More Vacation Pictures

The Niagara River, just upstream from the falls.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls from Canada.

Water rushing over the falls in Canada.

 

My Crazy Life – November 20, 2011 – Barefootin’

            We’ve come, we’ve gone, and we’ve returned; and I am forced to confess that I am barefoot once again. It seems that I have become one of those people who only wear shoes when they have to (when I say I have to). While you might not think it strange in itself, you would if you knew me.

            There was a time in my life (for thousands of years) when I didn’t walk around the house without makeup and goodness knows there were always shoes on my feet. It is not as though I don’t own enough shoes to make wearing shoes an adventure each day, it’s the fact that I love going barefoot (I also LOVE shoes, go figure). How did this happen? I am certainly the one at loss here.

Not even the fact that my feet look as though they belong to a monkey traipsing through the jungle for hours on end can make me put shoes, or at the very least slippers, on in the mornings.

We returned a few days ago from another cross-country trip, this time to New York City and Niagara Falls. I assume the trip could be called cross-country. It seems like cross-country would mean left to right, east to west, so what would up and down or south to north be called. We traveled from Southern Louisiana to the northern portion of our country. And, believe it or not, I wore shoes the entire time. My feet didn’t squawk they didn’t rebel – well, maybe a little. They were actually very happy.

I bet you are wondering when I’ll stop talking about my feet and tell you about my adventures – yes, it wouldn’t be a trip with me, Lucy, if there wasn’t at least one adventure to be told!

The trip up began with removing the back seat in the suburban (the waaaaay back seat) in order to fit two huge ice chest (and two small ones) filled to the brim with prepared shrimp. It seems that you can take that little Cajun girl out of Cajun country, but she needs her fix of shrimp to tide her over until her return. So, like any good dad, Hubby trawled just for her, had shrimp peeled, packaged, and frozen JUST for Katie-Beth. In fact, unbeknownst to her, she has her own freezer here at the house (just for her shrimp.) Those shrimp filled one ice chest. The other was filled to the brim with containers of de-headed jumbo shrimp. It is now safely ensconced in her freezer in Manhattan now, and her drawer full of shrimp recipes.

 

Katie-Beth

            And, when she doesn’t feel like cooking, there is Mom’s spaghetti sauce, Mom’s chili’, Mom’s chicken potpie, and Mr. Jimmie’s shrimp and crawfish etouffee, as well as fish. We also brought up boiled shrimp and crabs. You can only imagine the feasting going on! We had a good laugh just thinking about the garbage and wondering if the New York sanitation workers would be able to identify the strange smells. Can you imagine? That must be an awfully strange smell for someone not from the South.

            The Friday we were there, we ventured out to visit Katie-Beth’s new school. The fifty graders treated us to a recorder concert.We witnessed her fourth graders receiving their tonets and playing them for the first time. We also observed several of them “accidentally” making sounds with them and having them taken away for three and five minute intervals (yeah – accidentally – as in how did the sound come out if the recorder is standing on your knee? The kids were seated on the floor.) It was too funny.

Katie-Beth is very fortunate to be part of this particular school. The principal is very involved and believes strongly in the arts. The children have a full-time music teacher – Katie-Beth – and are learning tap dancing and have extra music lessons – all provided through teaching partnerships. Each semester, the children experience different elements of the Arts. Katie-Beth has been very aggressive in obtaining monies through programs such as Donor’s Choose in order to provide the children with music instruments and opportunities to go to Carnegie Hall. You will always see me posting her projects on Facebook and Twitter for help with donations. This great program allows teachers to solicit funds to pursue worthwhile projects. Please check the site out. The site is http://www.donorschoose.org/

Getting back to our trip, we did the usual things like eat pizza at Patsy’s Pizza, and of course. I had to get my chocolate chocolate cookie from Levine’s Cookies. We also witnessed the New York Marathon. That was interesting. I admire these people for running twenty-six miles, but I have to be truthful. Why would you want to run 26 miles if you “look like crap” when you finish, and you “feel like crap” when you finish, and you “look like crap” when you finish. I’m just saying….:) But, if that’s what you want to do, go for it.

