Sorry for the lack of communication.

Computer issues
Hopefully they will get resolved next week.

Love to all.

We are home now. One week gone, but it seems like much longer. We were able to see and do so much, and there was so much we did not do and see.

This is just a short synopsis. I apologize for the previous few blog posts coming basically at the same time. This was partially due to being in travel mode, without a dedicated computer (or time). In addition, upon return WordPress was not allowing me to upload pictures, and so I could not complete the posts until just recently.

Accomplishments in transportation: Hailed a taxi, rode the subway (many times), drove a car – in the city, and walked and walked and walked. [I think there is a reason we did not see as many really overweight people in NYC. I am sure they exist, but you do expend a fair amount of energy just getting to where you are going.]

We saw (in no particular order):

• A Broadway Show – Wicked
• Times Square
• Empire State Building
• Grand Central Station (Jay)
• Yankee Stadium (the new)
• City Field (the Mets)
• Camden Yards (Carl via the Mega Bus to Baltimore)
• High Line (Jay)
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• 9/11 Memorial
• Statue of Liberty
• Ellis Island
• Cooperstown
• The Catskill Mountains in full fall color
• Sports field at Baruch (think Frisbee)

We thank Ashlan (and her roommates) for putting up with us. Carl did some cleaning to try to repay the kindness, and Jay unloaded the dishwasher twice (good luck finding things). It can be difficult to share your space and routines for as long a time as we were in town. Hopefully we will be welcome to come back again sometime.

We thank Rey for sharing “his” vacation with us.
I was originally looking at October, or later, for our vacation. But September was still baseball season, and NYC has 2 teams!

The main memory of visiting New York City is PEOPLE.
There are so many. Everywhere. At all hours.
It is rather like driving across the entire country to understand how big it (the country) is. You have to experience the place to understand and internalize the reality.

Always the last to load

Friday was our (Carl & I) last day of vacation.
The plane left early enough on Saturday to not really count.

The first part of the day was driving back to the city from Cooperstown.
We generally rested and ate in the afternoon. Some good greek food if I recall correctly.

Then it was off for a walk along the East River to an ultimate frisbee game.
Rey and Ashlan ran to the game, while Carl & I stolled.

This is looking North with Manhattan on the left, Brooklyn on the right. There is a small Coast Guard boat speeding down the river. When it got closer you could see the gun mounted on the bow. [This is the same type of boat we see on the Puget Sound.]

We saw more than one party boat plying the river.

Jogging on the path is apparently the thing to do. We also saw fisherman, bikers and strollers.

The Williamsburg Bridge is visible past Carl (waiting for me to take yet another picture).

Ashlan plays in two leagues. The Friday night league is the “NYC Social League.” The teams are formed rather randomly from those that sign up, and you are expected to go out together after the game. We did cramp Ashlan’s style a bit on this Friday night, since she did not want to either dessert us or take us along.

Rey played as well, an unexpected treat. He made an impact, scoring a goal(?), and passing to help set up a few others. [Ashlan played well too, but they expected it of her. Rey was an unknown.] I did take some action photos, but the field lights were the portable work-light variety. They provided a bright light, basically horizontal to the ground, and directly into the eye of the camera. Not the best for photographs.

We walked back along the river again and got this view of the Williamsburg Bridge again, this time with lights.

The Empire State Building on the left. The vertical lights near the top are the same that I took a picture of looking up from the 86th floor a few days earlier.

Looking North again, with the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge connecting the boroughs.

It was finally time to head home (away from home) for final packing and setting the alarm to leave.

Our great New York vacation also took us out of The City.

Upstate New York.
The Catskills. From Wishbone, although perhaps not quite correctly, “I don’t know why they call it the Catskills, cats don’t have skills.”
The Baseball Hall of Fame!

The drive up to Cooperstown took about 3-1/2 hours. I am still not quite sure what the mileage was from start to end.
This side trip involved renting a car.
This meant actually driving said car in New York City, on the way out of town on Thursday, and then back in on Friday. We survived, without a ding or dent. [On our way out of town on Saturday AM, our cabbie said traffic on Friday was the worst he had seen in a long time.]

Once we got out of New York City, and then through much of the New Jersey segment, we had a very scenic trip. I had not researched this part of our trip, or even looked at a map. And since the rental car office near Ashlan’s apartment did not have any maps, we were dependent upon our smartphone information.

I believe GoogleMaps was the basis or our directions.
There may have been a route with fewer road changes, but the route provided was fun to drive.
2-lane roads, winding through the countryside. (Very little traffic once we hit these sections.)
Beautiful fall colors. (No pictures. I was driving.)

We finally reached Cooperstown about 1:30 PM. Saw our motel on the drive into town, but continued on to the Hall of Fame Museum. The hours were 9-5, so we did not have a lot of time to waste.

Carl had somehow found out that if you had ticket stubs from a major league game on “Induction Day” (July 22nd) you could get free admission to the museum. As luck would have it, we were at a Detroit Tiger’s game on that day (in Detroit), and had the ticket stubs in hand. I think I had tried to recycle these ticket stubs more than once, but Carl stood firm on saving the tokens of the game.

First stop – the Ron Santo exhibit. Santo was one of the inductees for 2012, so he was displayed outside as well as in.

A fond memory for our family is listening to Ron Santo on the radio as an announcer for the Cubs. I don’t remember who he partnered with, but they were providing the play by play. Much of Santo’s color consisted of, “Ohhhhhh”, or “Arghhhhh”, or a very excited explanation for a play that went the Cubs way.

