The clock is ticking down.

Let me get this off my chest. I HATE THE LAST DAY OF TOUR.

Not because of the kids, not because of parent, not because of the TDs. I hate it because it means the trip is over.

I don't have any pictures to post from today, although at some point you will see a little video that I shot. Today will end up being another of our "Days of a Thousand Stories". We visited the Spy Museum, Ford's Theater, and Petersen House...then turned everyone loose on the city ( and beyond) to explore, experience, and eat up those things that drew their attention most.

I will be posting some of those stories in later blogs.

For today though, it is time to take a little trip down memory lane....just a few shots to remind us of where we have been.

Busy, Busy, Busy Day

...I know it sometimes gets repetitive, but again, that was quite a day. We started the day with a nice breakfast at the hotel before going out for the tour with our step-on guide (each time we enter a major city, we have these. They are locally certified and frequently tested on what they know.) She took us over to the Iwo Jima Memorial. An impressive practice for a ceremony was taking place while we were there, and that just seemed to set the tone for the day. At the Capitol, our congressman was not able to meet with us (unexpected markup on a bill...hmmmm...that is interesting, since apparently there was a breakthrough on the war funding issue today...I wonder if that is why he couldn't make it?)
Okay, enough politics...because while we were waiting we saw not one, but two practice flyovers by the Air Force Thunderbirds....and when I say we saw them, I mean we saw them very close-up, since they flew right over our heads at just a few hundred feet about us.

Next, lunch at the Old Post Office, then we hoped on the Metro and headed to Arlington. We had a great visit to these very sacred grounds. EVERYONE learned new things today, and many on the trip were moved by displays and the incredible changing of the guard ceremony.



After that, we caught the train to dinner, then we took the train to Foggy Bottom, and then walked to the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

I am just going to post some pictures today

If they really are worth a thousand words, then I am hoping that these do the trick...because right now, I am out of words.

Free Day Wrapup (at least from my perspective)

First off...boy are my feet glad that that is over.

We hit the road early, leaving the hotel just after 7 on route to breakfast at the Stage Door Deli, then trekked down to Battery Park for the boat trip out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. (a few decided to skip this portion of the trip for a tour with last years tour star Tony Jackson...I would have been hard pressed to turn down such a tour myself) We stayed on the boat at Liberty Island (the pictures are good, but without an appointment to enter the statue base there just isn't much to see at the monument)

BTW...as I am typing this (11:50) a group just entered the lobby...excited, and full of stories about their shopping adventures.

...okay...so back to the day. We went to Ellis Island, where I led a quick tour. When we returned to the Battery, it was off on our varied adventures. My group (Jacko and Zach) decided to do a shoe test by walking from the southern tip of the island to Greenwich Village, were we ate Cuban food. Then up to Time Square because Jacko wanted a picture with The Naked Cowboy....but apparently it was his day off. Next we visited the M&M store, the NBA store, the new Apple store at 59th and 5th, and tried to visit FAO Schwartz (but they were closing), so I offered my group, which had now expanded by two with the additions of Nabil and Brandon, a few choices. Hang out near the park for awhile (we had agreed to meet Mrs. Foster at 8 at Mickey Mantle's Restaurant for either dinner or dessert), head back and drop off our stuff at the hotel, or catch an express train to 161st Street (we were at 59th) to visit and take a few pictures at Yankee Stadium. Wanna guess what they chose? The train trip was good, the 4 express is one of the smoothest lines in NYC (I could have taken a nap, but there was no place to sit...and I haven't yet figured out how to sleep while standing on the train) We made it up to the Stadium in just under 18 minutes, took some pictures, and were back at Columbus Circle after about 52 minutes total. Next, a dirty water dog for everyone, then off to Mickey Mantle's. where about half of us decided to have burgers to accompany our appetizer. After dinner, I took a small group down to Time Square on the NQR line so they could take a few pictures, soak up a little of the atmosphere of the Square, and pick up some "affordable" trinkets.
I pointed one of the groups back to the Carnegie, and then used the NQR to bring my small contingent back up to the hotel. Since then, blogging, memory card downloading, listening to the stories of the day, and waiting for the ball game attendees has occupied my time.

Soon sleep will...I hope.

WHAT A DAY!

We did a little bit of everything today.

Our day started with breakfast in and around our hotel. Then on the bus to meet our "City Tour" guide. We had a great walk around Central Park, which was longer than normal, since we had already done Ground Zero and the Lower East Side. Then it was off to Greenwich for Pizza, Eclairs, Mediterranean food, etc. Then back up to the Upper East Side to The Met for a look. The new Greek and Roman wing is INCREDIBLE.
After all of that it was back to the hotel to dress for the play, then a quick run to Ben's Deli(highly suggested to anyone needing some tips for a good meal near the Theater District.)
Phantom was maybe as good a presentation as I have seen of it (this was my 5th or 6th time seeing it)...I
After the play, most of the group headed back to the hotel with Mitch and Alan (Our Super TD's) Of course, I just cannot be like everyone else, so I led a group of 13 on a little adventure. We first headed into Time Square....and then...


We stopped in front of TGI Friday's, and stood in front of the Webcam, on our way up to the Carnegie Deli, were we had at least one piece of each of their cheesecakes....the blueberry and the turtle were deemed the best by the group.

While at the deli was saw Dave Mustaine, formerly of Metallica, now the leader of Megadeath (you parents will be happy to know that only the adults knew who he was)...btw, he looked happier than this picture. He apparently had performed tonight in New Jersey, so the Carnegie Deli was his post concert meal.

Sitting at the same table was Micheal Badalucco from "The Practice"

To make a long story even a little longer...we finally arrived back at our hotel at 1:30....the 6:20 alarm is going to be painful.

I will be posting more pictures from today...but we haven't had time to clear memory cards today, so I don't have any material.

Just one more note...the posting times are a little misleading, apparently my computer thinks I am still in the Victor Valley...but at that moment it is 2:24 in the morning.

Webcam for Time Square

Tomorrow night, it is likely that your students will call you after the Phantom of the Opera to tell you that they are on the Friday's Webcam...this link will help you find that website quickly,

We have arrived...and we have fully embarked on the adventure

After arriving a little late, we got into Manhattan and deposited our luggage at the hotel (which is very nice might I add.) We then headed to Grand Central Station for brunch. It was then off to the subway for a trip down to the Brooklyn Bridge, which the students walked across, and then headed into Brooklyn Heights to learn a little about the ground where the Battle of Brooklyn Heights occurred. It was then off to some ice cream under the bridge.
After a train trip back under the East River we toured St. Paul's and Ground Zero before heading up to the Empire State Building. After that, off to pizza, and then back to the hotel for some much needed rest...because tomorrow we have at least as much to do.