New York can expect us back again

New York can expect us back again.

We want to create some good memories here, and the crappy cold, that came and went as did the rains and cold weather have left us with some memories we would rather forget. Ticks here in the park were also a problem we didn’t expect, will try to avoid these when we return.

Croton Point Park was where we stayed close to the train to the city, and a beautiful park, except for the ticks. We stayed a couple days at our site before we went to New York. Polly sick, so just took a couple days off and stayed put. We went to the city on Saturday on the train with some help from people as we went, people are very friendly here, and helpful. Once we got to Grand Central Station we had to learn about a subway transfer as work happens on the subway on the weekends so a couple lines were down and we had to take a subway that is called the 42^nd st. Shuttle to get to Battery Park and the place to get our paper ticket as we had bought a ticket on line as we were talking with another couple on the train on the way in. This made the line up less, and price was less too.

Polly and I in the window 

Looking at the train we take to the city across the water of the Hudson River

Hippie Bus we had parked in park long term.

Was a good day to see Liberty Island and the Lady Liberty. Many people in the lineup to get through screening, was like going through airport screening, just able to keep our shoes on. The boat was packed on the top deck as were we all wanted to be to see all we could as we approached the island. The ride was short, and was taking pictures as we went. Polly was still a little sick, but doing well today as we started to see the statue and get a few pictures up close. Funny how we have so much anticipation as we approached the island.

Yes the Statue was huge, and was all we thought it would be, and once we exited the boat and got a little room, was very enjoyable on the island. We walked around the statue to her front, got our share of pictures amongst all the others, with selfie sticks out, and people taking pictures for others, and posing all over the place. Was quite a show and after a few shots ourselves we walked around to the side of her with a few less people here I took a few more, and one as we were behind it looking at the crown, and this is where I noticed later there were people with there faces looking out the top of the crown!

We stopped into the gift shop to look for a bell for Memere, Polly looked I stayed on the rails looking around. People were voraciously buying many things here, just had to have a piece of this place I guess. We sat and had a coffee, also I had an ice cream cone and Polly a big Pretzel. Was good to just stop and watch the groups of people coming off the boats bringing them in, and how they did as we did, and walked around to the front of the statue, and got there look at Lady Liberty.

Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River. Replacement is 4 years into the project.

Re-purposing the smoke stack as a cell tower

High rock on the other side of the Hudson River as we pass on the train

Bridge as we get close to cross to Manhattan 

Many people on the subway to get to the south end of Manhattan

Freedom Tower

Our first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty

Heard this name many times in movies

Had chairs for people that came to the park by the ferry, was nice to see.

The Battery where we picked up our tickets

OK Out with the selfie sticks...

Look closely here and you can see a person looking out of the crown

These Helicopters were patrolling hourly around the city

Polly having a good laugh

Ready to enter the boat

Polly and Manhattan in background

Looking back now we were tired by this time, as the ride into the city, then finding how to get to where we needed to be to get a ticket, then lineup to get to the boat, Yep much mucking around to get to this point. Felt like a tire with a slow leak now, as we headed to the boat to return to New York, the stop at Ellis Island wasn’t something we wanted to do now as we were hoping to get to the 911 memorial next. We watched as some got off at this stop, but we stayed on and watched the loading of other returnees, and I thought as we watched, how must it have been when so many people came here from Europe looking for a better life. How must have it felt to them watching over the edge of the boat looking at many people ahead of them, and not knowing what lay ahead. Must have been very scary, as well as exciting. These people are what helped make changes we see here today as we look over a huge city all built by men and women over many years. I have noticed that much of the building here in the east is of the English style, much brick, and similar as what we saw in London.

Once we were under way again toward Manhattan we saw a cruise ship exiting the city, and with all the other traffic on the water was interesting how this ship could make it through. It did though, and others made there way around it, some even looked like they would race the ship out. Traffic was a big problem here in New York, even in the harbour as many boats for tourists as well as ferry's for commuters make there way to and from in and out of this busy place. We docked, and slowly exited the deck as the people that guided us yelled for us to hurry off, yep felt like cattle here doing this.

After we got our bearings again we asked an official looking guy where the 911 Memorial was, and off we went to see this. Was not far from here, and we didn’t know what to expect. The site is two big water falls that represent where the two towers stood, and a memorial building where you could pay to learn more of the event and what has changed. We opted out of this, instead we looked at what was here, and took pictures of the new building looking forward, the Freedom Tower. Beauty building here now, and another being built close now. Life goes on, good to remember, and good to move on. We did notice people we very respectful here, no laughing and joking, people really come to remember and think of those that lost lives here. Was a solemn experience.

Next a beer in an Irish pub, O'Hara's is a fireman's pub, and we didn’t know this till after we got seated and looked around, most tables were reserved, I guess we got there as people were getting off work. This pub has capitalised on the 911 event by making tee shirts with the twin tower shot etched on the back and there logo on the front as a way to advertise there pub. They are very close to the site, and have been for years I believe, but since 911 the whole area has changed I’m sure. Inside the pub there are patches from all over, off firemen's uniforms, one even from Canada above where we sat at the bar, no tables for non fire people. We finished a beer and off we went toward the subway to find dinner.

Grand Central Station had a food court we were told, so we went straight there as we learned how to navigate the subway. Once we got to the food court, we found out it was sweaty & hot in the ground where it was located, so we searched around the outside of the subway station till we found our way back in and sat at a bar that advertised a $12 burger if you sat at the bar. Well we were in! Bar Burgers, and a beer was all that we needed today for a dinner, and we met a couple from the city who gave us a few tips about the city, and where to go and what to see. As we looked around the station I realized this was the biggest open room I had ever ate in, we were in the hall of the Grand Central Station, What a great way to have a dinner. We heard clapping and the guy we met says right away, “Another proposal” I didn’t get it, till he explained that many people come here to get married, and propose here often. I can see why, is a fantastic place to be, so much going on, and such a huge place. The windows were gigantic, and the ceiling was setup like the stars, with the constellations lit up.

I can see why they called this place the “Grand” Central Station, it is.

Now full, and ready for a ride home on the train, we make our way to the ticket booth, for directions. This place is central in the station, and has someone there all the time to help you with directions. This was just a part of the station and the metro info, we found out that almost everywhere you went you could get good info from a metro person, who you could identify by the crest on there uniform, and they were always helpful.

Our Ride home was nice, less people, as rush hour was over, and train was on time. Was a good first day in NYC, hoping to get more time in as we are here till Tuesday we plan.

Not to be, as the days go forward Polly gets sicker, and stays in bed for wow, a full day and night, she was in the worst of it, and now I get it, so we are in for some sick time. Was not in our schedule, so increase time here to Thursday, should be OK I think. As the days move forward, bed time and much hacking and coughing was the play of the week, and neither Polly or I had this in our plan. Tuesday we went to the city again, Polly was over the worst, and I thought I was OK to make a trip in and get some touring in, I was wrong, but good we went, as that night was the worst for me, so good we went when we did.

When we got to Grand Central, we exited and used the phone GPS to find where we were going, I didn’t pay attention and we went about 4 blocks the wrong way, so was a morning for a walk... Polly was not impressed! We made our way back, and on the way we almost walked by the St Patrick's Cathedral, Wow was this a surprise. Was on our list to see, but didn’t have it in our sights today, good we stopped and took a look. Polly was so impressed, she said was like Sacré-Cœur in Paris, was huge inside, and many rooms on the outside walls with different times in history depicted. Polly lit a candle, and I took pictures, we are on a different level in a church, but both have an interest. On we go till we get to the center, and as we approached it we saw all the people taking pictures, out with the selfie sticks again, and many poses... There is a huge figure in front of the Rockefeller building, a balloon like blow up doll, and the center court is all set up for lunch it looks like, with huge umbrellas but not many people there. Many flags around, like a celebration, but no exact celebration apparent. Kind of odd is what I think. Polly says maybe the Graduates we see walking around, could be for them. We make our way into the building with the help of a security guard, and left the non celebration behind.

Love this add on the side of a van!

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

We planned to go to Rockefeller center, and up the tower to see the city from above, I didn’t know about the history that surrounded the building of this building. Was built during the depression, when everything looked bleak in the world, and has an interesting story about how this was just one place that moved ahead even under depressed times. We made our way to the top of the building and got a good view, even if fogged in ceiling prevented us seeing the top of some buildings, we got to see Central Park from above. We spent an hour or so looking around the viewing platforms, and was lots of room, as was cold out, so people stayed inside more than coming out to look. Took some pictures, and identified the buildings we knew, and some we didn’t with the help of a booklet we got as we came through the building. Was a good decision for today, and as we made our way down and through the gift store (always on your way out) and out onto the street, rain had started now, so quick to the subway, and with some help we made it back to Grand Central, and a drink, but no lunch, now I was feeling sick again, but worse. No more city today I say, Polly is OK with that, and we make our way to the train and home we go.

Grads Polly figures are in for the lunch at the Rockefeller Center

observation deck in the fog on empire state building

Not a good night for me, and we decide the next day our trip to NYC will have to be continued another time, as sick, weather and ticks on our Bosco was just too much to take, will make a trip here again in the future, as time we have planned for USA is about to run out, June 6^th is or return to Canada date.

We did see New York City, and we are happy with what we did see, but will return. For now we are on our way north toward Boston area, going to the city probably not going to happen, still sick, and will make short trips, and closer to where we are camped. We are learning to alter as we go to do what we can, not what we had planned when healthy.

Just another lesson in travel, sickness is something I have to allow time for, even if it isn’t in the schedule..... lol... Cough, Cough...

Life still good here in New York...

Loving the Journey with wide open eyes here in the North Eastern USA