Stop 1: Times Square for Good Morning America. Unfortunately, they were filming upstairs that particular morning, but we did get to see Ginger, the meteorologist. Erika and I were pretty excited!!! (Confession: I had no idea who she was until Erika told me. I had to google her name.)
We were so close!!!
One thing I really wanted to do was buy coffee from a New York food cart. On the way to our next stop I got my wish and the coffee wasn't half bad!
Stop 2: The Today Show. This is where Shorty and I made our national TV debut. (We kindly request that you refrain from asking us for autographs at this time, as we would like to keep a low profile. Thank-you, Kyle, for capturing it on camera!)
Stop 3: Rockefeller Center.
Stop 4: Flat-Iron District.
Stop 5: The World Trade Center Memorial. It was very sobering.
Stop 6: Freedom Tower. This is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and Erika and I decided to conquer our fear of heights and go to the very top--the 102nd floor.
The elevator was incredibly fast and the view was breath-taking.
New Jersey!
After spending a bit of time in the Freedom Tower, it was about noon, so we went to a little French disctrict/market for lunch. Of course we also needed some good coffee to spur us on for the afternoon. Erika and I agree that the coffee was amazing! We sipped on it as we walked a bit around Battery Park.
Do you see the Statue of Liberty off in the distance?
Once again, the Lord had graciously blessed us with gorgeous sunshine weather.
Stop 7: Statue of Liberty. It was quite impressive. We took a ferry to the island, which was fun.
Did you know Gustave Eiffel (who designed the Eiffel Tower) played a role in the design of Lady Liberty? Also, do you know why she is green? No? Ask Erika, she'll tell you all about it! :)
Walking around the island provided a great view of the city skyline.
Stop 8: Ellis Island. Truly fascinating. This is one place I want to go back to and spend more time on.
12 million immigrants entered the U.S. through that island--all going through this building and several hours worth of questions, inspections, and waiting...including my great-grandma on my dad's side. To be in that exact room was special.
Where my people came from! :)
Stop 9: the Brooklyn Bridge. Though our feet and legs were already pretty sore, Erika willingly walked up with me to see the bridge. Built in 1883, it is one, if not the, oldest cable-suspension bridge in the country! Although the engineering is truly impressive, all I could think about was Spot Conlon--the tough sling-shot boy from Brooklyn and my favorite character in Newsies. (I was humming Newsies songs all day.)
Stop 10: the Majestic Theatre for the Broadway performance of The Phantom of the Opera. Ever since I was a little girl, it has been on my bucket list to see a Broadway musical. I was in no way disappointed. The orchestra was spectacular (pun intended) in and of itself. Mesmerizing music, unbelievable vocal and theatrical talent on stage, the entire production was extraordinary and I'm ready to go back!
I remember studying the history of Broadway musicals in college and finding it fascinating.
Can you see Erika in the reflection?
I think it was close to 11 when we fell into our beds utterly exhausted. What a fabulous day it had been!
Random Photo Alert: Don't the buildings look like they are glued together? (Still no sign of Spiderman...)
By the way, the drive through Pennsylvania and New Jersey was lovely. The Ohio River is pictured below. (The Underground Railroad, anyone?!)
Thanks for being a great tour guide, Shorty!!!
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