Giggle: Family

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This past weekend I flew out to New York City with my sister-in-law, Dawn and mom & dad in law, Jim and Linda. I had such a fantastic time! Before I get into the details of what we did and sharing some of the 533 photos I took, I first would like to say THANK YOU to Jim and Linda for essentially being my hosts while in Manhattan. Everything was so wonderful - thank you so much for your generosity with the show tickets and everything! I very much appreciated and I so enjoyed every aspect of the trip! Thanks!!

On Friday morning Dave dropped me off at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport. Dave was a bit nervous because I was only arriving one hour before the set departure time. However, apparently LaGuardia airport or Delta likes to delay vacations and our flight departed two hours late. Dawn and I hung out in the airport chatting about this and that; but mostly about the upcoming trip and what we'll do and see while there.

We finally arrived at Laguardia at 5:30 pm - prime Friday night rush hour. The Taxi ride took us longer than anticipated; but we still arrived in time to enjoy some fantastic sandwiches Linda picked up from the Deli around the corner before heading out to our 8pm Broadway show for the evening - Memphis.

We arrived at the Shubert theater 20 minutes early so we took a quick jaunt in the rain up to Times Square to check out the scene and snap a few photos.

Then it was time to walk back in the rain to the Shubert theater and settle in for Memphis.

Walking back to the theater in the rain - I have drops of rain on my lens.

Memphis takes place in the underground dance clubs of segregated 1950's Tennessee where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with rock and roll and Felicia, a beautiful black singer. Memphis is an original musical with explosive dancing, irresistible music and a wonderful story of fame and forbidden love.

The show was FANTASTIC! The dancing and music were electrifying. I was dancing in my seat during the show.

(Photography is NOT ALLOWED in the Shubert Theater -- the above photos are from http://www.memphisthemusical.com/)

When we left the theater we noticed a crowd gathering at the side door of the Shubert Theater. Then we heard a girl's shriek. Naturally we went to check it out and there were a two of the cast members signing autographs.

Crowd outside of the theater

Derrick Baskin - played the character of Gator

More members of the cast.

Linda, Dawn & Jim

Me & Dawn

Since the rain stopped we took the opportunity to walk back up to Times Square again and check out the scene.

9-Face with Go Daddy -- I have to say I did prefer it when Target dominated the NYC 9-face.

I liked the graphics

Shurbert Theatre again

Lion King Theater

More Times Square

Ed Sullivan Theater - Letterman was not taping when we were there so we just walked by the theater.

Then we walked back to our hotel from the Times Square/Broadway - 42nd Street to 76th Street just 34 short blocks. (I'm not being facetious here either - they were short blocks.) We stopped at the market/deli for some late night snacks then headed back to the room to turn in for the night and so ends day one of our trip.

Day Two

We started day two of our trip with some bagels and smear from the deli around the corner then headed downtown to the 9/11 Memorial. We took the subway downtown. When we emerged from the subway I saw my first glimpse of the construction underway of the Freedom Towers.

Freedom Towers under construction

More construction photos

As you can see it is a very sunny morning. I should also point out it is about 38 F with steady 20 mph winds. It was a very COLD and BLUSTERY day in New York!

Fire Truck we saw along the street as we walked to the entrance of the 9/11 memorial.

It was a very cold walk and then we finally saw the sign...

We arrived on time at 10am for our entry into the memorial. It is free to visit the 9/11 Memorial; however, you need to arrange for passes prior to your visit on the website. We waited in line outside of the temporary entrance as the main entry for the Memorial is still under construction.

Snapping photos of the Freedom Towers while waiting in line to enter the 9/11 Memorial

Signs along the wall while waiting to enter the Memorial

While standing in line waiting to enter the Memorial my eyes started to water from the wind and the cold. Then tears started to flow just thinking of the significance of the Memorial. The terrorist attacks and all the people that lost their lives -- then my brother Shawn went to Iraq with the Air National Guard directly because of these attacks. My brothers friends Mike and Jordan were also in Iraq serving and fighting for our freedom. The tears were the mixture of feelings I was experiencing -- my brother and my brothers friends came home while I was about to see the names of many people that never made it home.

