My First Trip Report Begins- USA & Canada

[mrs.dr.ron]

I hope PEI is the next stop !!!!

 

[OATEK]

Sorry, forgive my ignorance but as Pauline Hanson once said "Please Explain"

The old theme song to the TV series (starring Fess Parker) alleged that Davy Crocket (amongst other things) "patched up the crack in the liberty bell, Davy, Davy Crocket, king of the wild frontier". (Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcRQedoEyY )

 

[irv]

I hope PEI is the next stop !!!!

Patience mrs dr ron, New York, then Cape Breton Island then PEI, I promise I will give a good TR re PEI that covers our journey. You would love the Potato Museum

 

[irv]

The old theme song to the TV series (starring Fess Parker) alleged that Davy Crocket (amongst other things) "patched up the crack in the liberty bell, Davy, Davy Crocket, king of the wild frontier". (Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcRQedoEyY )

Well he obviously did not do a very good job

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Patience mrs dr ron, ........

drron says I have none of that

 

[OATEK]

drron says I have none of that

I am sure he only says that about certain situations. SWMBO can search the same sale rack 5-6 times with unbelievable patience, but can't bear the wait for lots of things.

 

[irv]

We are on our way to New York, again courtesy Amtrak, we both enjoyed Philadelphia however time to move on.
90 minutes later we pull in to Penn Station, we would have 10 days here staying across the Hudson River in Edgewater. First impression when we hit the street, my there are a lot of people here. I think you notice it more when the region you live in has a population of about 70,000 spread over a considerable area. I think they are all at the front of the station.
We had decided to simply catch a bus to Edgewater, then work out our mode of transport to NYC after we checked in. A 15 minute walk to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, were second in line to buy the tickets when the lady announced this window is now closed, how does that work.
Eventually bought two tickets, since my initial translation errors in SFO I leave this task to my better half.

Make our way to the terminal, meet our first scam artist. Tells everyone his children are waiting somewhere for him to pick them up, he has been robbed, desperately needs the fare, and it is his birthday blah, blah..

He got a bit agitated when people didn’t throw money at him, one woman pointed out it had been his birthday last week as well, he didn’t take kindly to this and decided to leave.

Eventually bus turns up, probably a half hour to our destination, Hilton Homewood Suites in Edgewater. Good location looking out over the river to Manhattan.

 

[irv]

We chose this location for a few reasons, firstly a bit quieter than staying in main city and cheaper. Another reason was it came with a fully equipped kitchen, eating out is fine but sometimes, at the end of the day, you just want to sit down and relax without going out again. And no tips required.
We decided to go for a wander to get our bearings, first port of call was reception to get a few directions. I knew there was a Wholefoods not that far away, the lady at the front counter advised it was at least a twenty minute walk, did we want the shuttle to drop us down. She seemed quite surprised when we advised we would walk .

The complimentary hotel shuttle would drop you and pick you up anywhere within a 10 klm radius of the Hotel, as we had decided that our mode of transport to NYC would be the ferry from the Imperial Port this suited us perfectly. 8 minute ferry ride to Pier 39, 13 minutes to the financial centre.

A 7 day unlimited journey ticket for about $115 US, not bad value.

The next day, the Freedom Tower, 9/11 Memorial Pools and the 9/11 Museum.

 

[irv]

Ferry tickets purchased, on our way to the financial district, then to the One World Observatory, booked for 10.30 am. Lots of construction going on in this part of the city, given the events of 9/11 it has obviously taken a lot of discussion and consultation as to the way forward.

We arrive, very impressed with tower and surrounds, looking forward to this experience.

 

[irv]

We have time on our hands so we decide to visit the memorial pools. The world saw the devastation of 9/11, with this memorial I think they nailed it, the water cascading into eternity, a somber experience.

I am only in my fifties, probably old to the younger geneartions, but watching the people taking selfies with the pools as their back drop, in my mind is disrespectful, it is a memorial, not a tourist attraction.

I notice when viewing the names engraved in railing around the pools a dedication to a woman, and to the unborn child she was carrying, quite poignant and respectful of the lives lost that day.

These photos are in respect of those who passed and a reminder of the tragedy endured that day.

 

[drron]

We visited the 9/11 memorials and the UA93 temporary memorial ~ 6 months after the event.Must admit to many a tear those days.

 

[irv]

We visited the 9/11 memorials and the UA93 temporary memorial ~ 6 months after the event.Must admit to many a tear those days.

I share your thoughts, years after. Even if you know none of the victims, you can cry over the crime.

 

[irv]

It was time for our visit to the One World Observatory, through security and in to the lift.

The hologram on the journey up is a great effect, pity the ride is so quick.

One cannot help but being impressed by the building and the 360 degree views of New York, we spent nearly two hours just wandering and enjoying the views, a different perspective of this huge city.

Our next stop was lunch then the 9/11 Museum where we had booked the guided tour.

A few photos from the tower.

 

[love_the_life]

Looks pretty good weather for your trip up the tower so good views all round.

 

[irv]

Looks pretty good weather for your trip up the tower so good views all round.

Weather was superb for our entire US journey, we were blessed by the weather gods

 

[irv]

Our next stop the 9/11 Memorial Museum, my apologies in advance about the quality of the pictures. We had booked the guided tour rather than the wander about yourself one, mainly to get an insight from a New Yorker as to what this meant too them, was money well spent.

Our tour guide was matter of fact, not too much drama, but very descriptive about the events on that day. It is hard to imagine what that city and the population went through on that day, we have all probably seen the videos/photos of the plane crash, destruction of the World Trade Centre,and whilst we all recognised the enormity of those events, if you weren’t there it would be difficult to actually know the impact on the lives of those who lived here and witnessed the events.

We heard tales of tragedy, tales of heroism, tales of survival, tales of those who perished trying to save and rescue others. If you are not moved after you visit here, then I would be amazed.


Remains of one of the girders destroyed by heat.



Remains of one of the fire escapes.



A tile for each of the victims, using different shades of blue.



The column that did not fall, and remembrance of the emergency services that attended and lost their lives are listed on the column. This column was removed then relocated back to site when the museum was built.

 

[irv]

Our next stop the Staten Island Ferry, what a great way to travel around a superb city for nothing, so we have been here for 2 days and walked 27.90 klm, so much to see.

 

[RooFlyer]

Still enjoying this; thanks again.

 

[parsonstrish]

I've just read your tr. I always enjoy reading reports, sometimes down memory lane if I've also visited same area. I've been to Alexandria twice, one time I stayed at same Hilton. I found the hotel reception folk pleasant but not always up to speed with information. I liked the quaintness & small town atmosphere of Alexandria. Did you go down the street behind Main Street that had historical houses?

I've done a few trips on the Amtrak East Coast. Enjoyed the experience of having dinner in the dining car at sunset leaving DC.

When in San Fran, I walked up one of the hills back to my hotel, I kept chanting 'I know I can', like Thomas the tank engine. What a workout.

Looking forward to the rest of your report.

 

[irv]

I've been to Alexandria twice, one time I stayed at same Hilton. I found the hotel reception folk pleasant but not always up to speed with information. I liked the quaintness & small town atmosphere of Alexandria. Did you go down the street behind Main Street that had historical houses?

One of our shuttle drivers kept telling us "anything you need to know, ask me" so when I asked, he didn't know, but he would let me know. Yes we explored it thoroughly, a number of the older homes were being redeveloped, bit sad to see some history modernized, but that is modern life.