Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas!

Quite a switch going from our little town of 8,000 to the Big Apple! I will never complain about traffic here again even in the summer when the tourists are in town on their way to Acadia National Park.  Quite a sight to watch all the cars, cabs, buses and trucks careening through the streets leaving very little space between them! YIKES!
We had a great time in New York though.  There is just so much to see you can’t take it all in in four days.  I guess the highlight was going to the Lion King with the grands and watching their expressions as each new character came out on the stage.  I would go again and I’m sure they would too.
We went to Central Park the first morning and it was delightful, I can just imagine in the summer when everything is in bloom how nice it must be for the residents to get a break from the concrete and traffic and seeing trees, grass, flowers and of course the zoo.





We loved the penguins even though their aroma was enough to knock you over!

The forsythia was in full bloom and so pretty up against the huge boulders. Yes, we all had on our winter coats as it was very cold all weekend but it didn’t dampen our spirits.




The kids had FAO Swartz on their list of things to do so we stopped there on the way back to the hotel.  It is a HUGE toy store!!!!! I enjoyed watching them make the Muppets, it was fascinating.



We saw all of the traditional sights like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Soho, The Intrepid, Ground Zero which was very moving, after all these years and they are still working on it.  I liked Rockefeller Center and all the ice skaters and flags.
  This is the view from our hotel with Central Park in the background.
 
We went into one of the most beautiful churches that I have ever been in.  It had gorgeous stained glass windows and carvings.  We toured each room and listened to some of a service that was being held.  I can’t imagine how long it took to build it!  It was The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  (Thank you for telling me the name Grey Horse Matters!!!)







 


There were water taxies galore taking people back and forth to the Statue of Liberty.  They estimated that there were over 10,000 people there that day!


Of course horses always catch my eye.  This was a NYC police horse and he is 17.2 hands high!  We were surprised when the officer said we could go visit him, he was a gentle giant.  He just loved the attention.  He is half Belgium and half Thoroughbred.








There is more but I will put that in the next post.  I did want to show you the lovely gift box I received from Miss Pea for winning her Easter Give Away.  It was just loaded with goodies and I had so much fun unwrapping everything.

Not one thing was broken after coming so far!



 


This treasure box will go beautifully in my bedroom!


Thank you Pea, that was really special and I am enjoying each and every thing.  I must admit that I have eaten most of the candy already, the only thing left is the chocolate bunny and I am saving him for Easter!!  xoxox
I have been so busy since getting home that I haven’t gotten around to visiting everyone but I will put that on my agenda for tomorrow and get caught up with you all.  :o)