When we turned the corner we saw this building. The World Center Hotel. We thought we were about to enter the Memorial; but we were wrong. We first went through security - just like going through airport security only you didn't have to remove your shoes. Then we exited security and showed our passes no less than 5 more times. I do understand why all the security measures are in place but showing your pass you printed from the internet 10 times doesn't really make something more secure does it? Especially when you have 10 foot fencing on either side of you. But I digress...

Looking into the South Pool

South Pool

I did not take any photos of the North Pool because it was turned off due to the high winds. The wind gusts were very severe at the North Pool evening blowing hats off of people's heads. Yikes!

However, it certainly looks beautiful outside doesn't it? Just remember - it was DAMN COLD!

We stopped at the 9/11 Visitor Center (glorified gift shop) before taking off for our next destination. Do remember that the 9/11 Memorial is still under construction so the museum and other buildings do not open until late spring/summer of 2012.

We left the 9/11 Memorial and walked into the wind 10-12 blocks down to Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. I lost count along the way.

This was my first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty - I saw her out of the corner of my eye. So I tried to capture the photo as I saw her.

We hopped on the FREE Staten Island Ferry for our ride over to Staten Island and back. I snapped MANY PHOTOS along the ride...

Staten Island Ferry Building.

Ellis Island

Miss Liberty

Can you see the LONG LINES of people? Now think of the 20-50mph wind gusts and you will know why I didn't venture to take the tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I'll save that for another trip.

Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Ferry

Miss Liberty standing tall

Statue of Liberty - you can see how windy it is by the flag and the white caps on the river.

Manhattan

Brooklyn Bridge (first bridge) and Manhattan Bridge behind

Manhattan

Then it was time for lunch. We hailed a cab and headed over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood to try Grimaldi's Pizza.

Brooklyn Bridge

Our cabbie got lost along the way. OOPS! He was kind enough to stop the meter but we decided to walk the last few blocks instead. We found Grimadli's just like we were told we would find it on Front Street UNDER the Brooklyn Bridge

(I didn't take this photo - found it on-line here.)

Another photo I didn't take - but wanted to include to remember. We stood in line for about 20 minutes waiting for a table. We found out later that was a SHORT wait. Typical lunch waits range from 45 minutes to two hours.

The pizza was outstanding! Dawn and I ordered a small italian sausage and mushroom pizza to share. Jim and Linda ordered a Ham and mushroom (if memory serves). The pizza toppings were perfectly balanced with cheese, sauce, meat, mushrooms, and fresh basil. The crust was cracker thin and amazing. I would stand in line for 2 hours to have this pizza again. Hopefully I'll luck out again and only have to wait the 20 minutes we waited this time! Even if I wait 10 years to go back to NYC Grimaldi's will still be there...it's THAT GOOD!

We said good-bye to Brooklyn and took a cab to midtown then got out and walked around and decided to walk through Grand Central Station.

Jim, Linda, Dawn and me

Looking down into the gallery

Then we walked into Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station and saw the Academy Awards...

Dawn on the red carpet

Dawn striking a pose on the red carpet

Michael Douglas' Academy Award for Wall Street

How they cast/make an Academy Award

Dawn thanking the Academy for her award

I received one as well.

I have to say Oscar is heavy. The award looks lighter than it actually is. Then it was time to say farewell to Grand Central Station. We set out on foot and continued to explore the city.

Natural History Museum - we didn't go inside.

Chrysler Building

Random-- Mickey Mouse and Cookie Monster on the street

Rockefeller Plaza - ice rink

30 Rock - Ice Rink.

I did contemplate going Ice Skating however only so many people are allowed on the ice at one time so there is a wait. Then it was expensive - more than I wanted/desired to spend for ice skating! Granted it is NYC and it's all about the experience.

Dawn, Linda & Jim

Dawn and I

It was CrAzY on 5th Avenue the people were out in force to catch a glimpse of Cardinal Dolan

All the people on the sidewalks waiting to see Cardinal Dolan

St. Patrick's Cathedral - Newly promoted Cardinal Timothy Dolan led mass here on Saturday.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

All the police officers waiting...all the folks you see in this photo are police officers.

