MY NEW YORK TRIP BUS TOUR

Well this was an adventure. I have posted the pictures in order of events. Difficult for a technologically challenged person (who is blonde as well). This bus tour was 5 1/2 hours long. It started at 3:00 and ended at 8:30.

Holly and I had done our homework and figured out which train station to drive tol, which train to take, where it would take us, what time we would get there, how to get onto the subway. (I felt like a rat down in the subway) and where to meet our bus. Lots of work before we even left town.

I'll have to say it was the best $60 I've spent to far. The bus was air conditioned and held just enough people to make it comfortable. The guide was awesome. He told us information we would never had known had we tried to see everything ourselves.

There is another tour bus group but it is a big red double decker and of course the top is open which is nice if its sunny out, but there was a BIG thunder/lightening/rain storm. They were handed white plastic poncho's with hoods and off they went. Oh did I mention the rails next to them were METAL???

So sit back and enjoy the pictures.

Nancy

This is my friend Holly who went with me to NYC.
This is our train ride.
We didn't look like this on the way back!
Some of the cars didn't have air conditioning and everyone was jammed
into the remaining cars.
It had rained that day and it was HOT and HUMID.

Me at Grand Central Station.

My first Subway Trip (it was only a minute long ride)
from Grand Central Station to Times Square.
Cost was $2.00 ONE WAY

The top picture is the Hard Rock Cafe but I'm not sure why it says Paramount.
The next picture is Hershey's candy store.

The Empire State Building.

I don't know what the first picture is of, but it's a pretty building.
The next picture is called the Flatiron Building because it looks like a ...
Flat Iron!!

Times Square!
This is busy and its a Saturday.

OK, you've GOT to click on this picture!!
This guy is called "The Naked Cowboy"
He is standing in the middle of Times Square
(see where those 2 streets come together)
Our tour bus went right by him and we got a frontal shot and an eyeful!
The lady behind me says outloud and in a SOUTHERN DRAWL,
"Why, he AIN'T NEKKID, he's got tighty whities on!"
I thought I would pee my pants.

These are the actual shows out in front of the theatres.

I just HAD to show you CHICAGO!
(He had it coming)

Check out these signs!

I think this is St. Pat's.
It's huge! It took me 3 pictures to get the whole thing.
Make sure to click on the pictures to see them even better.

This is the front of The Dakota Hotel where John Lennon lived and was shot.
Next are pictures of the building as well as Strawberry Fields which is across the street from the hotel.

This is The Dakota Hotel where John Lennon lived with Yoko Ono.
She still lives there on the 7th floor. She owns the whole floor.
A black railing was put all around the outside to distinguish her floor.
Really pretty building.

This is Strawberry Fields.
There are actually lots of parks around the city besides Central Park.

This is a mosaic in Strawberry Fields.
A man comes everyday and decorates it with fresh flowers and the peace sign.

This is Rockefeller Center (where they usually ice skate)
During the rest of the year they turn it into a place to eat.

These are two bridges but I don't know which ones.
Jack will tell me and I'll post it.
These were taken at the Pier where we stopped for lunch and bathroom break.

The front of the Staten Island Ferry building.

Statue of Liberty.

View of the city leaving Manhattan on the Ferry.

How ironic that on the radio Daryl Worley's song "Have You Forgotten" is on.
It's a song about 911.
This picture is a sign at Ground Zero.
There are people there trying to sell books with pictures of 911.
That is just RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL.

There is a big fence around the acreage.
Top pic, I managed to take a picture between the chain links.
The next pic says "World Trade Center Path Station" but you can see the reflection of the people standing behind me.
Next pic says "World Trade Center Path Station" and you can go downstairs and take a train somewhere.

A few things here to point out.
This is Ground Zero. Very solemn to be there.
The names of the victims from the towers are listed in the black signs.
Next to it is a time/picture of events that happened that day.
I couldn't take a picture of them for you, I was crying.
Next are the 2 black buldings in the background. They were damaged and as you can see will have to be torn down. There is a law in NY that you can not implode a building so they have to tear it down floor by floor. There is scaffolding and netting all around the bigger building.

