It Is A Good Thing That My Boots Were Made For Walking

Our last full day in 'The Big Apple' was overcast with clouds...

7th Avenue on Sunday Morning
The view from our hotel room facing South towards Times Square

...but it was a fitting setting for our first stop.

The '9/11 Memorial'. On our previous GGW 2008 trip, we had made our way to the sight...but it was all walled off due to demolition and construction.  Now the Memorial site is open and from the looks of the plans, when it is finished, it will be beautiful.

Stacy at the 9/11 Memorial South Pool

Our first priority upon entering the Memorial was to find the name of Stacy's high school classmate - Otis Tolbert - who lost his life at the Pentagon.  It was a stirring moment, to say the least.

Not a good picture of me at all...but this is the only one of the three of us at the Memorial.
Here we are in front of the North Pool.

As you can see in all of these photos, construction is still is full swing all around the Memorial.

The National September 11 Memorial Museum

Even the Museum is still under construction.  That is a picture of it above with the reflection of the high rise below.

Even though we were literally surrounded by NYC and heavy construction, the Memorial itself was so peaceful that it all just dissolved around you. 

The Survivor Tree

The Survivor Tree was found among the ruins and nursed back to health in the Bronx before being returned to the site in 2010.  It had grown from 8' to 30'.  After being returned to the site, it was struck by lighting...but is still hanging on.  A tribute to the American spirit if I have ever heard of one.

Old Glory flying over the National September 11 Memorial Site

After touring the Memorial itself, we visited the Memorial Center...which was crowded beyond belief.

But since I had actually watched (with Jim and Will) the "American Choppers" episode where Paul Jr. built the Memorial Bike...I had to at least get pictures of it.

The front of the bike...it truly is a piece of art

After the Memorial, we started walking out of Lower Manhattan in search of a place for lunch.  Have you ever noticed how you see plenty of places you would like to try when you are not in need of them.  But as soon as you want one...NOTHING!

Well, our walk was like that.  We walked and walked with no restaurants in sight.  We walked through the Financial District, along the edge of Chinatown and over into Tribeca...we finally found Jacques on Prince Street in Soho! 

After a long walk to our late afternoon lunch, we decided to catch a cab back to Midtown.  We quickly found out that available cabs in Soho on a Sunday afternoon are a rarity!

I guess everyone and their mother were coming back into the city.  The traffic was crazy busy!  The intersections were constantly blocked...and all the cabs were either 'off duty' or full!  We walked for blocks...and blocks...and blocks...and were offered more than one 'shady' deal along the way.  One guy offered to be my husband for the day.  Another offered Robin a chance to go 'play'.  I mean, really?!?!

It was definitely a side to NYC we had not seen before!

We finally got a cab when we were reached about the halfway point to Midtown.  But we were quite thankful to no longer be walking!

On our last night in NYC, we went all out...out of our comfort zones that is!  We had dinner at Lips!  

We saw 'Morgan Royale's Superstar Sunday' show with

Madonna

Marilyn Monroe

Diana Ross

Lady Gaga

and Ke$ha

It was then time to get back to hotel and pack. We had a mid-morning flight back to Houston and reality!

It was a wonderful return to New York...filled with new experiences and lots of fun memories. We haven't decided where we are heading in 2013 yet. But our minds, they are a turning!

The Stars Come Out - Even During The Day

Saturday morning in New York City began way too early with a knock at the door from Room Service bearing coffee. They were early! Whoever heard of Room Service coming early?!?!

We ate a little breakfast and slowly got to stirring about the room to get dressed for our day. 

On our stays in NYC, we have spent a lot of time in Manhattan.  Today we would be spending time in one of the true neighborhoods.  The houses and their architecture are so different from what we are used to seeing.  But Greenwich truly has it's own beauty.

Robin had seen Neil Patrick Harris on  a talk show promoting a Mystery Theatre/Scavenger Hunt/Tour called Accomplice.  So, a few weeks before we left we decided to get tickets and do the Accomplice: The Village tour.  Oh, what fun!!!

Stacy and Fonda with other tour members at a local coffee shop/cafe.

We were able to enjoy some of the best Cappachino's I've ever had...all while playing along.

Stacy and Fonda with a cast member with the best sense of delivery.

I really can't tell you much about it, because then they would have to kill me...but, if you ever find yourself in NYC (3 different shows available), Hollywood or London, you HAVE TO take this tour!! 

Oh, and that picture above?  That is one of the cast members and he reminded me so much of one of my cousins that I could not stop laughing!  He was so witty!!!  And when I envisioned those words coming out of James, Jr.'s mouth...I nearly doubled over with laughter!  (As a side note: James Jr. dresses nothing like that (he's too cool for overalls)...it was just something in his face and that southern accent that reminded me of him.)

After the 'show', we hung out to watch the next group make their way through to the big reveal.  Then, upon the recommendation of some of the Accomplice staff, we went to Lupa Osteria Romana for lunch.   This is one of Mario Batali's restaurants and would require reservations or a long, long wait for dinner...but we were able to walk right in for a late afternoon lunch!

Robin and Stacy at Lupa

Mario is one of Stacy's favorite chefs to watch on Food Network (Iron Chef America, The Chew, Mario Eats Italy)...and now I understand why! 

Fonda at Lupa

The food was DELICIOUS!  We started off with Marinated Olives and a plate of Prosciutto Di Parma.  And just so you understand how good this really was...I was NOT an olive eater.  Couldn't stand them before this trip.  But Mario converted me!  For the meal, I let our server order for me and she brought out the most tender and tasty Braised Short Ribs that I have ever put in my mouth!  MMMMM!  Good!