I think this is an episcopal church -- on 5th Avenue

Trump Tower on 5th Avenue. This is the building the Apprentice is filmed in. One of Dave's favorite shows

Looking up at Trump Tower

Trump Tower's neighbor is the famous 5th Ave Tiffany's

Tiffany & Co

The Plaza Hotel

Fountain in front of Plaza Hotel - I'm sure it would be much more beautiful if the water were actually running

Dawn resting on a bench in the courtyard/plaza of the Plaza Hotel and Jim figuring out what our next course of action will be.

Central Park

Peeking through the trees at the buildings along Central Park

Temple Emanu~el - 5th Avenue

We continued to walk up 5th avenue in the blowing and blustery wind. Yes we are still on Saturday and it is still freaking cold and windy! So we decide to duck inside and see the Frick Collection.

The Frick Mansion - photography was not allowed - this photo is from the website. Currently there is a Renoir exhibition at the Frick Mansion.

Umbrellas - Renoir

La Promenade - Renoir

After viewing the Frick Collection we decided it was time to hail a taxi and head back up to our home base of the Upper West Side to freshen up before dinner and our evening entertainment - Jersey Boys.

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. The story dramatizes the forming, rise and eventual break-up of the original four members of The Four Seasons. The musical is separated into four 'seasons', each narrated by a different member of the band. Act 1 comprises Spring (Tommy DeVito) & Summer (Bob Gaudio); Act 2 comprises Fall (Nick Massi) & Winter (Frankie Valli); each member has a different perspective on the band and his contribution to it.

While watching the show I couldn't help thinking that Dave would LOVE this show. And he would have sung the songs from the show for the next month - December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry, Walk Like a Man, My Boyfriend's Back, Can't Take My Eyes off of You, and more.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the jukebox musical! Jim and Linda kept playing down the tickets they purchased - back of the house. We were third row from the back of the theater but you would have never known it. I honestly don't think there is a bad seat in the house. Well unless you were seated near the Jersey Boys SUPER FAN. She was seated in the front row - stage left. She couldn't stay in her seat - she was up dancing and gushing over the guys on the stage. The ushers were down there at least times making her sit in her seat again. It was fun to watch from the balcony; but I was glad we were not seated near her as it would have been distracting while trying to enjoy the show.

After the show we explored Times Square again. This time we happened across the Sports Illustrated billboard so I snapped a shot for Dave.

Then we hopped on the Subway at the 50th Street Station which I've nicknamed the Alice in Wonderland station

50th Station mosaics

Other side of the station

Day 3

We all slept in on Sunday morning. Ahhh...nice! We grabbed a taxi outside of our hotel and headed to the Lower East side. We planned to start our morning at the Tenement Museum.

We arrived a touch early so we got out of the taxi a few blocks early and walked around looking at the architecture on the Lower East side.

Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York City political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society. It was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City and New York State politics and helping immigrants, most notably the Irish, rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s. It controlled Democratic Party nominations and patronage in Manhattan from the mayoral victory of Fernando Wood in 1854 through the election of John P. O'Brien in 1932. Tammany Hall was permanently weakened by the election of Fiorello La Guardia on a "fusion" ticket of Republicans, reform-minded Democrats, and independents in 1934, and, despite a brief resurgence in the 1950s, it ceased to exist in the 1960s.

After exploring the neighborhood we went into the Tenement Museum to meet up with our tour group.

Jim selected the tour: Irish Outsiders:

Our tour guide led us outside and we walked down the street to 97 Orchard street and began our tour.

Photography was not allowed in the building and I respected the rules. (Despite my great desire to snap a photo of these leather children's shoes in the corner of the room.) However, I DID find photos of the Irish apartment we saw on our tour on-line:

Irish Immigrant Kitchen

Parlor

I HIGHLY recommend visiting the Tenement Museum and taking one or two of their tours if you are a tourist in NYC. Especially if you love history.

Then we were off exploring the neighborhood headed to our next destination, Babycakes Bakery.

I saw this and HAD to take a photo to remember to look this up when I got home. Found them on facebook -- their internet site keeps timing out.

"Sterling, when we hit Manhattan, the city just rolled over on its back and purred." -Ken Kesey

We have been criss crossing the country for over a year!! Million Dollar Road Trip has covered over 60,000 miles and been to all 48 contiguous states (plus Hawaii). Now, we are hitting the streets of New York City!

