I am almost 34 years old, have lived alot of my life in Upstate New York, yet I made my first appearance in the Big Apple last weekend. Jim has been working on Long Island for awhile and we thought it would be fun for the kids and I to go spend the weekend there with him.
Our plan was to leave first thing Friday morning, so I had the car packed and ready to go on Thursday evening. When we woke up Friday, Jimmy felt terrible! He was running quite a fever and looked miserable. I mentioned staying home, but both kids made it clear that it wasnt an option, so off we went.
The drive took about 5 1/2 hours. We drove down 81 into PA then cut across toward the city. I was VERY nervous about crossing the Washington Bridge into Manhattan but the rest was a breeze. The actual crossing wasnt so bad. LOTS of TRAFFIC. I couldnt believe how close together these people travel!!! Jimmy curled up in the back with a blanket and pillows and slept for the first few hours. When we got into New Jersey, he came up front to help me navigate. We had a nice time just talking a joking around. We dont spend enough time just by ourselves. He is growing up so fast...
We made it to the hotel at about 2:30. I was STARVING so we went to grab a bite to eat then went back to the hotel and cut the kids loose in the pool. The pool was like bathwater and they swam forever. Jimmy seemed like he was feeling better, but I soon learned that that wasnt true at all.
By Saturday morning, he was REALLY REALLY sick. We had planned to visit the city on Saturday and just be lazy on Sunday, but we had to switch that around. He was in NO condition to go anywhere. So, Malarie kept busy with some things she brought and swam for over 2 hours straight. I swam with her, so I got to spend some quality time with her too. Priceless...
SUnday was a better day. Jimmy woke up feeling much better. He still had a nasty chest cough and felt a little tired, but he wanted to see the city, so we went. Our hotel offered a shuttle to the train station so we went with that. Malarie dubbed the shuttle van the "Donkey Bus" because there was a picture of a donkey in the ad on the bus. Really cute, she's hilarious.
We went from the Donkey bus to the train. The train ride was 1 hour and 20 minutes. The conductor came thru and talked to the kids. He made them a little souvenier out of train tickets. He made it clear that he was NOT the guy from Polar Express!!!
We arrived at Penn Station around noon and were met by one of my oldest friends, Kathy. We were best buds in high school. She lives in that area now and offered to show us around. We hit Times Square first. I was just mesmorized by the huge buildings and people everywhere. Very cool! After Times Square, we hopped on the subway (an experience in itself) and went to visit Ground Zero. This was something I was looking forward to. I felt like I needed to put a scale to the size of the disaster on 9/11. I really wanted to take some time and absorb the enormity of the event. I was greatly disappointed. (
Please dont see that as morbid. I wasnt there to gawk, I just needed to see it and feel it). I had been told that there was a Memorial wall set up and an observation platform where you could overlook the site. Unfortunately, the entire area is tarped off and the observation bridge had a completely obstructed view. I guess they need to try to control the access to the area, but I really feel like that site means so much to this country and that if someone travels there to see it, they should see it... Anyways....
We wandered around the area for a while then headed (by foot) to Battery Park. Mal reallllllly wanted to see the "Statue of Liverdy" and it is visible from the park. She thought that was cool.
Next stop was Chinatown/Little Italy. Now THERE"S an experience for ya..... yikes!!! By this time we had been walking for hours and hadnt eaten yet so the kids (and adults) were pretty tired. We finally made it to a little italian place to eat and sit down for a while. That improved our moods ALOT!! After we ate, we told the kids that they could pick out one thing at one of the shops to take home. Mal immediately informed us that she waned the "green hat with the black stripes". HUH??? So I started playing 20 questions and pointing out every hat in every shop up and down the street. Finally I asked her where she saw it and her answer was "the Statue of Liverdy". This confused the heck out of me because there werent any vendors down there. She finally said "The Statue of Liverdy WEARS it Mommy!!!". OH, the CROWN!!!!!!!! DUH!!! Jim immediately rememberd seeing one in Chinatown and after going to MANY stalls, we found it and it cost us all of $2!!!
Jimmy picked out a Statue/Famous building souveiner and we were outta there!!!
Ourlast stop was at the Empire State Building. Jimmy wanted pictures so we went there. I would have loved to take them up to the top but it would have cost us almost $60, yes $60!! to go to the opservation deck. No thank you, we will look from here.
We make it back to Penn Station at about 6:00. Our train was at 6:16 so we didnt have to wait long. Now I dont know how many of you have caught a train at Penn Station, but that too is an experience.... They have a list of all the trains and you have to stand there and just wait for them to post which track your train is at. As soon as the track number pops up everybody runs for the right door. It's like a big cattle drive!! F.U.N.N.Y!!!! And a bit unsettling when you are with 2 kids!!
We had bets going about who would fall asleep first once the train started moving but believe it or not, we all stayed awake for the whole ride back. That was amazing!!!!
Monday morning we had to head home. Just to try something different (and to avoid the city at all costs on a Monday morning) we took the ferry from Port Jefferson to Bridgeport, CT then drove home from there. It's was kinda cool cuz you just drive our car right onto the ferry then get out and go to the upper deck where theres a snack bar, TVs and booths by the window to sit at. Mal colored and Jimmy played his GameBoy. I read a book. Thats the way to travel!!!
The drive home was pretty bad. I was pooped from the previous day, so driving was tough. We go home at about 6pm.
I am so thrilled that my kids got to see all that they did. I am going to put some photos into a slide show and post them.... just not tonite! Stay tuned!!!
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