Day 5 - New Year's Eve

Kim and Robert started the day very early by going down to the taping of the Today show. They wanted to get on TV, but not sure is they did. Did you see them?

Getting back at around 10:00, we then all went to Popover Cafe on the Upper West Side. The food was very good, and we got an unexpected treat as we were leaving. We saw Lawrence Fishburne (you know, Morpheus in The Matrix movies) having breakfast. We decided not to bother him with autograph requests, since he was enjoying New Year's Eve with his family. But just so you know, his voice sounds just as cool in person as it does in the movies!

We then took a stroll through Central Park, and stumbled upon The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Wow. Even though much of it was damaged by a bad fire in 2001, we could still go inside and see a lot. It was incredible!

We then went to see the Seinfeld restaurant at the corner of 112th St. and Broadway. Robert was pumped. Then we walked over to Columbia University, which was also incredible. Robert and I both want to go there! Robert for his BS, me for my PhD. We're working on Kim...

Wow...we did a lot today, because after that, we went to Macy's, Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, FAO Schwarz, and finally back to the hotel. And it's only 6:00pm! In a little while, we're going to head to Applebee's at 50th St. and 7th Ave, only 7 blocks north of Times Square. If all goes according to plan, we're going to stay in Applebee's until almost midnight, and then walk outside and watch the ball come down. Hopefully that will work...I'll let you know in the next entry...

Kim and the kids by the reservoir in Central Park

Who knew Central Park had waterfalls?

Altar at St. John the Divine

One of the side chapels at St. John the Divine

Kim and the kids in front of the Seinfeld restaurant

Myles and Robert in front of the Columbia Library

Carolyn and a toy-soldier-guy at FAO Schwarz

Day 4

We spent most of today in Southern Manhattan, beginning with the 11:15 service at Trinity Church at the corner of Wall St. and Broadway. I enjoyed the service, but Robert thought it was "creepy," Carolyn thought it was "awkward," and the incense made Kim nauseous. But other than that, it was cool. Next we visited St. Paul's Chapel just a couple of blocks away, and then we spent more than a few somber minutes at Ground Zero. It looks very different now than it did a couple of years ago, because they are constructing the memorial. According to a Brooklyn native who helped us when we got lost on the subway (we ended up in Brooklyn), things are moving very slowly because of all of the politics involved.

We then headed to South Street Seaport and shopped for a couple of hours. Along the way, we picked up a sausage, hot dog, beef kabob, and chicken kabob from a street vendor from Egypt. Yummy! Somewhere along the way, it started to rain, but we still walked through Chinatown on our way to Little Italy for dinner. We picked Da Nico and had a wonderful dinner. We met a very nice couple at the table next to us who were from Salt Lake City. She was also a social worker, so Kim really enjoyed chatting with her. We went through Grand Central Station on the way back to the hotel, and watched a cool holiday light show in the main terminal.

I can't believe tomorrow is already New Year's Eve, and it's supposed to snow! Watch for us on TV! We'll be the cold Arizonans!

Kim and the kids in front of the giant Christmas tree by the New York Stock Exchange

My lamb chop at Da Nico, stuffed with four cheeses in a white wine sauce

The family at Da Nico

Kim and the kids at Grand Central Station

Day 3

So today we split up and covered different ground. Kim and Robert went to the MET and marveled at Rembrandt, Renoir, Seurat, Monet, Cezanne, Pollack, and of course, Van Gogh. They also saw the $45 million, 13-century painting of Mary and Jesus.

Carolyn and I decided to so some 5th-Avenue shopping. But first, we got Starbucks in Trump Tower and walked to Central Park, finishing our Chai Tea and Peppermint Hot Chocolate on one of the benches there. Then we went to Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters, and Coach, but decided to just pass by Tiffany & Co.

We met up in time to head to the Circle Line cruise tours for a 2-hour sunset cruise around Manhattan. It was absolutely beautiful watching the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty! The cruise was chilly, but we had a great time. We grabbed some deli dinner on the way back to the hotel and had a picnic in our room. Robert and I ventured out afterwards, and now Kim is in heaven watching the Wildcats play Memphis on ESPN2. The kids went up to the lounge to watch the rest of the Giants-Patriots game, and as for me, I'm heading for bed...

A few shots from the day:

Myles and Carolyn in Central Park

Kim and the kids looking cold

A beautiful lady

Day 2

So, before I tell about our day, let me just note that it is currently 8 degrees warmer here than at home. Amazing...

So, we began our day with breakfast from Pick-a-Bagel and then went on a tour of NBC Studios. It was pretty cool to see Conan O'brien's set and the set for Saturday Night Live - they were much smaller than what you would expect. After that, we picked up our reservation tickets for New Year's Eve at Applebees, and headed for lunch at Mesa Grill, one of Bobby Flay's restaurants. Delicious! From there we went to Union Square, visited Strand Books, and then the FDNY museum. A brief stop at Chelsea Market, and then back to the hotel before going to see Spamalot! Kim and I had seen this on our last trip, and the kids didn't know we were going on this one. So it was a fun surprise for them, and, of course, a great show!

Here are a few shots from the day:

Kim and I at Mesa Grill

Carolyn and Robert in Chelsea Market

Carolyn and Robert after the show

(yeah, Robert liked it - he just doesn't like to smile in pictures)

I Love This City!

Wow! What a beautiful night to end a long day of travel! We arrived safe and sound and only about 15 minutes late - not bad for going across the country. After a high-speed shuttle ride to the Manhattan Club, we quickly unpacked and then headed for our traditional "first night in New York" dinner at Serendipity. Great chile, the ultimate BLT, the "best hot dog I've ever had," and a bowl of clam chowder got us primed for the frozen hot chocolate - a Serendipity specialty. Ah, and it was heavenly. Then we took a little stroll by St. Patrick's Cathedral (it was closed, though) and Rockefeller Center to see the tree. Wow. LED lights and white sparklers made it amazing! That was enough to call it a day. And, our room at the Manhattan Club is wonderful. It's on the 22nd floor, and is much bigger than we anticipated. Ahhh...now for some much needed sleep...

Frozen Hot Chocolate and a Hot Fudge Sundae at Serendipity

Myles and Bob by the tree in Rockefeller Center

Headed for the Big Apple!

This time tomorrow we will be on an airplane on our way to New York! This will be our second trip to Manhattan for Kim and I, but the first for the kids. We'll be there for a week, doing the whole New Year's Eve Times Square thing! (well, kinda) We're staying at the Manhattan Club through a timeshare swap, only three blocks south of Central Park between Broadway and 7th: a perfect location!

The schedule is quite full, but includes things such as Lion King, a Knicks game, a Circle Line cruise around the Statue of Liberty, museums, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, an NBC tour, Ground Zero, Trinity Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, South Street Seaport, Little Italy, and so on and so on.

So, I'm hoping to blog throughout the trip, assuming I can find free WiFi somewhere nearby (chances are good, I think). I hope the weather cooperates tomorrow as we fly through Chicago.

And here is the weather forecast for New York:

A Beautiful Christmas Eve

With a full moon rising in the east, presents under the tree, family and friends near, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!