June 04 - Travel to New York City

Today we flew to New York City for a week vacation with our friends, Jim and Phyllis Bratt.  After getting to know them pretty well we all decided that we might make really great travel companions.  However, before making plans for a two or three week or longer trip with them to some exotic place we decided that we should perhaps do a shorter trial trip.  We decided to New York City.  It is close (relative to international travel), there is lots to see and do, and would give us a chance to see how well we travel together.  

We arrived pretty late, took a taxi to our hotel in downtown Manhattan, settled in and then went out VERY late to try to find something to eat.  There was a convenience store on the corner that sold pizza by the slice.  We decided it was as good as any and was food so we all ordered pizza.  We all agreed that it was exceptional.

Then it was back to the hotel to collapse (after midnight by now).    

June 05 - Central Park

Jim and Phyllis had friends they were visiting in New York City so today we split up.  We decided to take a walk through Central Park.  It is large enough one could spend the entire day there.   The park is a great urban green space but you could see many of the buildings over the treetops. 

We found the carousel.

And there were interesting nooks and crannies and walkways to explore.

There were certainly a lot of beautiful flowers throughout the park.

Bow Bridge was very scenic.

We found Belvedere Castle...

and the Bethesda Terrace.

People watching in the park was great...

as was animal watching.

And a Central Park visit would not be complete without a carriage ride.  We didn't take one but we certainly saw a few.

The scenes on the streets of New York were colorful.

This was the street view out of our hotel window.

June 6 - Walking Manhattan

Today was primarily a day for walking around Manhattan

World Trade Center site

Lunch was in pizza in a former church.  Much of the interior architectural details were intact, including the gorgeous ceiling.  We all agreed that the pizza was not asw good asw what we had the night we arrived, at the little corner shop.

We had a great time on the Highline (a section of old raised train tracks that were converted into a walking trail).  The people watching was good...

there were lots of flower beds...

and many interesting buildings, old and new.

We had views of the Hudson River from the Highline.

We also had views of the Empire State Building...

and the Chrysler Building.  

The walk ended at the Chelsey Market.