..........to the elite
.......to the well-trained
.........and the stragglers
So motivating to get our runners on and achieve our first marathon!
Monday, 7 November 2011
6 November 2011 NEW YORK MARATHON Sunday
The one that got away - The big reason for including New York in our list of destinations was in the hope of running the marathon. However, we were unable to get in and just as well with all the overeating we've been doing over the past 6 weeks. What we saw was incredible human spirit, from the truly inspirational....
..........to the elite
..........to the elite
Sunday, 6 November 2011
5 November 2011 NEW YORK Saturday
We had a wonderful 3 hour cruise around the whole of the Manhattan island today. It started at 12.30pm which is a good thing in this cold weather. We had previously done a bus tour (not this trip), so it was great to be able to see the city from the outer edge. Of course we got the low-down on the who's-who of the rich and famous, but the highlight for me was the Queensborough Bridge.
Firstly for it's fame in the King of Queens sitcom, but secondly, and more importantly, for it's mention in a book I read about 5 years ago called Julie and Julia. It was made into a movie last year, but really not so good (the book is way better), even though it had Meryl Streep acting as Julia Childs. The book was the catalyst for my interest in blogs, which is ultimately how I came to be blogging right now!
There were other interesting sights too which I'm sure Al would like to mention, but that will have to wait. I am using my new laptop for the first time today and so far, haven't got yesterday's photo's up, so that will have to wait too! Of course, Lady Liberty is captivating.
The other highlight for me was another bridge (and there we many). This one was tiny and near Spuyken Duyvel train station. We had to wait until the train that they were expecting, had crossed the bridge and then it swung open for us on a central swivel. That was fascinating and the first time I've experienced going through a bridge-way like that.
Firstly for it's fame in the King of Queens sitcom, but secondly, and more importantly, for it's mention in a book I read about 5 years ago called Julie and Julia. It was made into a movie last year, but really not so good (the book is way better), even though it had Meryl Streep acting as Julia Childs. The book was the catalyst for my interest in blogs, which is ultimately how I came to be blogging right now!
There were other interesting sights too which I'm sure Al would like to mention, but that will have to wait. I am using my new laptop for the first time today and so far, haven't got yesterday's photo's up, so that will have to wait too! Of course, Lady Liberty is captivating.
The other highlight for me was another bridge (and there we many). This one was tiny and near Spuyken Duyvel train station. We had to wait until the train that they were expecting, had crossed the bridge and then it swung open for us on a central swivel. That was fascinating and the first time I've experienced going through a bridge-way like that.
Friday, 4 November 2011
4 November 2011 NEW YORK Friday
Relatively early flight to New York this morning with a freezing arrival at midday.
After checking-in to The Manhatten Club we walked along 5th Avenue and found Barnes and Noble where an extremely helpful employee helped this technologically challenged individual sort out some glitches with my Nook. Now it's fully readable again - yay.
Not much else happening today, just settling in and taking it easy.
After checking-in to The Manhatten Club we walked along 5th Avenue and found Barnes and Noble where an extremely helpful employee helped this technologically challenged individual sort out some glitches with my Nook. Now it's fully readable again - yay.
Not much else happening today, just settling in and taking it easy.
3 November 2011 WASHINGTON DC Thursday
Another early morning run, followed later with a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
I made it to The White House for high-tea with Michelle, but for some reason the security guard wouldn't let me in - I think he mistook me for a random off the street person! Nevermind, I'll let him off....this time!
We also saw the Pentagon and of course heaps of other monuments and impressive buildings, but the one that commands the most respect, in my opinion, is the Lincoln Monument with a statue of Abraham Lincoln seated and surrounded by enormous pillars in a massive rectangle structure, while he overlooks the entire National Mall, taking in the reflecting pools, Washington Monument, Capitol Hill and much more.
I made it to The White House for high-tea with Michelle, but for some reason the security guard wouldn't let me in - I think he mistook me for a random off the street person! Nevermind, I'll let him off....this time!
We also saw the Pentagon and of course heaps of other monuments and impressive buildings, but the one that commands the most respect, in my opinion, is the Lincoln Monument with a statue of Abraham Lincoln seated and surrounded by enormous pillars in a massive rectangle structure, while he overlooks the entire National Mall, taking in the reflecting pools, Washington Monument, Capitol Hill and much more.
2 November 2011 WASHINGTON DC
After a chilly run along The National Mall, we then strolled back along the same route later in the day to take in some of the many Smithsonian museums.
We had a very sobering walk through the 4-storey Holocaust museum and again learned another important facet of the American culture in placing high priority on knowledge for their citizens.
The National Mall is a pretty area to walk, with pools of reflection between the monuments making it easy on the eye as you witness some of the tragedies of history. It is a 2 mile stretch of park and we walked almost to the end until we reached the Washington Monument with an entire circle of American flags around it's base.
Smithsonian Castle
Washington really seems to relish in the history of America and places high esteem on it's past Presidents who have made a difference; placing so many statues and monuments in tribute to them and to war veterans. It is a very linear built city which makes it quite intriguing as you follow the monuments and statues that are facing specific directions as well as facing other past Presidents' statues as well.We had a very sobering walk through the 4-storey Holocaust museum and again learned another important facet of the American culture in placing high priority on knowledge for their citizens.
The National Mall is a pretty area to walk, with pools of reflection between the monuments making it easy on the eye as you witness some of the tragedies of history. It is a 2 mile stretch of park and we walked almost to the end until we reached the Washington Monument with an entire circle of American flags around it's base.
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
1 November 2011 WASHINGTON DC Tuesday
Today was the earliest start yet, with a wake-up call at 2.45am and airport pick-up at 3.50am.
We flew to Salt Lake City where it was snowing!! but only for a 45 minute lay-over and then on to Washington DC. After a lengthy drive by taxi, from Baltimore airport to our hotel we arrived in Capitol Hill with an impressive sight of The Capitol Building.
Later we strolled to The Chophouse and Brewery for a delicious dinner and strolled back amongst hordes of ice hockey fans after a game. The police presence in Capitol Hill is higher than the citizen ratio I'm pretty sure!
We flew to Salt Lake City where it was snowing!! but only for a 45 minute lay-over and then on to Washington DC. After a lengthy drive by taxi, from Baltimore airport to our hotel we arrived in Capitol Hill with an impressive sight of The Capitol Building.
Later we strolled to The Chophouse and Brewery for a delicious dinner and strolled back amongst hordes of ice hockey fans after a game. The police presence in Capitol Hill is higher than the citizen ratio I'm pretty sure!
Monday, 31 October 2011
PHOTO'S ADDED - BOO! 31 October 2011 SAN FRANCISCO - Grand Hyatt Monday
Left Marin RV Park extra early to hand back Doris the RV. It was great fun but now for our hotel, the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco - WOW.
Off for shopping to our favourite store, Macy's and a late lunch with special Halloween Pumpkin Spice Latte - yum. Halloween shopping included an ANGRY axe-wielding-music-playing-dancing pumpkin for Al and pumpkim smiley face earrings for me. So many people walking around the city in weird costumes - such fun.
Off for shopping to our favourite store, Macy's and a late lunch with special Halloween Pumpkin Spice Latte - yum. Halloween shopping included an ANGRY axe-wielding-music-playing-dancing pumpkin for Al and pumpkim smiley face earrings for me. So many people walking around the city in weird costumes - such fun.
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