Getting back to the food, I do not think I have ever eaten so much food at one time in my entire life. Thursday, we had boiled shrimp and crabs. Friday night was a shrimp and fish fry, along with REAL fried potatoes. Saturday, there was shrimp and crab omelet with croissants for brunch (who could eat breakfast!) and shrimp pasta for supper. The in-between hours were filled with fresh fruit, and – oh yeah – Hubby’s peanut butter fudge and pecan pralines, not to mention Southern Sweet Iced Tea! The four of us had a marathon of our own that involved eating, eating, and more eating and watching as many episodes as we could of “Lie to Me.” Anytime someone asked what the next meal was going to be, we promptly dissolved into laughing fits.

We did take a short break from eating on Saturday so Katie-Beth and Jude could teach a few music lessons. Hubby and I took the opportunity to walk to Riverside Park and then along the Hudson River to the little red lighthouse. It was a beautiful day for a walk.

Wishing he had his gun.

Hubby and I attended Sunday morning mass at a beautiful little church on the Columbia University campus. There was a beautiful grotto located behind the alter. I am posting a picture of it, but it is really something you want to view in person.

We had a lovely time visiting with daughter and son-in-law. On Monday morning, we hauled an elevator full of luggage and ice chests back down to the lobby, loaded up the suburban, and began our trek across state to Niagara Falls. Once again, we were blessed with beautiful traveling weather. We drove through two wonderful little towns that reminded me of Stars Hollow from The Gilmore Girls (my all time FAVORITE show.) I told Hubby to drive slowly because I didn’t want to leave the town. I decided on the spot that I wanted to live there. Hubby even liked the town. There were flags blowing in the breeze everywhere you looked. It just looked like a town where everyone liked each other. When I described the town in those words to my best friend, she laughed. Anyone following my blog knows it ain’t so around here. I guess one can always project what you want onto something you know nothing about. I still stand by my thoughts that everyone must like each other in those two little towns we drove through.

There are times here in South Louisiana when we think we are just going to die from the awful smell emitting from the sugar mills as grinding season goes into full swing. I honestly didn’t think there was a smell that could rival the stench – that is – until we drove along some of the back roads of New York. We passed through cattle country. There were pens where the cattle were fed and did their “pooping” (there is NO delicate way of putting it). THEN, that manure is recycled into the adjoining fields for fertilizer. It was pretty bad, and just might beat out the stench of bagass. I would say it is a very close race.

Friends gave us hotel recommendations based on their stay in Niagara Falls, so I called the Four Point Sheraton and reserved our room. We did learn a few lessons along the way. When you use the recommendations of others, first find out WHEN they stayed there, AND check to see if the hotel is still in the SAME location. Just sayin’…..

The trip there was easy, finding the hotel was another story altogether. First, Sheraton did not register on the GPS in the US, only in Canada; and we could actually see the big bold letter of SHERATON! We found a Sheraton, but it was not the Four Point. We followed their directions, which led us down a deserted street, through some type of industrial plant, before the road got so rough I made Hubby turn around. The Falls were in the opposite direction, so it didn’t make sense that we were headed away from them; especially since our friends said you could walk to them from the Four Point Sheraton. We rode around some more, checked out directions and ended up back in front of the Sheraton. Hubby went in again (I was NOT going in) and asked again.

Sure enough, they told us to go back down the deserted road, assuring us that the Four Point Sheraton was there, on the riverfront. Off we went. We left the lights behind. We left the Falls behind. We left civilization behind. We bumped along an almost impassable road. We locked the car doors. We double-checked the locked doors. We drove and we drove (for seven miles). THEN, what do you think we spotted, in the middle of who in the hell knows where, the Four Point Sheraton, standing in all of its brand spanking newness, on the riverfront. It was a beautiful hotel, but we wouldn’t be walking to the Falls from there.

I always ask for either the lowest floor available or the highest. I have a policy that I go by. I either want to be able to jump to the ground or be the first rescued by helicopter. We had the seventh floor. If you travel to Niagara Falls, it is a beautiful hotel to stay at; it’s just out of the way.

