Friday, August 23, 2013

Vacation – part 2 New York

Are you ready for this one….probably not when you see all the pictures.
I’ll try and just keep pictures going and not much chatter (but you know me!)

I’m going to have just New York in this post as it has the most pictures of all the trip and our most favorite day too.

We left Lancaster at 6 am after getting Dunkin Donuts for breakfast that we ate on the way….we had a schedule we wanted to keep and as the day progressed and finally got to the end we were spot on with timing – worked out beautifully.
We drove for 3 hours getting to Staten Island at 9 – easiest way to get into NY by any means is taking the Staten Island Ferry across to Battery Park – and it’s a pretty and also FREE ride as well.

Isn’t she a beauty – what a fantastic thing the state of NY does for its people offering this commuter ferry into Manhattan 24/7

Staten Island Ferry 
Emily and Joe on the ferry
- it was a most windy ride…even Joe’s short hair is blowing -
Lady Liberty in the background
kids statue of liberty

kids on ferry statue of liberty 

The first thing we did was head to Ground Zero
It was a challenge trying to find how to get the Free (donation) tickets to get in to view but after asking many wonderful helpful New Yorkers we finally found it.
Right across the street from the ticket place was the beautiful St. Paul’s Chapel built in the 1700’s that stood among all the chaos that took place on 9/11.
Here’s what the display said inside: “St. Paul’s Chapel, near the site of the Towers, opened its doors to the emergency responders, and volunteers appeared with food and socks, massaging hands and praying hearts. Volunteers continued to staff the Chapel for months afterward, and prayers were offered as human remains were sought and retrieved in the ruins of the Towers.”
People are still leaving flowers and mementos on the fence surrounding the church yard.

I didn’t get a picture of the outside but got one of Emily inside with the displays.

Memorial 1

Ground Zero just made you want to cry at what took place there and the memorials that are now being put there are incredible.
The Reflecting Pools are so beautiful. I had more pictures but this is enough
 
reflecting pool

us at reflecting pool

kids at refling pool

Freedom Tower
memorial 2

Then we took a cab to Time Square…kids thought this was the ‘ultimate New York experience’
Our cab driver was a bit funny too – and the close calls had the kids in constant giggles.DSC01129

So on to Time Square – lots happening there!
This ‘thing’ I think it was a man – took Emily and had a little fun with her.
lady liberty and emily

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time square 1

new york 1

Police Segways
Police segways 

us new york 1

And then a bit of the ‘unbelievable’
I don’t know what this was about but it speaks for itself…strange!!
angel lady

After our tour of Time Square we headed for lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
This is a fun-overpriced restaurant where your servers entertain you while you eat
and then pass the bucket for tips along with getting a tip on the bill!
Our lunch which was 2 Patty Melts, 1 Cheeseburger and a bowl of Macaroni & Cheese and 4 sodas and tip was $93.00 OUCH!!!
But the kids enjoyed it even though we were on the 2nd level
the servers entertain up there as well. They all try and get seen and get a part on Broadway
at Ellens Stardust Diner 

at Ellens Stardust Diner emily 

Then we got on the subway…another first for them…and headed up to Central Park.
first subway ride

first subway ride 1
We knew ahead of time that we would take a carriage ride in the park but when we got there a young guy hit us up for a Rickshaw ride and we were so glad we did that instead of the carriage.  We opted for the one and a half hour tour and so happy we did that as it took us through most of the park.
us in richshaws

fountain central park

carriage central park

john lennon Strawberry fields memorial

And of course we could not leave the park without seeing another ‘oddity’
I don’t have a clue!!!  He was just doing all sorts of Yogo moves – sort of reminded me of a sundial

man in jock strap

We then stopped into the lobby of the Plaza Hotel.
I do so want to do this one day. 
They have several different types of Teas they offer but these were my favorites.
Now mind you this will never happen but it’s fun to dream!

CHOCOLATE TEA
SANDWICHES AND SAVORIES
Cucumber, Radish and Green Herbs
Smoked Salmon and Endive on Black Bread
Roquefort, Shaved Red Grapes and Watercress
Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Pesto
Roast Beef and Horseradish on Pretzel Roll
SCONES
Freshly Baked, Warm Seasonal Scones
Double Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and Preserves
PASTRIES AND SWEETS
Black and White Cookies, Apricot Rugelach, Chocolate Cupcake,
New York Cheesecake, Lemon Tea
$60 per adult

or this one…

ELOISE TEA
SANDWICHES AND SAVORIES
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Cucumber, Buttered Bread
Organic Peanut Butter and Jelly
Strawberry and Cream Cheese Sandwich
SCONES
Freshly Baked, Warm Seasonal Scones
Double Devonshire Cream, Preserves
PASTRIES AND SWEETS
Assorted Cookies, Chocolate Cupcakes, Pink Pink Jello,
Eloise Shortbread Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
COLD PINK LEMONADE
OR
PEPPERMINT ICED TEA
$50.00 Per adult

