Monday, March 8, 2010

A New York Minute

This was maybe the shortest weekend on record here but for some reason the post telling you about it is quite the opposite.

Sorry.

Hubs was in Taiwan last week and didn't get home until Saturday morning.
We promptly went out to breakfast.
Raise your hand if you love to go out for breakfast.

Monday rolled around too soon and my hubs left for Belgium today.
Now, had I been the one arriving home after eighty seven hundred hours of flying across multiple time zones knowing there was another long haul flight just a day and a half away...well, there is only one place I would have been.

On the couch.

Napping.

And in between naps I'd probably be a little bit cranky too.

When I travel I need lots of time on either end of my trip to recharge. But my hubs arrived home looking like himself and full of energy...we ran some errands, went to the movies, shopped for his mom's birthday gift and went out to dinner too. And there is for sure no way I would have spent Sunday afternoon traipsing around New York City but he was up for it so...

We took the pup and headed over to Battery Park. The park is in the financial district, not far from the World Trade Center site. We tend to think all things modern when we think New York and we sometimes forget New York was an early settlement. The fort known as Castle Clinton sits in Battery Park.


Today you buy your ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island here.
Old world meets new.


Battery Park gets its name from the cannon battery installed here in colonial times to protect the settlement from invasion by sea. A portion of the wall of the original battery is still here in Castle Clinton. It was discovered during subway excavation.

Revolutionary war soldiers had no idea.


Also sitting in Battery Park is this metal sculpture known as The Sphere.
It sat for many years in the plaza of The World Trade Centers but was badly damaged during the 9-11 tragedy. It was placed in Battery Park as a temporary memorial to those who died in the attack.


We headed out of the park and we came around by Ground Zero.
It is full of cranes and rubble and construction.

It is still astounding to see.

And sad.

Especially against today's bright clear blue sky.

We continued walking and passed St. Paul's Chapel which is located just across from the WTC site. This sculpture is known as the Trinity root.


There was an enormous old sycamore tree outside St. Paul's chapel which helped shelter the chapel during the blast. The tree itself was ripped out of the ground and an artist made a mold of the stump from the tree and used other tree segments to make the sculpture.
Life and the resilience of the human spirit.

Further up the road is the magnificent Trinity Church which is very similar in design to St. Martins in the Field in London. It is Gothic and so beautiful. Alexander Hamilton is buried here.


Anyone see National Treasure? At the corner of Broadway and Wall?

We kept walking.
Did I mention that we walked a lot?

Hubs had the brilliant idea that we should head to Little Italy and get a cannoli
from Ferrara's bakery.

Uh, okay.

I don't think I'll say no to that.


If you are in NYC you must go to Little Italy and have something wonderful from Ferrara's.


It's an institution.


And right across the street is this amazing shop know as DiPaolos.


The cheese.

Oh my.

We bought some fresh mozzarella and parmesan along with wonderful bread, sausage and antipasto and headed over to the nearby park to eat.
The area around City Hall and the Courthouse is lovely.


And full of squirrels which put Dixie on high alert.


'If only I could squeeze thru these bars....'

On the way back to the car we decided to walk onto the Brooklyn Bridge.


I had no idea there was so much foot traffic on this bridge.
It's designed for both walkers and cars so we figured why not?

Empty Nesters people.

At this point our feet were pretty much screaming so we headed for the car.
I couldn't resist one more picture.


I'm wondering what a clothing bargain for a millionaire would look like?

Too bad my camera was in the backseat because on our way out of the city we stopped at a red light and glanced over to see John Stossel on his bicycle. He was easily recognizable but you'll have to take my word for it.

This kind of day makes me long for spring.
Not a speck of snow on the ground in NYC but our yard is still covered.
I know it was a bit of a tease but I'll take it.

And for an abbreviated weekend we managed to pack a lot in.


I think this says it all.

16 comments:

  1. What fun! I have never been to NYC. Bummer that your husband is out of town again. :(

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  2. WOW...I don't know how your husband does it. I would have been exhausted and would not have been able to move after all that traveling.
    Blessings, andrea

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  3. Oh. My. Such a great experience and post! This has me thinking that I should become more like your hubs... up for the adventure! :) What a great time. Your sweet pup mirrors how I would feel after all that walking. Precious.

    So sad to see ground zero looks the same as it did in '08 when we were there. I'm ready for another New York fix!

    Clothing bargains for millionaires?? Crack. me. up.

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  4. I don't know how your husband keeps up the pace. And I just love how you all suddenly to decide to do something else to add to a full day. Great post and fun pictures!

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  5. I'm amazed that your husband was up to all of the activity, too, Joyce. Wow. But he probably slept alot when on the plane possibly?
    Loved the virtual tour of NYC with you. *sigh* I love NYC and want to go back so much!
    Love the pic of Dixie....all tuckered out! :-)

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  6. I LOVE to go out to breakfast! Your Hubs must be programed to roll like that, eh? If I were you, I'd be worried about the retirement years ~ you are going to be tired! Ha

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  7. Mr. CPQ keeps on rolling when he comes back from trips. He's learned that if he stops, it's ALL OVER.

    Thanks for taking me on the tour with you. I'll add a few of those spots to my "What to do in NY" list.

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  8. Yum! OK, how many cannolis did you eat? I would have had at least 2. I'm just sayin'. And the fresh mozz?? Come on! Yaw killin' me heah. (In my best NY accent, of course.)

    Awww, NY. You did it again, Joyce. You made me want to hop right on a plane and go there to experience some of that. Walking on the Brooklyn bridge sounds good and seeing Ground Zero is definitely humbling. It amazes me how God protected St. Paul's chapel.

    I have never been to Ferraras, but you bet I will one day. Lord willing. :-)

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  9. You ARE my blogging hero! I had no idea there was a fort in Battery Park...missed that one on my 1 visit to NYC. Must put it on the list!

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  10. I am so jealous of your life! You just pop into NY on a Sunday and see so many great sights! :)
    J/k I´m glad you enjoyed yourselves! You are blessed to live in such an interesting area. And your hubby is my hero! :)

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  11. Great pics from a fun day! Did Dixie wear her little booties to the city?

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  12. I have never been to NY. Would love to go sometime. Enjoyed your pics. What a fun day! Sweet pic of Dixie, bless her heart!

    until next time... nel

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  13. Joyce,

    Whew! Feel like we were right there alongside you all. It's always been a life dream of mine to visit NYC and hoping some day soon to make that a reality.

    Thanks for taking me along through the visual tour with you!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  14. Wow!!! What a nice day in NYC!
    I love hearing about your visits there. Y'all definitely make the most of the day when you're there.
    I loved visiting St. Paul's. Did you go inside? I thought it was such a neat place that told so much about the days following 9-11.

    That husband of yours has some kind of energy. I can't even imagine wanting to go to NYC knowing I had another huge trip ahead of me in just a couple of days. I think it's great though.

    Do you ever get to travel with him on business trips?

    I'm going back to NYC one of these days......I can't wait. Yep...Melinda and I are talking about it.

    It may be next year, but we're coming. :) You'll be the best tour guide ever by then!!

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  15. What an awesome day trip you guys had. Such fun! I'm with Valerie, we are definitely coming to NYC to see you. You will know all the best places to visit. I hope our girls are loving their time in Florida. Have a great week. Enjoyed your post. Farrera's looked like my kind of place. Love those desserts!!! Love & blessings from NC!

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  16. oh my, you have made me want to go back to NYC again! i speak of little italy often and i hate that i missed Ferrera's! i will make it there next time for sure. i just did a post on my family blog about some of the things i miss about the city. canolli's in Little Italy were on the list...GREAT POST!

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