The Great CAmerican Roadtrip: There and Back Again - Day 4

Natalie blogging at the end of Day 4

Another early morning greeted us as we awoke in our NYC hotel at 6:15 a.m.  The morning was filled with places to go and things to see.  We were out the door by 6:45, hoping to beat some of the crowded early morning subway commuters as we made our way downtown to catch the Staten Island Ferry.

This ferry was an absolutely perfect way to view the Statue of Liberty.  We caught a glimpse at what so many immigrants got to experience as they sailed into America and see freedom and opportunity.  The morning was beautiful on the ferry, with a slight breeze and a bunzil for breakfast.  A bunzil?  That's pretzel to you.

The Freedom Tower

After we arrived back to Manhattan, we walked several blocks north to pay tribute to Ground Zero.  Construction was underway on the entire site, but nonetheless we sat across the street in silence as we remembered that fateful day.  Eventually we started walking to our next destination, when we discovered the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site.

We were too early to go in, but as we peered through the windows we met an elderly New Yorker who shared with us a little of his 9/11 story and life.  He was there in hopes of getting tickets for him and his wife for the dedication of the memorial that is set to take place in a mere two months.  It will be the 10 year anniversary.  He had a lifetime of wisdom and stories that he would have told us if we had a little more time.  He was the spirit of New York today.  When most seemed cold and busy, he showed us what a real old-school New Yorker is like.  He was nicer than any midwesterner or southerner that I have ever met on a street, which is one of the best compliments I could give.  We wished him luck and moved on walking a little taller than when we arrived.

The 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, with our kind newfriend anxiously awaiting their opening.

All the locals that we know have told us we have to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.  This bridge was completed in 1883, making it the oldest bridge in the city.  It was so awe-inspiring knowing the engineering that went behind the making of this bridge, and the fact it was so well built that it's still in use today.  We walked about halfway down the center boardwalk to take in the beautiful view over the East River before heading back.  This is a highly recommended sight.

Off to the subway once more.  This time we were headed north to visit Grand Central Station and Central Park.  Ever since seeing this video from Improv Everywhere, Natalie has wanted to see this grand train station in person.  Check and done.

On our way to Central Park, we found St. Patrick's Cathedral.  It was such a beautiful church.  My only wish was that the beauty wasn't diminished by all the great skyscrapers surrounding it.

Continuing on our way, we walked right onto the famous 5th Avenue, where all the super fancy rich people live and shop.  Needless to say we didn't fit in, so we hustled on our way through Central Park.

I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Donald Trump.  

I guess he was too busy trying to rule the world.

Plaza, the famous hotel where Home Alone 2 was filmed.
Does anyone have a Talkboy up in this house?

Exhausted from walking around all morning with all of our bags, we headed to the subway for it to take us back to our car outside the city.

Our subway led us straight to the airport.  The airport??  Luckily it did, as we snuck into the terminal to take care of personal duties.

Natalie has decided this will be one of our next places to live.

We made it to our car and were on the road again.  Our next destination took us on a route that led us through the countryside of Connecticut and Massachusetts.  It's gorgeous.  Simply gorgeous.

Memorial Hall

Making it to Boston was easy, getting to our hotel was not.  Boston roads suck, plain and simple.  If you miss a turn, you might as well drive back to NYC and start over.  On a whirlwind of turns this way and that, we eventually made it to our hotel to drop off our stuff.  We were out the door right away and headed straight to Haahvaad.  Dinner was first on the agenda, with a stop at a campus cafe.  Then we took a pleasant walk through the park, or campus rather, to look at the old historic buildings.

Unfortunately, it got dark pretty quick on us, so we weren't able to see much.  On the way to our car, we found an impromptu street concert.

Our drive back to the hotel led us through downtown Boston.  It's always fun to see how different a city looks at night than it does during the hustle and bustle of the daytime.  Boston was no different.

This marks the end of Day 4.  Much to look forward to on Day 5!

Quote of the Day: "I specialize in ass whooping," as overheard on the Staten Island Ferry.

Picture of the Day:

We took a short visit to the "Pool" at our hotel.
There was no lifeguard on duty, so I pleaded with Gnat not to get too deep.