April 7, 2008
From NYC to Jersey: A Photo Tour
Thursday morning I woke to the sounds of police sirens. For a split second I thought I was at home, sleeping peacefully in my own bed (the occasional police car races down the busy road behind my house, so I wasn’t startled by the noise). When I opened my eyes and saw the brick building outside my hotel room window, I quickly remembered I wasn’t in Wisconsin and I never sleep peacefully.
The alarm clock in my room was set for 7:15 a.m., but again my internal alarm went off twenty minutes ahead of my electronic wake-up call. I was groggy and then I realized that technically my body thought it was 5:55 a.m. What was I doing awake so early? I slept well for the most part. The bed wasn’t very comfortable, but I was so tired from the night before, I could have slept in the bathtub and never noticed.
I started the morning lazily. I was hungry, but I didn’t know where I wanted to eat for breakfast. I had a list of “must-see” attractions I wanted to get to, so I prioritized my itinerary, and eating an omelet didn’t make the cut.
After getting ready, I ventured toward the subway station. If I could use it successfully the night before, I would have no trouble the second time around. I had my map and studied it carefully before I left.
Then I took the wrong train. I wanted to go to Union Square and I knew I had to take the 2 train to Times Square, then get on the N train to 14th street. Somehow, I got on the W, freaked out, got off at Herald Square and waited for the N Express. I’m so glad I memorized the directions and carried that subway map with me.
After exiting the subway and visiting Union Square for a moment, I walked seven blocks south on University Place to Washington Square Park. Greenwich Village was bustling with people, mostly college students from NYU, which I passed along the way.
I fell in love with the townhouses on Washington Square North and Washington Mews. Again my mind wandered to eras past. I tried to imagine what life was like in New York circa the 1800s.
Beautiful Townhouses.
After daydreaming, I grabbed a Village Voice and a copy of The Onion and parked my behind on a bench. It was peaceful, well…except for the jackhammer loudly pounding nearby. Unfortunately construction was taking place in front of the Washington Arch. I still took some great photos, but the chain link fence as a back drop irritated me.
I loved watching the parents, nannies, au pairs and children playing in the gated playground. As they passed me they spoke in many tongues. French, German, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese. Never before had I heard so many foreign languages spoken in less than ten minutes.
Next I ventured up 5th Avenue. My goal was to see my beloved Flatiron. From the moment I saw that building in a photo so many years ago, I fell in love with it. I can’t explain why. The triangle shape amuses me I suppose. When I finally got there, I didn’t even know I was there until I saw Madison Square Park and realized I walked under the scaffolding adjacent to the Flatiron. It looks like crews were doing some work on the exterior.
The building is amazing. I was so drawn to the lines and the windows and the beautiful architecture. I took way too many photos from different angles. I was just so darn excited.
The Flatiron Building, my favorite architectural wonder.
Next, I stopped at a little souvenir shop and bought a beautiful snow globe of a New York City scene. When I wound it up it played “New York, New York” and the little taxi, fire truck, police car and horse drawn carriage inside moved around the Twin Towers, Flatiron building, Statue of Liberty, and Chrysler building inside. I also bought some post cards and three framed, black and white prints the store owner was selling. One was a photo of the Flatiron, another of Lower Manhattan and the last one of the Bow Bridge in Central Park, overlooking the Dakota. They are such beautiful photos.
I left the store and continued walking down 5th Ave, which is where I met Kenny Mayne. Then I went to the Empire State Building. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the line wasn’t long at all. Once at the 86th floor, I was amazed at the gorgeous view. I could see for 15 miles. The crazy pigeons made me a little nervous. I feared bird poop on my head. They are not shy, those birds. They get right up to you, hoping for food I suppose.
Empire State Building, from 5th Avenue.
Crazy Pigeon.
View of Lower Manhattan from Empire State Building Observation Deck.
After my observation from the sky, I walked up 5th to Times Square, passing the New York Public Library (with it’s Lion statues at guard) and Bryant Park along the way. I was so tired from walking and my stomach was rumbling. I remembered there was a T.G.I. Friday’s on the Square and I was so excited because they had wait staff. I could sit down, enjoy a drink and eat something — which is exactly what I did.