The next day we headed out to see the Falls. We were so excited. We decided to cross over into Canada and see the Canadian side first; especially since everyone we talked to recommended the Canadian side. It seems everyone thinks the Canadian side is prettier – more on that later. This was our first time actually driving across the border so we were a little nervous. The border patrol takes their job very seriously. They asked for our passports and then proceeded to stare us down. It was a little intimating, but hey, I can play that game. I stared right back!

Bridge to Three Sister's Island

 

Niagara Falls, USA side

 

He asked why were crossing the border. I was thinking, duh – aren’t the falls splashing right behind you? Now, I didn’t voice my opinion, but I have a really hard time with seriousness. I tend to laugh – at the most inopportune times! He wanted to know where we were from and when we said Louisiana, a strange look crossed his face.

He then wanted to know if we had food – no on that one. We left it all in Manhattan. He asked if we had weapons and Hubby and I exchanged looks. Hubby was thinking he had a pocketknife and I was thinking about the sawed off broomstick I had. We looked at him and then back at each other. Hubby finally told him he had a pocketknife. By this time, I am barely holding it together. After asking if we were transporting liquor, he gave us directions to the Falls and sent us on our way.

We drove along the river towards Niagara Falls. It was beautiful. The school of Horticulture maintains the gardens and they were gorgeous, even for this time of year. There is a very nice welcome center with shops and restaurants right there, literally, where the water falls. We parked and began our walk. There are nice walkways along the river and you can view the Falls from afar or close up. We spent a couple of hours doing just that. You can see by the pictures just how close to the Falls you can get. We were within three feet of the edge, just watching the water go over. It was truly amazing to see.

Once we had taken a gazillion pictures, we headed back across the border. Once again, we were stopped for passport inspection. The US Border Patrol takes their job seriously as well. He took our passports and examined them and examined us, and began his questioning. He could not get a reading on our license plate so he asked the state. Why does Louisiana garner such strange looks? Is there something we don’t know? Once again, he is so serious, and I want to burst out laughing. He begins his questioning. Why are we here? Why are we so far from home? Do we have any liquor? Do we have any weapons? By this time, I am staring out the window trying to remain serious. THEN, I hear my name. I looked over and he says, “Ms. Donna, would you remove your glasses?”

I am so used to wearing sunglasses that most times I forget I have them on. At that moment, I realized that in my passport picture, I have blonde hair, and here I sat, with red hair and sunglasses! I started feeling like a fugitive trying to cross the border – and you know what that means – I was about to start laughing! I was thinking, oh my goodness, I am going to laugh, and he is going to ask me to step out of the car and I’ll be cuffed and detained at the border – because I was laughing and giving the impression that I was hiding something! I slowly turned toward him, and with the biggest, stupidest grin on my face, removed my sunglasses. He then looked at me, looked at the picture, looked at me, and after the longest second, closed the passports and handed them back to us. I think every scenario of every movie involving a border crossing went through my mind.

After all that, I still do not have any stamps on my passport! I’ve been in and out of Canada on different occasions and have yet to have my passport stamped. I want a stamp saying I have been out of the country!

After some more driving around, Hubby and I found the Niagara Falls Park on the U.S. side. I quickly concluded that one side is not better or prettier than the other side. They are completely different and actually, in my opinion, cannot be compared.

The Canadian side offers astounding views of the Falls, but the United States side offers a serene park setting. If you wish to view the Falls, you do need to venture out on the elevated walkway that is located in the park, but you can still view the American Falls and Niagara Falls up close.

The park offers walking trails and the chance to visit three little islands that are connected by stone bridges. There are also benches for sitting and viewing along the trails. You can even picnic in the park. I hope that my pictures will show you that one side is as beautiful and majestic as the other is. Altogether, we spent the entire day at Niagara Falls and had a wonderful time.

Hubby, of course, had to venture down to the water “to touch”. He even tried to get me to go with him. We all know what would have happened – Lucy would somehow have ended up going over the Falls. Hubby finally cupped his hands, filled them with the Niagara River, and brought it to me to feel how cold it was. He’s so sweet!

After a long day at the Falls, and an evening spent tasting their local brews, we called it a day. The twp day trip home, surprisingly enough, seemed to go by rather quickly – or so I thought – until Hubby informed me I kept falling asleep. I honestly did not think I slept much, but maybe I did.

