[TBD]

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Made it to Chicago

What we did today:

Drive 800 miles

- End -

The drive went well. It started off a little later than expected and had delays in New Jersey due to an accident on the interstate. Traffic was ok - it was busy but not too bad.

We spent roughly $30 on tolls today ranging from $1 in NJ all the way to $15 in OH.

We ate lunch in restaurant in PA and had dinner just outside Toledo. We even found a Tim Hortons in OH so I had to try the coffee to see if it was the same as at home which it pretty much is.

Don't really have much to say - I'm pretty tired from the drive.

Not sure exactly what our plan is for tomorrow but we will see what the day brings.

Friday, 24 May 2013

Boy my feet are tired. Today started at the 9/11 memorial. We timed things just right, we got there at around 10 which is exactly when the memorial opens up. We got through the line and security pretty fast and spent about an hour and a half salmon around checking out the memorial pools and the grounds. It was something to see.

From there we went for lunch at a small diner nearby and then caught the subway to check out the High Line which was really neat (and not to mention cold and windy - definitely not shorts and sandals weather which was what I was wearing).

From there we made our way back to the hotel to change into some warmer clothes and rest a bit. Then we did some souvenir shopping and explored the toys r us at Times Square.

We also went and grabbed some fries and a shake at the Shake Shack which always had a lineup outside but today there was no line. The fries were great and my Fair Shake (milkshake with fair trade coffee) did not disappoint.

Now we are in Rockefeller centre again scamming some free wifi while we wait for our studio tour at NBC.

Tomorrow will be a long day of driving. I hope to leave as early as possible (ideally at 7am) to get off the island before it starts getting too busy. Hopefully we can get up early enough...

Here's a photo from the High Line:

New York day 2

Today was another busy day. We started with breakfast at a restaurant called Juniors, just down the street. It was delicious!

From breakfast we made our way to a few stores at Times Square (M&Ms and Hershey) but didn't buy anything. We also saw a massive Lego structure built from over 5 million Lego pieces promoting a new Star Wars series or game (not sure which). It was really cool!

We then walked to 5th ave and did some shopping. Gwen bought a dress at Ann Taylor and we both bought items from H&M. We even went to Saks on 5th Avenue, just to say we have been. It was massive - 10 floors of clothing and accessories. Not quite the same as the Bay but close. The major difference being the price, Gwen found some dresses for $800 and we found a sport coat for $2000 (which didn't even look good, in my opinion).

After shopping we went back to Rockefeller centre for lunch and reserving two tickets for the NBC tour Friday at 6pm. We then went to the museum of modern art and spent over 2 hrs checking out all of the pieces of art.

After the museum we took the subway back to the hotel. The subway was very full today as it was raining this afternoon. It was so full that we barely fit into the car - I was right against the door and there was barely enough room for the door to close. Luckily I had more room than the guy who's coat got caught between the doors.

We had dinner at a pub about 5 mins from our hotel. I had a beer sampler and was disappointed with the beer - of the six types I only liked one...

After dinner we quickly showered and got ready for the Lion King. The show was AMAZING! The costumes and props were really well done and the acting was superb. Well worth the tickets.

Now we are back at the hotel getting ready for bed. Tomorrow we will do the 9/11 memorial in the morning and hopefully do the High Line which is an old elevated roadway or train line that has been transformed into a walkway. We will see what the weather is like tomorrow, if it is too rainy we will have to think of something else.

Well, time for bed. Goodnight!

Thursday, 23 May 2013

In New York

Our first full day in New York was definitely busy.

We started with breakfast at a small diner across from Madison Square Gardens. We then went to Penn Station (right beside MSG). From there we took the subway to Ferry station at the southern tip of Manhattan island. We got onto the free Staten Island ferry which takes you to (surprise surprise) Staten Island but not before taking you right beside the Statue of Liberty!

There isn't anything to really see on SI so we got on the next ferry back and got the best view of the NYC skyline. Unfortunately it was cloudy/hazy but we still got a pretty good sight.

After the ferry we went to a pier and got a good view of the Brooklyn bridge. Then, we walked down Wall Street and saw the New York stock exchange. We took the subway (during the start of rush hour, wow) to Central Park and walked around for a few hours. I'm curious how far we walked, my legs and pretty sore.