$20 dollar will be added per person for sharing

Wouldn’t it be fun to have one of those menus sitting in this grand dining room?
I see there were a couple of tables enjoying one of these special menus.

plaza dining

Then off to FAO Schwarz Toy story
Kids enjoyed the walk through there too – had their picture taken with some Legos
Statue of liberty legos  emily legos

Oh and despicable me…isn’t he cute!!
emily toy store

After that it was on to the Empire State Building.
kids empire state bldg

view from empire st bldg

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And just when you think you are over a thousand
miles from home someone yells…
’Well if it isn’t the Martinsens.’
Friends of Emily’s were there too…now what
are the odds of that happening again.
emily and friends

This was the last of the tour for them in New York…and for you too!
I know this was a long one but I never lied to you that’s why I broke it up for ya!
The next post will be of the last 3 days…not much going on just Hershey, Amish country and the Lititz Craft show.

Thanks for joining me again

Karen

19 comments:

  1. Hi Karen,
    Thanks for the pics! I see New York is still very entertaining, Ha! I guess if you've got it ...flaunt it?
    I use to have the best times there in my younger years.
    Looking forward to your next post!

    Audrey

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  2. Oh wow, Karen! how did you manage to pack so much in? That was a fantastic day in NYC and makes me want to go back soon!Some of the sights were just 'bare cheeked!!!'
    Can't wait to see part 3!
    Best wishes
    Christine

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  3. If I ever go to NYC I'm taking you as a guide!

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  4. Don't you just love New York? Wow! You packed so much into one day - well done. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  5. Great pictures! Looks like you packed a lot into your trip. I've never been but my husband is born and raised in NYC. It is on his bucket list to go one more time and take me.
    It seems overwhelming.

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  6. Oh wow Karen, what a fantastic trip! Brings back lots of memories for me when I was there ages ago. The yr. we went there was scaffolding all around Lady Liberty as they were repairing her that yr!!
    Looks like you hit all the fun parts of the city!!
    Hugs,
    Tanya

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  7. Hi, Karen,
    Looks like a great time is being had by all. Love all the photos, the WTC pool is beautiful, I didn't realize things were so far along...it is never in the news anymore.
    Melinda

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  8. Oh, man, why didn't you take me with you!! Loved the post. :)
    Judy

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  9. Thanks for the tour, I live in NY, but never been to NY City!

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  10. I loved your tour of New York! I have not been there but looking forward to it!

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  11. Karen...I enjoyed your vacation photos...thanks for "taking me along". Yes, I see what you mean about a sundial...he obviously has been standing out in the sun WAAAYYYY too long!! Yes, even Texas has those kinds of folks riding bikes around here ....quite startling to come upon them in traffic! Glad you had fun.

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  12. enjoyed the journey!
    great photos, except for those 2, the woman, (probably a commercial),and the speedo guy, weird yes. the kids looked like they were having a ball!

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  13. What a wonderful vacation and such memories for your grandchildren. Looks like you had soooo much fun! Thanks for sharing the photo's. And you know no matter where I go, I always seem to run into someone that I know. Have a wonderful day! hugs, Lecia

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  14. How wonderful. We were on a mission trip in Boston directly after 911 and stopped to see Ground Zero...they had cleared most of the debris and we could see a big hole. it was very sad.. I would love to go back and see it now..I know the kids loved the trip. what a blessing for them. I know you home will be nice too. Blessings!

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  15. Aww so much fun...I loved it :)
    Hugs xx

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  16. Loved your Post Karen.
    Beautiful photos.
    Looks like a good time was had by all.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Sandi

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  17. I want to go on vacation with you! You didn't seem to miss a thing and even saw an "angel"!!!! The kids must have had a wonderful time!!

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  18. Oh, Karen...what a great trip...and how wonderful to enjoy it with the kids! My brother went to NYC last summer with his students from Clarion U. and I wish I could've gone too. He visited Ellis Island and saw the entry with my mother's name when she came over at age 6. It looks like you had a wonderful time and made a lot of memories with the kids. My brother , too, was so deeply moved seeing ground zero...when he talked about it, his voice was so hushed. Thank you for sharing...Jan

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  19. I've taken a few trips to NYC. It is a fun place to visit. I haven't been back to Ground Zero since they added the reflecting pools, how pretty! Great pictures of you and Doug and of the kids, love those smiles! The rickshaw rides look like lots of fun and for that long, there was much to see, I'm sure. How funny that you ran into friends of Emily, that many miles from home... so odd.

    Glad the kids got to experience NYC, it'll be memories they will always treasure~

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So glad you came to visit - feel free to leave a comment.
I will try and answer as many as I can - maybe not immediately but I will get to you!

Karen