Meanwhile, Louisiana was not without its adventures either. We found out on the drive home that Calypso had created some of her own chaos. The day we left, someone was driving by on the highway and noticed a water gusher in our front yard. That person called another person, who called another person, who called another, until finally someone called Hubby’s brother, who then left work, turned off the water, repaired the damage, and turned the water back on.

Hubby has all of the water faucets wrapped with insulation and taped up with duct tape and electrical tape (he means business). There are four or five down our long driveway. Calypso decided that she was going to chew and pull the insulation off the faucet at the end of the driveway. With all of the wrapping and tape, it would take a human with a sharp knife to unwrap the faucet – which is why it stays wrapped all year! Not so for Calypso, the mighty dog! Judging from the insulation and tape that I had to gather from around the yard upon our return leads me to believe that next time I need a sharp knife, I will just call Calypso. Anything eye level is fair game to her.

I hope she outgrows her chewing stage SOON! Hubby had to tie old paint cans around the taillights on his utility trailer. I was summoned quite early one morning by an angry Hubby to see where Calypso had left teeth marks on a taillight along with chips along the bottom (this is a brand new utility trailer.) The smile was there, but I didn’t dare laugh! My life and Calypso’s were at stake (remember me in serious situations.)

My Weekly Musings – Beginning June 9 2011 – Part 2

My second installment on my New York trip (Monday – Wednesday)

            On Monday, Jessica and I took the downtown tour, which included a visit to the Empire State Building, downtown Manhattan and a trip out to Brooklyn. It was my second trip to the top of the ESB and Jessica’s first. I am always surprised that the Statue of Liberty seems so small. For some reason I was expecting it to loom over the horizon, and while it is huge, it is not the towering inferno I thought it to be. I have also become convinced that there is NOT a tour guide that is NOT sassy. Some have truly gotten on my nerves and I have to admit taking a tour with someone that speaks with a foreign accent (literally from another country) is a little disconcerting (to us from the south, everyone else has a strange accent.) Case in point, I called several places that my daughter enjoys frequenting to surprise her with gift certificates for her birthday, and although I speak perfect English, for some reason a northerner could not understand a southerner over the phone (and visa versa.) Another tour guide thought he was the next Robin Williams.

            Getting back to our tour guides, we had a Broadway wanna be as our guide to Brooklyn. He actually acted with Hugh Brenner on Broadway. He was also hoping to get more work on Broadway. He treated us to many songs along the way, making our bus the spectacle at many stoplights. It was interesting. For any of you who live in New York, if you have never taken the Brooklyn tour, you must. There is so much history and it is very intriguing.

Picnicking by the Hudson River.

Tuesday afternoon, we again explored New York via the tour bus, this time, uptown. It was partly cloudy and threatening rain when we boarded. Jessica was murmuring about it raining on us and I was ever the optimist claiming it was going to wait until the end of the tour. About half way through the tour, we felt drops of rain, but still the weather held. The rain held off through the tour of Harlem. As we began our trek around Central Park on the way back to Times Square, the rain came down in earnest (the one day I left the umbrella home.)

Central Park

Church at Ground Zero

The people who were boarding the tour bus about this time were given rain ponchos (or Garbage Bag Couture as I refer to them.) Jessica and I actually had to ask for them. Before we garnered up enough courage to ask for the “Garbage Couture”, an elderly gentlemen (and there are some left in this world, and this was one of them) turned around and offered us his poncho. Who says chivalry is dead? It may be in New York, but this gentleman was from Arizona. Not only did this kind gentleman give us his rain poncho (and proceeded to get drenched himself) but when we acquired an additional poncho, he opened them up and guided us into them. He made sure our heads found the hoods and our arms found the armholes (such as they were.) He then tied the little drawstring under our chins so our hoods would not blow off.

            This was not an easily accomplished task. I was definitely having a “Lucy” moment and had tears streaming down my face along with the rain because I was laughing so hard. Jessica was not pleased about this adventure and attempted to disappear completely into the poncho. She just needs to loosen up a bit and enjoy the childish moments when they come our way.

