Tuesday, April 12, 2011

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.

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

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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.
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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.
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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!!!)

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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!
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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.

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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.
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Not one thing was broken after coming so far!


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This treasure box will go beautifully in my bedroom!

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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)

13 comments:

Julie Harward said...

What a great trip and tons of fun! We went with out last two girls before they got married..at Christmas time..awesome then too! Loved all your pictures! :D

Grey Horse Matters said...

Glad you enjoyed all the things our city has to offer. The name of the church is The Cathedral of St. John the Divine. We were there recently when my grandson was baptized. Beautiful architecture, I think it's so medieval looking. Of course, my favorite part of the city experience is always the mounted officers and their magnificent horses. The Lion King is amazing isn't it? Again, I'm glad you had such a great time in the city.

Needled Mom said...

It looks and sounds like you had a fabulous trip. I can imagine how the traffic must have shocked you! It is such a great city to visit.

I'm sure the kids enjoyed FAO, the soo AND Lion King. You must have all been exhausted by the time you got home.

I'm also glad that the weather did not keep you from enjoying all the sights. (R's jacket looked familiar.) Ground Zero is such an emotional stop. I would like to visit it again and see the progress that has been made.

Pea's package was stuffed with all sorts of great goodies, wasn't it? I know the little ones will enjoy a few of those things. ;)

I look forward to more of your trip. Welcome home. xox

Sharon said...

It looks like a beautiful place to visit. Your photos are so beautiful it is like I was there with you.
I really would like to see that Church. I love taking photos of old churches in the small towns in our area.
Glad that you are home now and do try to get some rest.
Hugs

Linds said...

Your trip looks wonderful, MM!! I have never been to New York. Not yet, anyway, and I will need to remember all the great places you have been to visit. The lion King must have been wonderful too. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing about the rest of your stay!

PS I had to grin when I saw you with the NYPD horse. I just knew you would not be able to walk past him!

hippo chick said...

What a great trip. I just love visiting NYC. I don't get to go as often as I'd like, but it's always a treat.

Glad you had a good time.

~hippo hugs~

Dawn said...

I am so glad you're home safe and sound. What a great time you had. I've always been intimidated by the thought of getting around NYC - but it looks like such fun to do all the things you did. So glad you were able to post pix of all of you. Central Park looks so beautiful - as you said, it must be so nice to have a place to go that isn't covered in concrete or loads of cars.

Angie is to hear today (Wednesday) if she gets the hospital job. I wish she could have gotten out there again, but not possible time wise or money wise!

Rising Rainbow said...

The stained glass windows in that church are spectacular. I can imagine your grands must have been mezmerized by the Lion King. That would be a fun way to view it, through the eyes of children.

Sounds like you had a great trip. Visiting with the police horse is something pretty special I would think.

Dawn said...

We got snow this morning again! But it's gone already this afternoon - now for some sunshine, please!!

Hollie said...

WOW! What a wonderful looking trip!!!! I know you throughly enjoyed it, but I also know you must have been very happy to get back home! Congrats on the win!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

It does sound like your trip was a busy and wonderful one! It would be a great place to visit but it is always nice to be home again. I don't think I'll ever get there so I appreciate you sharing your trip. Thank you! I love arm chair traveling.

Carole Burant said...

First of all, Happy Birthday dearest friend of mine:-) I hope you have a most fabulous day!! I'm now back from my own trip and it's back to the old routine again. lol

I would love to one day go to New York City, I've told Steve he needs to get his passport!! Now that we can't cross the boarder without one, it sucks! lol It sounds like you all had a wonderful time and I so enjoyed looking at every one of your pictures. I always love going to a zoo but I agree with you, some of the animals' "scent" can be very powerful! lol

How neat to go to that huge toy store and watch them make Muppets! I would have wanted to bring them all home:-) Such a stunning view you had of Central Park from your hotel room. Thank goodness the New Yorkers have Central Park to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city!!

That church is absolutely stunning. I've always been fascinated with architecture like that. I can well imagine how sad it was to see Ground Zero...I don't think anyone will quite get over what happened there.

Leave it to you to find a horse while there! hehe He certainly does look huge but how lovely that the police officer let you pet him...the horse, not the officer! lol Thought I'd better clear that up!

I'm so glad you received my Easter Giveaway parcel all in one piece:-) You're darn lucky I didn't eat all the candy myself before sending it! hehe Love you dearly, my friend. xoxoxoxo

palmtreefanatic said...

you take the most fun trips! and you have the best posts ever! I so enjoy reading what your up to;)

loved the Easter goodies you got, so sweet of her!