With full stomachs, we decided to walk a little of it off by heading down the street to Washington Square Park. 

We watched as street performers jumped over five people.

We stopped to take pictures of this beautiful sidewalk chalk art.  (The artist was being interviewed for televison at the time.)

We met some very friendly squirrels who were a little miffed that we didn't have food with us.  And them we took pictures of the beautiful arch which was built to commemeorate the 100th anniversary of Washington's inaugeration as President of the United States.

We took our time, strolling up 5th Avenue and then across to 7th Avenue past Madison Square Garden where the New York Rangers were hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins.  But for the biggest part of our stay Linsanity was in full swing!  (Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks)  My oldest son wanted a jersey so bad he could taste it.  Unfortunately, the whole city was sold out!

We strolled on up to Times Square and made the quintessential tourist stop:  Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.  I haven't been in a wax museum since I was a teenager and we made a weekend trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Just inside the front door, Robin ran into Justin Timberlake.

And then we were all three captured by King Kong and carried up the side of the Empire State Building.

Stacy ran into one of her all time favorites, Lucille Ball.  Can you say, "Vita-meat-a-veg-a-min"?

While we saw plenty of Hollywood favorites in wax forms...I forgot to even mention that as we were waiting in Greenwich Village for Accomplice to begin we looked across the street and saw Seth Green hailing a cab!  No pictures, though.  We didn't want to seem like tourists!  Ha!!

After Madame Tussaud's, we walked over to Toloache on 50th Street.  Julian Medina's Mexican Bistro is one that Robin found on one of our previous NYC excursions...and one worth returning to again and again.  (Another Iron Chef America chef too!)

It was a short walk back to the Warwick where it was time to kick off the shoes and sit a spell.  After all, we still had another day of fun ahead of us!

You Can See The World In NYC!

Friday morning we woke bright and early. But, as the rain was beginning to clear, we took our time dressing and enjoying a leisurely breakfast in our room.

Just before noon we headed out the door for a pilgrimage to Tiffany's. We had visited Tiffany's on our first trip, five years earlier. However, we had spent our time purchasing gifts for our Girls. This time we were shopping for Momma!!!

Stacy walked out with her little blue bag which contained her birthday present to herself!  Robin slipped her purchase in her purse...a charm to be included with a previous purchase in Beverly Hills.

Me...after circling the sales floor at least four time, I finally decided upon the item I REALLY wanted as my GGW 2012 keepsake.  But, I didn't get to walk out with a little blue bag of my own.  Mine had to be shipped because, wouldn't you know it, they were out of my size!

I am happy to report that my purchase arrived home the same day that I did!

A beautiful silver bracelet with a charm that reads "Tiffany & Company, Fifth Avenue"!

After shopping, we headed to lunch at Serendipity 3.  Unfortunately, we didn't realize that it was a holiday weekend and all of the children were out of school for the weekend already.  As we waited for a table and the sidewalk overflowed with women and their daughters all dressed up for tea parties...we decided to make our way back to Brasserie 360 for a relaxing (kid-free) lunch.  It was delicious!

After lunch we caught a taxi over to the American Museum of Natural History.

Theodore Roosevelt:
33rd Governor of New York
26th President of the United States
& Safari Hunter who provided many of the African specimens in the AMNH.

Stacy and Robin on the steps of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

Robin posing in front of the Elephant Herd

The Eucharist Challis of the Armenians

These beautiful pieces reminded me of something that would be mounted to the front of a very ornate ship.

Chinese Dragon Costume

A detailed drawing of the Israelites carrying the lamp stand.
My daily Bible reading was in the Pentateuch at the time and so the details of the Tabernacle were fresh on my mind.

The still life's of mounted animals were so beautiful that they look like a painting.

An ancient ancestor of the armadillo?  I would hate to run into one in the woods!

Does he look familiar?
Here's a hint...there is a movie that is set in this museum.

Ahhh...now you get it!
Night at the Museum!
Stacy posing with the Easter Island Head that we called 'Dum-Dum'.

After spending the day at the museum, we headed back to the hotel to see if we could find tickets to 'Other Desert Cities'.  Our Concierge was able to find us three while we enjoyed a respite at the corner table of Randolph's. 

It was a great play that had us still talking about it the next day.  It's leanings are pretty much opposite of mine...so it was thought provoking to say the least. 

We stuck around afterwards in some pretty miserable weather for pictures and autographs with the cast.  (The wind was rough so please excuse the flying hair everywhere!)

Robin with Stockard Channing

Stacy and I with Stockard Channing.

She was such a sweetheart.  There was a teenage girl there that had just finished playing the part of Rizzo in her high school's production of Grease and Stockard took the time to sign her Grease Rizzo Barbie Doll. 

Rachel Griffiths signing Stacy's Playbill.

Judith Light was nearly blown away by all the wind. 
She stopped, signed our Playbills and took pictures with all of us...but unfortunately
the pictures didn't turn out very well due to all the flying hair!

We did get Justin Kirk's autograph too...but we never saw Stacy Keach.  It was quite appropriate that we attended a play set in Palm Springs because that was where we had originally discussed as our 2012 destination! 

We discussed several times throughout this trip that being in New York City was the closest you could get to traveling the world without a passport.  And for us, on Friday, it was true.  We had dined in a French Brasserie, seen the animals of Africa, the people of the Middle East, and rubbed elbows with stars of both Broadway and Hollywood.

Day Two in NYC ended with us so very thankful that we had worn our coats because it was a very CHILLY walk back to our hotel!