Well we've had quite the Christmas break, which is still yet to be finished. We took a visit to the temple to see the lights. Saw the live nativity, and went inside the visitors center to enjoy the
Nativities from around the world. We also stopped in on a live performance from a local group singing in one of the theatres.
Nativities from around the world. We also stopped in on a live performance from a local group singing in one of the theatres. Our vacation really began as we started on our trip to the much raved POCONOS!!! We woke up early and sped our way into Pennsylvania in order to make it to the complimentary breakfast buffet. Over the course of two days we downed a combined 12 plates of "free" breakfast and dinner, maybe the best part of our stay. Of course we had to take our picture next to the giant champagne glass.
As we pulled up to our room it didn't look like much more than a local motel inn. The room was smaller than expected, but had the awesome heart shaped jacuzzi (Connie's favorite) w/ a red dimming light above. Just to the left was our round king size bed w/ a ten mirror headboard. Overall the place was super cheesy and in desperate need of some "hotel flipping."
We were most excited for the snow tubing and snowmobiling that was part of our "all inclusive" stay. Though there was sufficient snow, they had yet to set everything up so tubing was closed and snowmobiling consisted of a short lived circle. So we had to make due w/ the other plethora of activities. We enjoyed some minigolf, iceskating, a shuffleboard table (our favorite), bocce ball, pool tables, and archery. All in all a good trip for what we paid for. Had we paid full price it would have been a disappointing start to our first Christmas vacation.
With the Poconos in our rearview mirror we set our sites on The Big Apple, NYC. We passed through New Jersey where we had our gas pumped by the friendly attendant. Connie didn't believe me when I told her it was illegal to pump your own gas in NJ. We stopped to 
see the Statue of Liberty before hitting the city. As you can see we were pretty far away, but walked around the park to get a closer shot. (The close shot also has the Brooklyn Bridge, far shot has Ellis Island). We entered NYC crossing the state line in the Holland tunnel which Connie was flabbergasted over the 8 dollar toll. Our hotel was nestled right smack in the downtown bustle, was just a half block from the Empire 
State Building. The city was packed w/ tourists, and we got right to it and set out to see the sites. Connie was most looking forward to the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It was freaking ginormous, but really cool. The whole city was decorated, and 
everywhere you turned there were lights, decorations, or something to catch your eye.
State Building. The city was packed w/ tourists, and we got right to it and set out to see the sites. Connie was most looking forward to the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It was freaking ginormous, but really cool. The whole city was decorated, and 
everywhere you turned there were lights, decorations, or something to catch your eye.We stayed on the streets that night and saw numerous statues, cathedrals, radio city, the world's largest maceys, the Disney store and took another stop at Time Square.
The next day proved to be troublesome as it rained all day long. The
umbrella vendors sure made bank that day as we too bought a large $10 umbrella from one of the street vendors. We rode the crazy NYC metro that day and made stops at Grand Central Station / Bryant Park, Central Park, and the Statin Island Ferry center at the lower tip of Manhattan. Even though our planned Central Park picnic was ruined, we did enjoy a small stroll through the park and had a fun time feeding the ducks. Connie was reluctant to use our Bugles, but as the ducks flocked around us she couldn't get enough.
The next day proved to be troublesome as it rained all day long. The
umbrella vendors sure made bank that day as we too bought a large $10 umbrella from one of the street vendors. We rode the crazy NYC metro that day and made stops at Grand Central Station / Bryant Park, Central Park, and the Statin Island Ferry center at the lower tip of Manhattan. Even though our planned Central Park picnic was ruined, we did enjoy a small stroll through the park and had a fun time feeding the ducks. Connie was reluctant to use our Bugles, but as the ducks flocked around us she couldn't get enough.We planned on getting a shot of the Statue of Liberty from the front, but 
as you can see Con was a bit upset w/ the hazy view. The statue was unfortunately barely visible through all the rain and fog. But lower Manhattan did offer a fantastic view of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge which brought back some jolly smiles.
The smiles didn't last long though as we left the city getting stuck in some of the worst traffic imaginable. We travelled less than one mile in an hour and a half. Intersections were jammed, horns were honking, people were yelling (Christmas cheer was nowhere near). The highlight was when I got cussed out by an angry New Yorker. He got out of his car cussing and flailing his arms all over the place. I wish I could have gotten a picture of it. We did, however, get a picture of a bus inching diagonally across traffic just inches from numerous bumpers. I had to give the guy mad props for making it through there w/out hitting anyone. We passed through Delaware on our way home to Maryland completing our 5 state adventure.
Well, the fun never ends as we're off to Utah tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the gifts, and hope everyone's having as good of a Christmas as we are.
as you can see Con was a bit upset w/ the hazy view. The statue was unfortunately barely visible through all the rain and fog. But lower Manhattan did offer a fantastic view of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge which brought back some jolly smiles.
The smiles didn't last long though as we left the city getting stuck in some of the worst traffic imaginable. We travelled less than one mile in an hour and a half. Intersections were jammed, horns were honking, people were yelling (Christmas cheer was nowhere near). The highlight was when I got cussed out by an angry New Yorker. He got out of his car cussing and flailing his arms all over the place. I wish I could have gotten a picture of it. We did, however, get a picture of a bus inching diagonally across traffic just inches from numerous bumpers. I had to give the guy mad props for making it through there w/out hitting anyone. We passed through Delaware on our way home to Maryland completing our 5 state adventure.
Well, the fun never ends as we're off to Utah tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the gifts, and hope everyone's having as good of a Christmas as we are.
3 comments:
Very entertaining as usual. I was thinking as I looked at all the photos that our kids have been virtually everywhere in the last few years... to the Carribean, the south sea islands, the east coast, Europe, Scandinavia, the west coast, north, south, etc. etc. Lucky for us we can live vicariously through our children and have had a great time on our virtual travels.
12 plates of free food...psshh... weak sauce. Heart shaped tub and big champagne glass...TOTALLY! LOVING IT! Looks like a killer trip. NY is the bomb, looks like you guys took a big bite out of the BIG APPLE :)
Round bed!? How was that? Looks like a totally awesome trip. How did you get that perfect picture of connie pointing at the statue of liberty? What a camera man you are. Sounds like you had the full New York experience even down to the crazy driving!!
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