Day One

After three hours of sleep and the push of morning traffic we jumped in the car and headed for Manhattan. I could tell Eric was excited as our official road trip "photographer" snapped oodles of pictures on the trip in. Great trip in, with no traffic tie-ups and parked quickly (50th and 9th). Eric was just as freaked as I was the first time as I handed the attendant the keys. The weather was excellent, although a bit humid for my liking. The day was set aside so we could stroll about and take in the sites, to take the pressure off Saturday and Sunday.

• Day 1
  • Broadway - We basically hopped out of the car and into the New York Theatre district and Broadway. During our walk through the area we passed by theatres for Chicago, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, etc. Glitzy looking, and will be a focus for a future trip with the ladies. Tickets run $100 plus but if our Lion King excursion last trip means anything, its well worth it.
  • Times Square - Just'a hopping!!! Everything from double decker bus tours to the Naked Cowboy in full force. We had considered a bus tour but held back on the idea at $50.00 bucks a pop. We were planning on hoofing it anyway. We cruised over 6th Avenue checking out all the sites. Peter hit the vendors hard (as per his last excursion) and had his fix of "Vitamin H" - Hot Dogs. Eric took some cool picks... there isn't much space along this route that isn't covered with an ad in some way, shape or form. We walked South and then North on the other side of the street all the way to the Central Park Entrance. The horses at the main gate were looking pretty pathetic, it was just too warm for them.
  • Central Park - We took a much deserved rest in Central Park. Different in bloom as compared to our March visit. We settled near the playground in the South end and grubbed up on snacks that Jane had prepared before we left. Cheese, meats, crackers, carrots, waters... all kinds of goodies. Peter went hard in the park, running what seemed like in circles and climbing the rock faces prevalent in this part of the green space. We weren't sure if it was the exercise or the water fountain that had him soaked, but he was out of steam when we left. On our way down Central Park South Eric took some shots of an impressive series of statues donated to NYC from all over the globe. We stopped on 5th Avenue and grabbed an ice cream which Peter particularly appreciated.
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral - On our trek back from Central Park we took 5th Avenue and stumbled across St Patrick's Cathedral. This impressive building was too much to pass so we went inside the opened doors and, after a quick bag check, sat in pews about halfway up. There was a mixture of tourists and worshipers that littered the expanse of what I would consider an ornate piece of gothic architecture. We sat for a few minutes inside, where it seemed cooler, and gaped at the stained glass, alter, rooms, sculptures and ceiling. An odd haven in the midst of so much bustle, and it was interesting for me to see faith in that setting. Upon leaving, there is an amazing view across 5th to a monument lined up perfectly with the front doors of the cathedral (see Gallery). I'd like to experience mass there some day...
  • Empire State Building - We continued down 5th Avenue in search of the Empire State Building, not to go up but just to see the site. Curiously, it didn't seem to "ominously" stand out among the buildings as it came into view. We took several pictures from across the Street, as there was major construction going on around the buildings lower floor. It is impressive, as we would learn from the harbour views we would see on Saturday. However, more pressing issues. We had put a lot of miles on and it was time to grub up and get somewhere cool for a refresher.
  • ESPN Zone - What a great time we had here. We stopped on the loop back and settled on having something to eat. Lots of TV's, sports, great food and nostalgia. After refueling we went to the top floor games area where Peter and Eric went to town on the air hockey and bowling. Peter also played a couple of video games which were a riot. We left rejuvenated and sauntered back through Times Square to where we meandered back to our parking garage. Found everything there in order.

Evening Planning: Got onto the West side highway very quickly. However, on the way home we hit wicked traffic. There was an accident before the George Washington Bridge as well as back-ups all the way along the Hutchinson and Merritt Parkways. Doubled the length of time for the trip home. The holiday exodus killed us. We were glad when we finally hit the pillows and settled on heading in for Battery Park and hopefully a tour of the Statue of Liberty with Steve in the morning, after a good nights rest.