After Central Park we took the subway to Times Square and had dinner at Bubba Gump which overlooks the intersection of 45th ave and 7th ave - right at Times Square.

Since we still had time left in the day, we went to Rockefeller Center and went to "the top of the Rock" - 67 floors above the New York rooftops. All I can say is amazing. Th night sky cleared up and you could see all of New York - from the Statue of Liberty to beyond Central Park. WOW.

Well time for bed. Not sure what we will do tomorrow but time will tell. Hope everyone is doing well back home (and out west).

Oh yeah, on the way back the sidewalk was blocked off at our hotel. We didn't know what was going on but then saw people taking pictures an getting autographs from actors in one of the plays. And we saw Sigourney Weaver.

Boston to NYC

We didn't leave as early as hoped but had a good sleep and relaxing morning. We left Boston at about noon. We drove about an hour and a half to a town called Starburn MA (I think...). We got fuel and ate at a small restaurant/pub.

From there we continued a lot I-84 until just past Hartford where we got onto CT-15 which was a dual lane highway with no commercial vehicles. The drive was really nice, rolling hills and curves. There were a few sections where traffic was down to 20 mph but for the most part pretty good.

Once onto Manhattan Island, we hit some serious traffic - less than 10 mph. I thought this was because we got there right during rush hour but it turns out it was because there was an accident.

We then made our way towards the hotel. Much more traffic but at least it was generally moving. We got to the corner where our hotel was and saw that the entrance has been moved due to renovations. We had to pull onto a different side street which was a one way so had to make a loop.

As we were looping around we ended up driving through Times Square. Pretty surreal.

We got checked into the hotel and then made our way to Madison Square Gardens for the game. We got there about 45 min before the game and there wasn't very many people there.

We went to the merch shop and bought t shirts and a souvenir puck. We then grabbed something to eat - I had a hotdog and a beer and Gwen had a chicken sandwich minus the bread.

We made our way to our seats and saw that we had t shirts and a towel for the game!

The game was pretty good it was too bad the Rangers didn't really show up to play... We saw some famous people at the game: Liam Neeson (actor), Darren McDaniels (rapper from Run DMC) and some guy they called "The Great One".

After the game we made our way back to the hotel but not before a snack - Gwen had fries and I had a turkey burger.

Not sure what we will do tomorrow but we want to try to see Central Park and do the Staten Island ferry. We will see what the weather is like and decide from there.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

And the road trip continues

Yesterday was a good day. We went to the Boston Tea Party museum and learned lots of history about Bostonand the start of the American revolution.

From there we went for lunch at Barking Crab right on Boston harbour. Gwen had crab and I had a mahi mahi sandwich. It was delicious.

After lunch we went to Harvard and wandered around the campus. I don't know what exactly I was expecting but wasn't super impressed - it looked like a university. We got ice cream near by and ate it on the steps of the library.

After Harvard we made our way to the bar that inspired the set for Cheers. We got there in time for happy hour which had half price appetizers. Gwen got fries and I got nachos and salsa. Total bill with a beer - $12. We made a friend too. His name was Jonathan and he was an IT recruiter from Toronto. We had a good conversation with him - he was quite interested in our road trip and sounded like he would rather join us than attend his business meeting.

After Cheers we went to Newbury street for some window shopping. We then made our way back to Quincy Market for dinner at an Irish pub. I had Shepards pie which was really good and Gwen had a steak.

Tomorrow we pack up and drive to New York.

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Bahstun day 2

Busy day today. Well, after we slept in....

We walked around the freedom trail which takes you on a 3 mile walk through Boston showing you the major historical places including a churches, cemeteries, famous buildings, the bunker hill monument and the USS Constitution. The walk took us about 4 hrs to complete which included a stop for lunch.

My favourite stop was the bunker hill monument. We walked up the 294 stairs to the top and see the Boston skyline. It was pretty cool.

After the walk, we returned to the hotel to shower and change before dinner. Then we made our way to Chart House for dinner. I had prime rib and Gwen had lobster. I also had some clam chowder, it was delicious.

After dinner, we went for a drink at the (replica) Cheers bar and then back to the hotel.

We aren't sure what the plan is for tomorrow just yet. We will probably visit Harvard and maybe Fenway Park. Other than this not too sure. We will see what the day brings...

Here are some pictures from the day: