Jun 27, 2019 - The world in miniature

In contrast to yesterday, today was a day of tiny proportions. Now, before I tell you all about the day’s activities, I need to brag! Today - my last full day in both New York and, indeed, North America - I did NOT get lost (or even slightly misplaced) even once!! Cue trumpets, marching bands and cheer squads! Now, let’s continue..... The day dawned early and was bright, sunny and hot. Thankfully, it was less humid so much more bearable. Having already visited most of the major tourist attractions, today I set out to find something...

Jun 26, 2019 - A day at the Museum

A day of huge proportions! The Museum of History Natural was a good choice of activity for a hot, steamy New York day. It is a really nice old museum... you know the type that looks, smells and feels like a REAL museum. Not a new age white tile and glass ‘museum’. It has lovely marble staircases with wooden curved banisters, high ceilings and wide spacious hallways. Of course there are no longer old wooden display cabinets but I’m sure there once was and I could almost see the ghosts of them. Included in the full experience ticket I bought,...

Jun 25, 2019 - Back in the Big Apple

This morning, I bade the Alexander Inn and Philadelphia farewell. Both have been very nice to visit and stay for a few days. At 9am, the humidity was already extremely high so I was pretty glad not to have another day of walking the streets. After breakfast, I gathered my things, checked out and walked the 5 blocks to Jefferson St station. Having an Amtrak train ticket, I was allowed to ride a suburban train for free - taking me just a few stops to 30th Street (the equivalent to Southern Cross or Central stations). I arrived an hour early...

Jun 25, 2019 - Quebec City to Plattsburgh, NY

We made it home today about 12:30 pm. Will edit this later to include miles travelled. We've now been to all 50 states and all the Canadian Provinces and the Yukon! When visiting all these new places, we marvel at the beauty, but have to remember how beautiful our area is. We get so used to it, we fail to notice... We drove 3641.4 miles and only got 12.7 miles per gallon.

Jun 23, 2019 - Family mini-reunion

Dottie made good on previous conversations with cousins that we should get together sometime. She called the nearby Kimbles, I went to New Jersey to get my Aunt, and we had a party at Dot’s house. It was a great time. The remaining siblings of the Kimble family could visit (Mom, Aunt Ina, Uncle Earl and wife Aunt Laura) and some cousins could catch up because we hadn’t seen each other for quite awhile. When we were kids, there were 20 grandchildren from the Kimble family. Clark and his wife, Robin, came in their remodeled 1968 Jeep that...

Jun 20, 2019 - Walking again

Our final day in New York together - Cheryl heads home tomorrow and I go to Philadelphia for a few days... before returning to NY for 3 nights on my own. I was meant to be joined by an American lady, Lynn but she is unwell and won’t be joining me - too late and expensive now to change my flight home. Today: Once again, the sky was grey and it was incredibly humid. Luckily the rain held off until we were about 4 blocks from home.... then the sky let loose! 𯌧☔️ We arrived back at the hotel quite soggy. We started off the day walking the...

Jun 19, 2019 - My poor aching feet

My poor aching feet! They have walked for miles and miles and miles today - carrying me along with them! While very overcast, we mostly avoided the rain today - only catching a few light showers. So much better than yesterday and so fortunate considering that one of today’s main activities was a two and a half hour walking tour. Not one drop fell during this time. Yay! The walking tour was led by a history teacher and buff, Kevin, and started near NY City Hall. As we walked along the pedestrian walkway across Brooklyn Bridge, we stopped a...

Jun 18, 2019 - September 10 - 20 1982

It seems to me that our "trip to Europe" really began on Friday, 10 September, when we put our Volkswagen bus on the dock. We actually drove down there to the dock on Thursday to be sure we could find it OK. It was at Elizabeth, New Jersey, just across from Manhattan. Our ship hadn't come in yet (it was due on Friday) but there was another ship in, we were told was exactly like it (same company). We were not allowed to walk out to where we would be able to see the ship but the guard had a dock man drive us out in a company car and he...

Jun 18, 2019 - Rain, sun and everything in between

A real mixed bag weather wise today - light showers, pouring rain and steamy sunshine. One could be excused for thinking we were in Melbourne except that the temperature was, at least, 24 degrees. The weather, however, didn’t stop us from going out but did hamper our plans a little.... I’ll explain. With umbrellas up and some light rain falling, Cheryl and I walked the short distance to the train stop. Once there, I realised I had left my phone back in the room so had to dash back to collect it. I needed it because it has my New York Pass...

Jun 17, 2019 - 9/11 & Lady Liberty

How silly of me to think that things would slow down now that the tour is finished 𯘂. I think I had more spare time on tour! At least I could draft this blog on the bus! Sorry that these entries have been so brief but my days have been extra busy and ai’m tired. It’s now after 10pm and there’s another busy day ahead tomorrow! Today, Cheryl and I started out just after 7.30am... spent hours at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum (extremely moving and so much to see). We then had a quiet cup of tea before lightening the mood and walking to Battery...

Jun 16, 2019 - Indulgence day

This morning, I said goodbye to my travel buddies - some of us have been together for 5 weeks. Cheryl and I then had an indulgent few hours. For years, I have wanted to visit Katz’s Deli (where Sally met Harry) and savour a pastrami on rye. Today I did it!! It was so deliciously yummy. Katz’s was incredibly busy. We had to line up, on the footpath, for 15 minutes to just get in the door! Inside, was organised chaos. C found a seat while I lined up and got our food and drinks. It has a great ordering and service system. You get a ticket...

Jun 15, 2019 - New York, New York

Just a very quick blog entry this morning (recapping yesterday). We left Washington around 8.30am and tootled off down the road, making a quick mid morning coffee/ toilet stop before arriving in Philadelphia around lunchtime. We had about an hour and a half to eat lunch and explore a bit. Cheryl and I shared a very delicious speciality - a Philly cheesesteak (a soft roll filled with succulent steak and onions, liberally sprinkled with melted cheese). I didn’t worry too much about exploring as I will be back for 4 nights soon. Once back on...