This is St. Paul's Chapel, which is across the street from Ground Zero.
This church was not harmed or touched at all from 911.
This is where the volunteers, fire fighters, police etc. came to rest and be taken care of.
If you click on each of the pictures it will make them larger for you to see better and read the historic events that this church has been involved in.

This the Hotel where the SURVIVORS of the TITANIC stayed when they returned.
It is across the street from the dock where the TITANIC was supposed to dock.

From the bus, Radio City Music Hall.
Toni, didn't you try out here once as a Rockette???

Last shot of Grand Central Station on the way to the train.
Isn't this hilarious?
The sign reads "Sitting on Stairways is Strickly Prohibited".
Can you say DUuuuhhhhhh???
Oh after we made it to the train, several cars had NO air conditioning. Everyone was hustling to get to an air conditioned car! Needless to say it was crowded!!

These set of pictures were taken on our Boston Trip. We had a marvelous time! We went to Quincy Market and had some wonderful eating choices. I got some Pa-tai from a Tai place (or however you spell it! Ruthie, you know.) It was awesome.

Then we headed to Fenway Park and had a tour. That was very fun. I spared all of you but only posted a "few" of the ones I took. Even though it was hot, it was overcast.

The group then headed over to what they call "The Tomb" tour which was hoaky and overpriced. I chose to sit it out and watch everyones back pack.

Then instead of waiting for the bus to take us to the Prudential Building (where there is a mall and the entrance to the Duck Tour) Jack took us through the Victory Garden. I just wanted to sit down on a bench and absorb all the peacfullness and serenity that was there. The view was so soothing to the eyes.

Then we made it to the "Pru" building and walked around to find the food court to get something to drink. Then we headed outside to where the Duck Tour was. Each driver was dressed in different costumes. One guy wore red tights with a "SS" on his chest and a cape. The "SS" stood for "SUPER SIZE" LOL. We got the cheerleader! She is a 6th grade teacher who does this for the summer. She was REALLY good with the kids. After we were on the water, she let the kids drive and then she would slap a big ol sticker on their forhead. NO George, I didn't drive the Duck. Too many kids. All the Dominican Republic and Costa Rican kids drove it. If you ever get a chance to go on this tour, DO IT!!!

Then we had the chance to go off by ourselves and eat dinner. Since the other couple we were with and Jack both knew the area, we found ourselves at an Italian Restaurant. We wanted to sit outside but it was full so we chose to go inside for quicker seating. The Gentleman at the door told the hostess to sit us at the window table which had a RESERVED sign on it!! We were thrilled. The food came really fast and it was excellent!!!

The difficult part was getting back to the bus! We were pretty far away, the guys took off and Holly and I took our time, keeping the guys in eye view. Now, both us girls KNOW they guys went the LOOOoooooong way around, but as of yet, Jack still says NO!

We got on the Air Conditioned Buses and relaxed (as well as we could since the knee room was zilch) It was a 2 1/2 hour ride. We got home about 11:30 or midnight.

So thats our Boston Trip. Next Saturday the kids go to a water park that has roller coaster rides. Jack is going there and Holly and I are going to take a NYC tour that lasts 5 1/2 hours, but it is enclosed and AIR CONDITIONED!!! Mama didn't raise NO fool!!!

Missing all of you!

Nancy and Jack

Jack standing where the green monster seats are!

These are pictures I took while inside Fenway.
The first one was taken when they won a game (dont know which one, but I'm sure it has to do with the World Serieis)
The second one is a diagram of Fenway.
The bottom was painted on brick. I'm sure its very old. It's great huh??

Look how close we were able to go to the field.
They say that this area is the most dangerous as this is where the foul balls come.
Look at the green wall where the scores are kept. The door happened to be open which is right under the N in W.B. Mason. It's only about 4 feet high back there and NO air conditioning. The people who keep score have to look out to see what is happening as they have no electronics back there to keep up with what is going on. They rely totally on visual. I believe she said it is the only park left where the score is kept manually.