After lunch I took a taxi back to the hotel and got ready for my Circle Line boat cruise at 4 p.m. I dressed as warmly as I could and took a cap to the 82nd Pier at 42nd Street. The cruise was wonderful. Again, I took a million photos of everything I could.
Our tour guide was wonderful. He gave us several history lessons about New York in the old days and showed us so many great attractions from the boat. I loved the Brooklyn Bridge.
So strong, yet graceful in appearance.
I saw the World Trade Center. It was so lonesome without the towers. I started to cry just a little.
Something Definitely Missing
The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queensboro bridges were breathtaking.
Statue of Liberty
By the end of the cruise I was so tired and chilled to the bone. I walked to W. 52nd street and then gave in to a taxi. It was a wonderful day. I think I lost 10 pounds too, because my pants were falling off my butt after that night.
Once at the hotel, I ordered dinner from the Columbus Gourmet because they were just around the corner and were happy to deliver to me. I fell asleep at ten o’clock, that’s how tired my body was — but it was definitely the best day in the city.
Biggest Burger and Best Cheese Cake Ever.
Friday, after checking out of the hotel, I took the subway to Penn Station (getting my luggage on the train was a challenge, but I made it. I bought a ticket from the NJ Transit desk and headed to Jersey to see Liz from This Full House and meet her family.
It was only an hour long train ride, but I was so happy to get off at my stop and see a friendly face. Some of the people on the train were mighty strange, and I hated when the train stopped on a bridge with water beneath the tracks. It scared me senseless.
Liz and her four sweet, adorable children took me to the boardwalk. I’ve never in my life been to the ocean, so this event was absolutely amazing. The sound. The smell. The breeze. The sand. It was so beautiful and serene, even with the waves crashing to the shore. I truly felt at peace.
Liz and Me. And lots of waves.
After the boardwalk, Liz showed me all around New Jersey. The houses are big and bold and very gorgeous. Especially Bon Jovi’s house on the river.
Seriously. My entire town could live in that house.
After my wonderful Jersey tour, I got to meet Liz’s husband Garth (not his real name) who greeted me as if he’d known me for years.
We ordered Chinese, and Liz and Garth thought I’d been smoking weed when I asked if the restaurant had crab rangoon on it’s menu. Good Grover, the looks on their faces. You’d have thought I’d asked for ketchup on steak. Apparently New Jersey peeps have never heard of crab rangoon. And then to try to explain it! We were all laughing our asses off.
After that, the kids crashed from all the excitement I think. Garth (not his real name) hit the hay early because the poor man had to work on Saturday, so Liz and I made screw drivers and chatted until midnight. It was the best time. And her adorable dog Rudy slept at my feet, just like my Murphy.
Saturday morning, Liz was kind enough to take me to the airport. We drove through Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens — and got lost a few times — but thank goodness Garth (not his real name) was able to talk us in the right direction from the cell phone.
I was sad to leave but I had the most wonderful time. I was ready to go home, but when I got to Wisconsin I couldn’t wait to plan my next trip. You know, after I kissed the ground at the airport (turbulence all the way home, not good for my nerves).
“Dear Lord, please let this plane land safely…”
Posted by Dana @ 5:26 PM • Travel Mama,Uncategorized
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April 7th, 2008 at 5:37 PM, The Dana Files » Upon Arriving Home Says:
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April 8th, 2008 at 8:54 AM, Liz Says:
We had such a great time with you and the kids are STILL asking, “Did Dana land, yet?”
Oh, and I just checked and it turns out Crab Rangoon WAS on the menu at the Sultan’s Wok.
Sorry. Next time!
April 9th, 2008 at 11:29 AM, Wisconsin Mommy Says:
Your pictures are beautiful! NYC was always a favorite destination of mine when I lived in CT – looks like you packed in quite a bit in a short time!!
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 PM, NJ Guy Says:
These photos are all fantastic. And I know what you mean about the strange absence without the WTC in the picture. I notices that strange feeling as well.
NJ Guys last blog post..Sea Isle City in the Fall
January 15th, 2009 at 5:02 PM, The Dana Files » It’s a Miracle Says:
[...] keep thinking about the fact that I flew into and and out of La Guardia airport. I went on a Circle Line cruise. I can’t even fathom anything like this happening. To be on a plane one moment and then [...]