   

Jude

            This trip I got to see the Manhattan School of Music where my son-in-law, Jude, graduated from last year. That’s Jude!

Manhattan School of Music

             This adventure was only the icing on the cake, the finish to an odd day for us. Earlier in the day, we made a trip out to the Statue of Liberty. We boarded the downtown subway and made our way to our exchange station. This is where we caught the “express train” as my daughter keeps correcting me. I seem determined to remember it as the “fast train” and she is mortified when I voice this term in public. By the end of this trip, I was remembering to call it the express train and she was happy about that (I’ll probably forget by the next trip. It goes super duper fast. It’s a fast train.)

Lady Liberty

Battery Park

Liberty Park

            Anyway, we made our way to Battery Park to catch the ferry out to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. In October, my husband and I stood in line for the longest, but this time, Jessica and I breezed right through security and onto the boat in no time. We were on the wharf at Liberty Island waiting on the ferry to take us to Ellis Island when the security guards started evacuating the wharf. We had to walk to the flagpole in the park, which is quite a distance away from the wharf. We then saw the Harbor Police and their German shepherd (yeah Shepherds!) board the ferry. After a thorough search, we were ushered back onto the wharf and onto the ferry. Talk was that there was a package left unattended.

            Wednesday, we headed for home. Even the trip to the airport was not without its drama. I am thankful just to be alive after the cab ride. Has anyone ever ridden in a New York City cab? I have one thing to say, at least on a roller coaster (no matter how thrilling the ride) you know the cars have a high probability of remaining on the track and not sideswiping or rear-ending each other. After a tour of Harlem (been there, done that on the tour) we finally made our way to the Robert F. Kennedy bridge and headed towards the airport. We were in the lane that would eventually take us to our drop-off point when someone cut in front of our cab driver. I was astounded as he began fussing the other driver for doing what he had been doing since we climbed into his cab and put our lives in his hands (no wonder there are seatbelts in cabs.) The thoughts were whirling through my head and I had a hard time wiping the grin off my face at the audacity of this driver. We finally made it to our terminal and exited what felt like a 45 minutes bumper car ride. I also did not know if the car or the road was falling apart. I was constantly looking for anything I could grab onto to hold on!

            Bags that weighed in at 32 and 35 pounds on check in at the New Orleans airport now weighed in at 49 and 47. I still haven’t figured out how that happened (yeah, right!) Next, on the agenda was security; off with the shoes, off with the jewelry, everything into the bin. Smooth sailing or so you would think. The man examining the bags as they went through the x-ray machine had this very intense look on his face. I looked at the front bins and the back bins and it suddenly dawned on me that he was deciphering the contents of my bag (not always a good thing.)

            As I was emptying my bag (purse) last night, I had to laugh. I kept thinking of that poor man looking at the x-ray of my bag. I pulled out memory sticks, fruit rollups, peanut butter and crackers, maps, coin purse, little black jewelry pouches, Kindle, container of plain crackers (I get motion sickness), flosser, my Princess thermos (water bottle) (which of course, I forgot to empty) various pens, various sized Band aids and wipes (Shout, Wet Ones), glass case, vitamins, medicines, nail emery board, phone, hand lotion, Dramamine, and zip locks for ice (I get motion sickness and need an ice bag on my neck.) (I confess that I no longer wonder why it was so heavy.) It must have been fascinating to try to figure how the eclectic mix made its way into my bag. My carry-on was just as fascinating (and heavy.)

            So, that gets us through security. We boarded the plane, taxied off and were on our way home. Jessica and I both had aisle seats, which meant, we both had two companions. While she was kept busy with a mom and daughter coming to New Orleans for orientation at Tulane University, I had my hands full with two young gentlemen coming to New Orleans for a bachelor’s weekend. Oh, but what a tangled web we weave! They were busy making a list of all the great Cajun dishes they wanted to try while they were visiting the city. What can I say? I am a Southerner and Southerners help. I helped them discover that Jumbalaya did not exist, but Jambalaya does. I told they needed to eat Gumbo, not Jumbo. I recommended Etoufee (crawfish) and alligator. I made sure to mention that a visit to New Orleans would not be complete with a trip to Café du Monde for beignets and coffee. Then, they asked me about “that other dish we eat. The one that we catch in the swamp and eat.” I finally realized they were speaking of Andouille (a sausage in Gumbo.) Believe me when I say that it does NOT swim in the swamp, it swims in Gumbo! How I managed to keep a straight face is beyond me.

