New York! Other than a quick drive-by years ago, this was our first visit to one of the most exciting cities in the US. We stayed at Liberty Landing in New Jersey and rode the metro everywhere from there. The RV park was unusual, being mostly a paved lot with electrical towers and a teeny section for “camping” (a 50x50’ walled section with tiny plots of grass outlined with sidewalks…not exactly back to nature). But it was very convenient to the public transportation and all we needed was a place to crawl exhaustedly up the two steps of the RV to sleep before walking another 50 miles the next day.
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| that puppy in front looks just a bit different from the rest... |
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| he's a foster pig! |
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| ah, the big city |
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| these people were obviously captured and forced into the public eye |
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| where did all these PEOPLE come from??? |
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| no time to shop |
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| Central Park dude |
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| site of John Lennon's demise |
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| memorial in Central Park |
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| just as we arrived at this carousel, Rocky Top started to play!! |
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| Grand Central Station |
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| this street is named after our granddaughter |
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| this is a big screen, and we're totally touristy in the middle left (Jay with camera and me waving) |
We called Joe (m/v Sea Pearl) for advice on sightseeing in NYC, since he spent many years there in law enforcement and security. He passed on good advice for must-sees (and good vantage points from which to see them) and also gave us the name of a local friend who could advise us. Oddly, both men always mentioned “and a place to have a cocktail” in every suggested venue. Even though it’s impossible to see and do everything, we sure gave it a try! Since we were in NYC in September of 2011, the tenth anniversary of the Twin Tower tragedy, security was very tight, with about 1 police officer for every 5 tourists near the memorial. There was also a UN meeting taking place in town, so security was tight there as well.
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| 9/11 memorial wall |
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| interesting ceiling in our viewing spot of the 9/11 memorial |
One of the must-see stops for us was Ellis Island (sadly it was too overcast to climb the Statue of Liberty so we’ll save it for another trip). We were amazed at the size of the Island and the compound. We learned a lot and were very moved after touring the compound and viewing the pictorial and documentary history of the massive undertaking of receiving so many thousands of refugees into the US.
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| well-maintained and very informative |
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| they must be related |
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| Lady Liberty |
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| approaching Ellis Island on the ferry |
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| oh so touristy on the ferry |
As we meandered through the city, we were approached by a young woman who worked for the David Letterman Show. She asked if we’d be interested in attending a taping and of course we answered in the affirmative. Even with the reservations, attendance meant standing in line to pick up passes for the taping, then standing in line to gain entrance to the Ed Sullivan Studio. Took up most of the afternoon, but the chances of us being on another TV show are fairly slim so we were thrilled and had a great time. We weren’t invited to come on stage (we don’t know why either) but Jack Hanna was one of the interviewees, so at least Tennessee was represented. No photos were allowed inside the studio, so you’ll just have to take our word for it. There were “fluffers” in the lobby prior to the show, warming up the crowd and leading pep rallies so the audience would be jovial and receptive during the taping. There was also a warm-up comedian immediately before taping, and the fluffers danced and clapped around in front of each audience section. We were warned that if we weren’t a good audience, the show wouldn’t be televised and another (happier, nicer) one would air instead. We obviously behaved, because we were able to see ourselves on the show that evening (for about 1 second, by sitting 2” in front of the screen as the audience was panned before and during the show).
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| they forgot to put MY name on there! |
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| interesting picture in the lounge as we wait for the TV airing |
After the show, we went to the top of the Marriott in Times Square for drinks and snacks in a rotating lounge so we could get a birds-eye view of the city on our last evening. Unfortunately, there had been quite a bit of construction since the lounge was built, so we had the disadvantage of some a/c units, upper floors, and an overcast evening, but it was still a great view most of the time. We ordered our drinks and the Captain saw a table with cheese, crackers, and desserts. It was time for a snack, so he filled a plate for the table. If you know him at all, you’ll know how his face looked when the waitress arrived with the bill for the four crackers and four pieces of cheese……$30. Turns out they weren’t complimentary to supplement the $15 drinks! What a great laugh for our last night (well, one of us laughed)! Toto obviously wasn’t in Kansas!!
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| this is what happens to your face when you find out what that bite will cost |
