Thanks (again) to Angela’s law enforcement connections, we got to bypass the thousands of people crowding the streets at 11th Ave. along the Hudson River and enjoy the festivities up close and personal. We got access to the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks event at Hudson River Park, including booths, food trucks, music and goodie bags, and best of all, we sat on the lawn on the Promenade - you can’t really get any closer unless you’re actually on the barges! Happy Independence Day!
Janet’s daughter Ellie is working on a fun project at school, and I was honored to be asked to help. Flat Stanley is a character in a series of children’s books, and the assignment was to send a flat version of themselves on a journey to a faraway place. Ellie wanted to send her flat self somewhere really far away, so she sent Flat Ellie to visit me! One day, we went ice skating at Rockefeller Center, went to see a show at Radio City Music Hall, and visited the Empire State Building. Another day, we took a boat out to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty. Here are the photos of Flat Ellie’s adventures out and about in the Big Apple.
Flat Ellie ice skating at Rockefeller Center Ice Rink
Flat Ellie getting ready to see Madagascar Live! at Radio City Music Hall
Flat Ellie and Auntie Jen down the street from the Empire State Building
Flat Ellie on a boat on the East River, with Manhattan in the background
Flat Ellie on the boat, with the Brooklyn Bridge behind her
Flat Ellie with Auntie Jen and her friends, in front of Liberty Island
Flat Ellie in front of the Statue of Liberty
Flat Ellie really enjoyed NYC, and I’m hoping she will convince real Ellie and her family to come visit me soon!
One of my friends has a connection to some of the law enforcement agencies in NYC, so we got a special police escorted tour of the East River, Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty. After experiencing this very important New York monument without having to battle the tourist lines and crowded ferries, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do it the “normal” way!
Jessica and I on our private police escorted boat - with two police officers and a special agent on board, I’ve never felt safer in my life!
Brooklyn Bridge
Nicki and Jeff
Inside the boat
Flying down the East River
USS Intrepid on the Hudson River
The Concorde
Submarine
Statue of Liberty
The whole gang (including Flat Ellie!)
Disembarking at Liberty Island. The tourists standing in line for the ferry to Ellis Island were taking pics of us as we docked. Not sure if they thought we were bad guys or special visitors.
The original torch
Looking up towards the crown from inside, at the base of the Statue
View of Ellis Island from the top of the pedestal
Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge
Lady Liberty’s shadow
We had to join the civilians on the regular ferry back to Manhattan.
Thanks to Angela for an amazing experience and an informative tour of the Statue of Liberty!
After Wednesday night’s snow storm, all I wanted to do was stay home and build a snowman in the yard, but grown-ups don’t get snow days. So I had to wait until today, after I’d run all my errands. Here he is!
A California girl is totally capable of building a decent snowman!
OK, so it’s a little touristy, and super spendy, but it’s a classic, and with the Restaurant Week deal, we just had to do it. A 3-course meal, vodka cocktails, my girls, and Boris the bear, who doubles as a fish tank. Yay girls night!