            You might think that was the end of the conversation, but I assure you, it wasn’t. It was only the beginning of a memorable conversation. They asked if there were any restaurants that became famous because they survived Hurricane Katrina. I smiled gently and said no. I then gave him the names of a number of well-known restaurants that are well worth the visit. I also told him that the little mom and pop groceries on the corners were excellent establishments at which to find our “local” flavors.

            The conversation went on and as he quickly input all of the information I was imparting into his little gadget, he mentioned that they were going to take a swamp tour. Imagine my delight at hearing that comment (I am sooooooooo devious.) I asked him if they were taking a flat-bottom boat or an airboat tour. He answered that he didn’t know. He then inquired as to what they might expect to see. (It was too easy!) I smiled and told him probably the same things I see on my wharf each day. I told him I lived along a bayou and it was not uncommon to find an alligator sunning itself on the wharf. I just sort of dropped that in. For a moment, I thought he had swallowed his tongue! (Now, I must confess, I am not usually that bad.)

            Obviously, he had not had his fill of conversation, because he continued. He asked where the levees were and if they could see them. (I promise that I did NOT laugh at loud! This poor boy was from the north!) I explained that the levees ran along the Mississippi River and that if he told his cab driver to take them to River Road for their trip into the city, they could ride alongside the levees. I also told him to have his driver take them down St. Charles Avenue so they could see the Garden District. I recommended that they ride the streetcars before they left as well.

            Oh Chere’, the story ain’t over yet! They asked about the French Quarter. I told them they should see Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral and the River Walk. I told them that would be where they found Café Du Monde. Being a Southerner, I warned them against straying too far into some of the less desirable areas. They asked why and I told them they might find trouble. Their eyes got really big and they asked what kind of trouble (they were intrigued.) I looked them straight in the eye and told them the “same kind you have in New York”. They just made it too easy! I did tell them, however, that they should ask their consigner for a map once they were safely ensconced at the hotel.

            I know what all of you are thinking – and I am NOT a bad person! It fell into my lap. What was I supposed to do? Oh! One more thing. I told them they needed to go on a Cemetery Tour (with a guide, of course.) I have only one excuse for my behavior. I get motion sickness and I rode the entire trip back high on Dramamine and with an ice pack on my neck. The plane landed and we parted. I wished the guy well on his wedding and told them I hoped they enjoyed their visit to the great city of New Orleans.

            Next stop was the conveyor belt for luggage. Jessica’s luggage came through on the conveyor belt first and it was evident that the bag had been searched. I found the same evidence when I picked up my bag. Last night as I began to empty out my bag and began the process of organizing the different piles of laundry, I found some interesting things. I always pack my clothing in two gallon freezer Ziploc bags with dryer sheets to keep the clothes fresh smelling and I press the air out to compress the bags for neatness and organization (and to fit more of course. Knowing people are not touching my clothes is a bonus.) I was impressed with the lack of topsy-turvy in my bag. Books that I had packed between the bags to keep nice were carefully placed in a tote I packed in the bag and two little statues I purchased were inserted into one of the Ziploc bags.

            Other than the extremely warm (lots of licks) reception I received from Ryka and Calypso when I got home, that is the end of my story. Hope you enjoyed it.

“Ya’ll come back now!”

My Weekly Musings – Beginning June 9, 2011

          As I posted last week, I traveled this past week to New York City to spend a week with my daughter and son-in-law. My best friend, Jessica, traveled with me. This was her first trip to NYC and we had lots of plans, none of which included me getting motion sickness on the approach into LaGuardia. I haven’t flown in a couple of years and the last time I did, I got motion sickness. I attributed that incident to having been on a ship, and then trains for several days without a chance for my stomach to settle before boarding a plane from Fairbanks, Alaska to Seattle, Washington.

