A few months ago, it came up at a Sunday School meeting that we needed to take a fun trip. Someone suggested New York City, and Monty was put in charge. She soon had info out to us all detailing price, and possible itinerary, along with other details. We mulled it over and when it came down to it…6 ladies decided to take the trip. (Everyone I know told me not to go. My health just does not allow me to walk for long distances. But, since there could be…maybe…possibly…the tiniest of stubborn streaks in myself…I signed up and pledged to be among the group.)
I was elected to describe our trip and post pictures detailing our big adventure. Could it be that’s because I’m the only one who writes a blog? Probably. But, I shall attempt to document our 7 days in NYC to the best of my ability.
At Dothan Airport…excited about our adventure ahead!
Monty insisted she was going to be ‘the Chief’ on this trip…I had to remind her that I was ‘the Queen’! All in fun…Monty was definitely in charge!!!
After a short layover in ATL, we arrived to the bitter, frigid, biting winter weather!
Boarding our shuttle (after a 2 hour wait), we soon arrived at our hotel. Checked in to lovely rooms at the Westin Times Square. We poor starving girls then struck out to find something to eat close by. Found a little hole in the wall pizza place…full of folks. Figuring they must know something..we joined the line and soon were eating the most delicious pizza rolls! Then back to the room and rest for our first full day!
We did have the fortunate luck of having 2 little deli/grill places right next to our hotel! One was old and quaint…one new and modern.
Both delicious. We visited them every morning! We found wonderful madeto order breakfasts, and delicious bagels and croissants, and hot chocolate here…
Our first play was a matinee on Sunday afternoon.
I had seen this before in Birmingham and knew it was a great play! It tells the story of what happened before the Wizard of Oz story…how the Wicked Witches, Glenda, the Good Witch, the Tin Man, Scare Crow, and Cowardly Lion…and the flying monkeys came to be! Such a funny play…great music…great costumes and sets!
When it was over, Terry, Joy and I took a taxi back to the motel…while Monty, Betty and Beverly chose to walk and go eat cheesecake! World famous Junior’s Cheesecake!!! Wouldn’t you think they would certainly bring us some? That’s what I would do. But no…Just no.
Next day, we began a 3 day bus tour that would drop you in several places around the area to sightsee. We saw quite a bit! Now, may I be perfectly honest with you here? Well, of course I can…it’s my blog! I cannot remember exactly what we did on which day. I am fairly clear on everywhere we went…just maybe not in order. But, that’s what ya get when you ask someone like me to tell a story!
*****The Empire State Building*****
This was such an amazing building so full of lovely architecture. I had never been inside before. There were 2 observatories closer to the top.
Can you spot MACY”S in the above picture. Yes, we went there, too. But this was from the Empire State Building.
*****Battery Park*****
This is a place to catch the boats or ferry to Ellis Island to tour the Statue of Liberty. The statue was closed and you couldn’t go in it due to repairs being made… and us Southern ladies…much as we love a good boat ride on Lake Eufaula…just didn’t cotton to the idea of getting on a ferry to go way over there in weather with a windchill of 21. No, Ma’am, we did not.
From one of the higher buildings a nice shot of the Statue of Liberty!
We were all admiring these beautiful sycamore trees…Joy, Monty, Terry.
On several trees we found these lovely hearts growing into the tree. Don’t know how or why.
A glorious statue depicting men and women and children coming to the shores of America. So massive and so well done.
*****9-11 Memorial*****
This was a quiet, reverent place. So hard to imagine the horror that happened here. Lovely memorial with much to make you think.
It was by far the coldest day we were there. We could not even speak as we waited in line!
Beverly was freezing….but so were we all!
This flag is made up of photos of all those who died on 9/11…
Where one of the pillars stood…
The huge waterfall at the entrance…notice the beautiful rainbow…
Tonja and Beverly…
*****Grand Central Station*****
This was so lovely. I was amazed at the architectural features inside of a building that people only pass through going somewhere else.
Sweet Joy…
Betty and Beverly down on the floor…
Terry, Tonja, Beverly, Betty… notice arches and moldings behind us…
*****Little Italy*****
We walked through Chinatown and Little Italy. We had gotten a great recommendation of a place to eat and when we got there, it had burned down. A young man came over and invited us to his Italian place. He asked us where we were from and we said “Dothan”…he said he grew up in Mariana, Fla…about 25 miles away! Small world, huh? The food was amazing! Great atmosphere, too!
*****St. Patrick’s Cathedral*****
We got a tip before we left that we should try to get tickets to see the play, BEAUTIFUL. So we did and it was fabulous! It is the life story of Carole King. She is such a prolific songwriter! It was just joyful from start to finish! Perhaps we enjoyed it so much because it is the music we grew up with! Highly recommended!
Afterwards, due to all the walking we had done all day, Terry, Joy and I were too tired to take another step! But,we started out anyway. Don’t know whose fault it was but we finally realized we were nowhere near our hotel …we had gone quite a ways beyond. We stopped and I’m sure we were looking quite forlorn…when a little pedi cab drove up and asked us if he could take us to our hotel. Thank you, Lord. We got in and he started pedaling. Then he asked if we would like a little longer tour. We said sure…as long as we don’t have to walk! So he drove us all through Times Square before depositing us at the Westin! It was so fun!
After our bus rides were over and when the busses were too late getting to a stop…Monty decided we were old enough and smart enough to tackle the NYC Subway. And so we did. We did quite well. Most folks are so willing to help if you ask…and we asked a lot! At one time, we all got through the turnstiles to the other side…except Terry. She got hung up trying to get a ticket. I mean really hung up! Finally someone helped her. Then she couldn’t get the swipe at the entrance to say GO..She swiped so many times, the machine rejected her card. Then she had to go and get another one…and the whole dance started over! Monty decided she would help. Not the best idea. Cause she got stuck betwixt and between! Oh, we laughed. I don’t think you are supposed to do that, Monty!
Terry made it!!!!!
***Macy’s***
Original wooden escalator…
Too tired to shop! Can you imagine?
*****Central Park****
After playing on the turnstiles for a good 30 minutes, we were finally on our way. We all wanted to take a horse buggy ride…but it was way expensive…so we settled for another pedicab.
Our last night, we went out to dinner…and then on to see THE LION KING.
Monty and I split this!!! Chicken pot pie!
While not everyone in our group was as excited as I was to see The Lion King….I was enthralled the whole time! I have always wanted to see the costuming and the animal puppets. It was amazing! Such talented craftspeople!
*****A few street scenes*****
We all searched for ‘pennies from heaven’…Monty will treasure these!
And the day came to head home…barely got my suitcase closed…
Even as we left the frigid temps of NYC, we saw a promise of spring…lovely flowers breaking through at Battery Park…searching for some sunshine and warmth to grow into their glory…
We watched the skyline of NYC disappear…saw the Atlanta skyscrapers…but nothing was as beautiful as the sight of open fields and farms and green! Look at that lovely green as we fly nearer and nearer to Dothan!
Oh what a glorious time we had! Some of us tired a little quicker than others, but that’s OK. We saw NYC…our friendships became stronger…and we laughed and laughed and laughed!
At Dothan Airport…home again!
As the Dothan sun sets on our grand adventure in NYC…
…we give thanks to God for safety, health, and protection. We saw how His hands guided us along the way! We know that the chance to enjoy this trip was a great big gift from Him. And we are grateful!
“Every good and perfect gift comes from God.” James 1:17
Photo Credit: Terry Walker, Betty Cain, Beverly Haynes, David Clark, Tonja Owens
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.
Leave a Comment