Beginning in November, we will be living in the Airstream trailer in Manhattan for 100 days. During this 'Urban Trailer Living Experiment' we will be searching for great small businesses and entrepreneurs in the 'Big Apple.' We will be making new content, awarding more grants, and putting the Airstream in front of millions of people.

Want to find us? Follow us on Twitter (@MillionDollarRT) for our up to date locations.

Interesting to say the least! Not sure if this is THE airstream as their facebook page said they had left NYC when we were there; however here is a photo of the airstream on the street in the Lower East Side of NYC on 2/26/2012.

Dawn at Babycakes Bakery

Babycakes is a delightful bakery offering all-natural, organic and delicious alternatives free from the common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, and eggs. Dawn purchased a few goodies to try for herself and for her kids at home. I have to say the donuts and the cookie & creme sandwich she purchased and shared with all of us was simply Delish! NUM---MMMEEE!

Delicious Donut

Jim patiently waiting and inhaling the delightful smells of the bakery.

Then we were off again. Heading to our next destination -- LUNCH!

We continued to walk enjoying the neighborhood. Walking through an old market and just taking in the sites, smells, and sounds of the lower east side. Then we rounded the corner and our lunch destination could be seen...

Yes, we headed to the legendary Katz's deli for lunch. The home of "I'll have what she's having." Don't know what I'm talking about? It's a line from one of my favorite movies of all time:

When Harry Met Sally - Scene from Katz's Deli

I did not have what she had. (I was with my in-laws and sister-in-law after all...that may have been a bit awkward eh?) Instead I had a the most fabulous melt in your mouth pastrami sandwich I've ever had...

Not only was it delicious it was HUGE! My sandwich was the half a sandwich in the foreground, the other half is in the background on Dawn's plate. Thankfully I was able to share because it was much to large of a sandwich to eat the entire thing all by myself. Especially if I was going to have sour pickles too! Jim - FANTASTIC idea! I have to give him all the kudos for this one! (Dad - you need to go here and partake in a pastrami on rye or sourdough. Goodness it's GOOD!!)

For dessert Dawn pulled out a scrumptious goodie from Babycakes to share:

It was CrAzY busy in the deli

But not too busy for workers to check out what horses to bet on at the races...

Then we were off to our next destination - Little Italy and Chinatown. But we were in no hurry so we took our time exploring as we went.

We stopped at Russ & Daughters and checked out the high end appetizers that the likes of Martha Stewart purchases for dinners and gatherings.

Then next door they sold Gelato...so we stopped.

I happened to turn around and caught a glimpse of the Empire State Building.

A building that was tagged.

Then we found Little Italy...

Loved the red fire escapes

So did Jim - he's telling to take a photo of the building with the red fire escapes here.

Busy street

Then the camera was put away and Dawn and I hit the shoppes and shopped our way through Little Italy and Chinatown. We were even told of a secret room behind the mirror where we could purchase Coach, Michael Kohrs and so forth. We didn't go in the back room. I asked one of the sales ladies in that store if they had Kate Spade in the back room ~ nope. Oh well!

We met up with Jim at the end of the street at a park in Chinatown.

Locals singing in the park

This was as close as I could get - notice the sheet music. It's in Chinese. (duh - of course it is...but I thought it looked pretty.)

Lots of game playing and gambling going on in the park as well

Cards and chips -- no idea what they are playing.

Linda and Dawn - Chinatown

A Chinese store

Linda and Dawn - we stopped for Dim Sum and tea in Chinatown to warm up and rest our feet.

Then we parted ways for the evening. Jim and Linda went to see Million Dollar Quartet and Dawn and I continued to shop...

then our feet were getting tired and our wallets were getting empty so it was time to leave Chinatown and head up to the Empire State Building

Empire State Building Observation Deck

Sunset at the top of the Empire State Building

The sun is almost set and gone for the evening...

Not a great photo - but can you find the Statue of Liberty?

Dusk at the Empire State Building

Humm....I wonder where Times Square is?

Brightness of Times Square shining up

My best shot of the Chrysler building at night

This one isn't too bad of the Chrysler Building

Looking down at the Ice skating Rink

The actual view through the grates.

