The US Military Academy (Army), West Point is located on the Hudson River, about 50 miles from New York City. West Point was established in 1802 and because of the forts built by the Colonial Army during the Revolutionary War, it is the oldest continuously occupied military post in America.
The views and the grounds around West Point are amazing. There are houses built on campus for some of the military and academic staff and one of the streets is called millionaires row because of the view up and down the Hudson River.
We did a bus tour around the grounds and while on tour the gave an example of a day in the life of a cadet. I think I'm glad I went to a civilian university. The cadet's day begins before 6am and it's lights out around 11:30pm. It seemed that every minute in between is taken up with classes, meals, study, fitness programs, military training and more study. You'd think that with such a heavy workload that they would struggle to fill the 1,200 odd position per year. Apparently they get over 10,000 applications each year. I guess spots there are definitely highly sort after.
While the photos show a lovely sunny Fall day, I've been told the weather is good for about 1 - 2 months per year. In the summer it is stinking hot and in the winter it is freezing cold. I think we were just lucky when we arrived.
There have been plenty of notable graduates from West Point throughout it's history. For example: Ulysses S. Grant, Stonewall Jackson, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, Dwight Eisenhower and Buzz Aldrin.
The grounds, history and heritage of West Point make it a must see for those passing through the area.
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