a table at our home.

The Cadets were always excited to come hang out at the house for home cooking and a chance to change out of their uniforms. These short periods at our home gave them a bit of much-needed physical and emotional rest in every season.

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

The boys helped with a SAME/Habitat Humanity project while at West Point.

One of the best things about these volunteer commitments was that the family could visit with the cadets as well. I made meals or cookies for OCF meetings, and the boys helped with a construction project that Tim took some SAME cadets to in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity. Time with the whole family gave our cadets a sense of family life that many had missed.

The year ended each May with the Firsties (seniors) graduating. I highly recommend going to at least one graduation ceremony while you are there. At the end, after the new lieutenants toss their covers into the air, all the little kids (think elementary school age) swarm the field and take a hat.

Our time at USMA was packed with memories. If you are considering a tour at West Point, I would highly recommend it. To get the full experience, live on post and get some tickets for football games. Go to a few summer concerts and visit (or worship at) the Cadet Chapel. If you have kids, take them sledding; even if you don’t, hike all the redoubts. Whatever you do, enjoy every season while you are there.

When you go:

All things West Point: I could have written another full blog just on the Cadet Chapel and another on my favorite hikes. Definitely check out both the USMA website  (all things school house) and the garrison website (all things garrison, including housing). They also have Facebook pages.

We didn’t make it to the museum, but it is a must when we go back.

Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures

Want a luxurious hotel stay? Sunday brunch? A special dinner? Thayer Hotel is on post, right on the Hudson River.

The Jack-O-Lantern Blaze (fall).

Ande Flagg/PCS Adventures

So….Be sure to check out the Victor Constant Ski Area too.

We’re not golfers, but I hear the golf course is good. For more information.