            I was fine this trip until five minutes into a 25 minute approach. The plane rocked and rolled, sped up and slowed down for twenty-five minutes. I was having a conversation with Jessica one minute and staring straight ahead barely moving the next. My only thoughts were find an airport, any airport, and set this sucker down, NOW! To make things worse, the person in front of me reclined their seat. Please, if you are reading this, DO NOT do that to the person sitting behind you. Airplanes are not luxury cars. When you recline your seat, you invade the little, tiny, minute space of the person behind you. RUDE, RUDE, RUDE. She is lucky I did not barf on her. Think of that the next time you recline your seat! That sounds like a public service announcement.

            The New York City cab ride was next. Do I really need to elaborate on that one? I didn’t think so. For those of you, who have never experienced a New York City cab ride, imagine your worst nightmare – twice.

            I spent Friday at school with my daughter, Katie-Beth. She is the music teacher at P.S. 51 Elias Howe School in Times Square. That is always a treat for me. If you had the opportunity to watch her in action, you would say the same. Our day was relatively uneventful until after lunch. The two of us walked about three blocks and ate at the Shake Shack, which she claims has the BEST burgers in all of NYC. We then walked the three blocks back to school and hiked up five flights of stairs only to take part in a school fire drill!

            You might be wondering why it was such a big deal. Well, let me explain. Did you catch that I said we walked three city blocks to the restaurant? This chick is no longer twenty-seven, I am fifty-three (did I just admit that?) Climbing the steep stairs at school after climbing several little hills and street curbs (don’t laugh) and walking three (six) blocks is no picnic for someone who lives where the ground is flat.

            As I said before, I do love watching my daughter teach, especially when she fusses! “Now my friends, you are good but your behavior is not…..” The children at her school are just delightful and asked me at least 100 times if I was Mrs. Traxler’s mom (ya gotta love it.)

            On Saturday, my daughter and son-in-law teach music lessons so Jessica and I set off for the Museum of Natural History. The architecture of the building just makes you want to sit on a bench and gaze. It is beautiful. If you haven’t noticed, I am an architecture buff. I would rather gaze at the outside of a building than I would like to go inside. Since Jessica actually wanted to go into the museum, I tore myself away with the promise that on my next trip to New York, I would walk around the outside.

            Katie-Beth told us there was no way that we would be able to see the entire museum in a day, so we should choose what we wanted to see. Do not ever say this cannot be done. Jessica and I did what I refer to as the “drive-by at the museum”. We stopped and spent time in the sections where we had a deep interest, but we literally left no sight unseen.

            It was captivating to visit the different countries and to observe the families in each exhibit. The parents, usually the father, explained to the children (in their native language) about the pictures and exhibit. From the look on many of their faces, I would imagine that they were sharing their own memories as well. I don’t know if most people take the time to notice all that happens around them, but I am a people observer. I found the exchange between the parent and child more fascinating than the exhibit itself. I have family who have traveled the world and as I perused the different exhibits, I could hear my aunt telling the stories of their travels. The museum is a wonderful place to visit and everyone should go at least once.

            Saturday night we had tickets for the Broadway production of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre.  It was fabulous! Katie could hardly contain herself. She spent the entire day singing the songs so she could get it out of her system and not break into song during the performance. The performers did a wonderful job and I would love to see the show a second time.

            Sunday resembled the Sex in the City series. There were four of us women having brunch at a trendy little café called Sara Beth’s. We sat around the table enjoying a leisurely brunch and talking about our lives (okay – what stores we were going to after brunch.) In the afternoon, we visited a cute little tea shop called “Alice’s Teacup,” and Tiffany’s (for all of us), The American Girl Doll Shop (for Jessica), Ann Taylor, Dylan’s Candy Shop (for son –in-law), the drug store (for Band-Aids for me – the extent of my shopping), and ended up at Serendipity for dessert. This was after Katie walked us completely around Carnegie Hall searching for the poster that had her name and picture on it. The poster had been on the billboard for a year and just because we wanted to see it, it was gone. My daughter had her picture on one of the billboards at Carnegie Hall!

            I’m not finished, but I’ll conclude this portion here. There were adventures aplenty on my trip, so please stay tuned!