Dawn at the top of the Empire State Building. I took this photo a bit early before she had a chance to smile...but the photo where she's smiling...

is a bit blurry! GRRR!!! I'm kicking myself for not taking a few more photos...but we were tired and ready to drink wine and relax before dinner.

Me at the Top of the Empire State building with wind blown hair and all my make-up gone from the day of being in the wind and cold.

Dawn in the lobby of the Empire State Building

Then it was time to hop the red line back to the Upper West Side. We stopped for some wine then kicked our feet up and relaxed until we met Jim and Linda for a late dinner. We had a carefree, cheery, gay evening.

Day 4

Our last day in Manhattan and it was BEAUTIFUL outside. It was 50 and sunny with only a slight breeze in the air. Much different than our previous few days. Our plan was to explore Central Park and then go to MoMa. But I couldn't bring myself to go INSIDE on such a glorious day!

But before we could wander through Central Park we needed to complete some business first. While in Chinatown the day prior Dawn and I each purchased perfume. Dawn also purchased some agave nectar. Well we both planned to do carry-on no checking luggage to avoid the $25.00 checked bag fee. Well we couldn't carry on our purchased items. DOH! So we found a post office and mailed our perfume and the agave nectar home. Dilemma solved!

Photos of the Upper West side as we walked to the post office...

Fire Station

I took this photo because it reminded me of an old Tgt coworker that would like to open a bar here in the Twin Cities.

Our Hotel -- I didn't take a straight on shot as part of it was under renovation

Iron work

Mother and Daughter walking

Upper West Side Brownstones

Completely Random....UHAUL - with Alexandria MN on the side...

Daffodils in Central Park

Snowdrops in Central Park

Crocus in Central Park

Belveder Castle

Dawn and Linda

Bethesda Terrace -- looking towards the lake

Bethesda Terrace -- looking towards Bethesda Terrace Arcades

Linda and Dawn - Bethesda Terrace Arcades

Ceiling tile work in Bethesda Terrace Arcades

Central Park

Saxophone player in Central Park

Central Park

Flowers in the grass

Linda and Dawn walking

Drinking fountain - "Wallace Walk"

Clock outside of Central Park Children's Zoo

Then we said good-bye to Central Park and walked over to MoMa

Walking towards Radio City

Right after seeing these we saw our celebrity sighting - Biff Henderson the stage manager from the Letterman show

Our last stop - downtown. MoMa. I went into the museum store and picked up a few things. Then we hopped in a taxi and drove back up to the Upper West Side. We had lunch at the Shake Shack. NUM! Fantastic Shake! Then it was time to go back to the hotel to pick up our bags, hop in our town car and head to LaGuardia and then Minneapolis, MN.

It was a FANTASTIC Trip! I had a wonderful time with Jim, Linda and Dawn. When we were leaving Linda said - same time, same place next year. Dawn and I looked at each other and said SURE! *Giggle* Although - I think if they all go next year it will need to be Dave's turn to go instead.

Thanks for reading this 4130 word post and viewing 204 photos of 533 I took on this trip. :)

Written 12/18/2011 | Back Posted to 11/26/2011

The day after Thanksgiving Dave, Zach, Dawn, Rob, Brady and I all drove over to visit Cave of the Mounds.

We drove to Blue Mounds, Wisconsin which is just 25 miles west of Madison. So a quick drive from Monona where Dave's parents live.

We arrived just as a tour was starting. They were watching the video pre-tour so we joined the movie late and then took the tour with the kids.

A guided tour of the Cave takes you past a varied collection of colorful stalactites, stalagmites, columns and other formations. The main cavern began forming over a million years ago as acidic water dissolved the limestone bedrock far below the surface. As Cave of the Mounds staff like to point out, geologic time is mind-boggling. It is difficult to imagine the time it took for the large caverns to be dissolved within rock that is itself believed to be over 400 million years old! ---Cave of the Mounds Website

I took many photos of the formations that we saw....so you can now take a photo tour of what we saw. *smile*

Please note I tried to take all my photos without flash, the light provided are the lights installed in the caves to showcase the formations and to light the way for visitors.

Formations in the South Cavern. These formations are over 15 feet high. If you look at the base of the photo on the right side you can see shadows of the tops of heads of Rob and Dave.

Additional formations in the South Cavern