The Gallery was our first stop. The plaques are displayed in order of induction year. An example of how they are mounted, and then some individual favorites.

For the close-ups – Santo first.

Roberto (don’t call me Bob) Clemente Walker

Gaylord Perry – the first Mariner player in the Hall of Fame.

Stan Musial – for our St. Louis connections.

Bill Veeck (Veeck, as in Wreck). On owner with a gift for showmanship.

Veeck is the man who brought in Eddie Gaedel, at 3’7″ the shortest player in the game. At least for one at-bat. He was walked, and then pulled for a pinch-runner.

Carl Hubbell. Note the Carl H. connection.
Funny story with this one. Carl wore a uniform one year that said “Carl H.” on his back.
One of his teammates took to calling him “Hubbell.” Several years later Carl ran into this teammate again. He said he had been trying to look up Carl’s phone number in the phone book, and why was he not listed. Carl asked him what he was looking under. When he said, “Hubbell.” Carl said, “My name is HARMS.”

The announcer’s are in a different wing. The Mariner’s past announcer, Dave Niehause, was inducted by winning the Ford Frick award a few years ago. There was really only a small amount of information on display for any of the announcers.

We sat through a short film on baseball history. The film was shown in a grandstand style theatre, with a backdrop of old Comisky Park.

I was intrigued by this display of old baseballs. There are even more that do not show up in the picture, I am sure they are kept dark to keep the printing on the balls from fading.

A close-up of my favorite. (Carl and his friends have been complaining for years about the practice of stamping “Practice” on the sweet spot of balls often used for batting practice. The sweet spot is where you want to get an autograph, if that is your thing.) Apparently this is not a new practice.

From the smallest (Eddie Gaedel at 3’7″) to the tallest (Jon Rauch at 6’11”). I still think Randy Johnson (6’10”) stands taller.

The Museum does try to keep up with recent events. Here is Felix Hernandez’s uniform from his Perfect Game on August 15th. The story is that his uniform almost did not make it to the Hall of Fame, as the Mariners had to order a second to replace this one, and get it to the team before his next start. [Each player has two uniforms, but they are different materials, and Felix only likes the heavier material.]

There was a small Baseball in Art collection. Many different art styles. Even a Mariner, with a photograph of Ichiro. Actually a photograph of a plastic Ichiro figurine, with the exposure done so that it was hard to tell it was not the real person. I particularly liked the Leroy Nieman print, although my family did not share my opinion.

An outdoor sculpture of some little leaguers.

Pitcher to Catcher.

As it turned out, the approximately 3 hours we had to spend, was just the right amount of time for the museum. They have much more information than is on display (would they be considered hoarders?), and you are allowed to do research in their library. But that was not our plan, or task, so we left to find some dinner.

Being the off-season, the stores on main street had turned into pumpkins by the time dinner was over.
Carl & I did window-shop in the dark. It was fun. The stores seemed vaguely familiar to those in Sault Ste. Marie, if you substitute balls and bats for freighters and lighthouses.

A t-shirt I found humorous. [It might not make sense if you don’t know the Most Interesting Man in the World commercial for Dos Equis beer.]

We did stop by briefly in the morning for a few postcards, coffee and some pastries, before hitting the road back to the big City. The trip back was similar to the trip up, except that it rained for a good portion of the drive. We have been fortunate on our trip to generally be inside when the rain was falling, whether it was a building or a car.

Hall of Fame at Night

Wednesday was our most touristy day in NYC.
It really did go from lows to highs.
Starting at the 9-11 Memorial, with the fountains going deep into the ground.
Ending at the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building.

When Wednesday started depends on your point of view.

Rey & Carl actually started Wednesday in Baltimore.
Their first hours were on a bus, dozing.
They arrived back at Ashlan’s apartment just before 6 AM.

Ashlan’s day started with letting them in.

Everybody’s morning continued with a bit more slumber, until timed events beckoned.

Our first stop of the day was the 9/11 Memorial.

Entering the site everyone is subjected to airline type security, minus the full body scan. A group of secret service folks entered (from a separate gate) about the same time as we did. This show of force did not seem to attract undo attention from the crowd. Perhaps this is normal for New York, especially when the UN is in session.

The South Pool – try to use the people for scale.

The North Pool

I found the water intriguing. (But I always have.) The fine edge at the top seemed indicative of I.M. Pei’s windows design for the World Trade Center.

The sheer number of the names can give one pause.

There is one tree known as the Survivor Tree. I am not sure it is in its original location, but is meaningful none-the-less.

The 9-11 Museum – not open just yet.

One of the new towers under construction.

After we left the memorial, we took a walk along the waterfront. I believe this is the Hudson River. Lots of boats, but no airplanes.

The day was cloudy, but we did manage to skip the rain showers.

We had lunch at the Chipotle next to Battery Park.
The line was long, but met Ashlan’s prediction of 10 minutes until we had food in our hands. (Yes this is chain food, but it was fast – and basically healthy, and filling.) Carl wondered if the Seattle version of this restaurant would match them for speed. We actually dined in Battery Park. With the pigeons.

Next stop was the ferry, first stop – the Statue of Liberty.

I just found the different views of buildings interesting, throughout this trip.

Manhattan.

The boat was fairly crowded. The trip started with most people seated, until the statue came into view.

Statue herself.

The last time I was at the Statue of Liberty was in 1964.
I am sure we went to the lookout, and I seem to remember climbing up to the torch.
Spiral staircase? Can I get a confirmation on this 48-year old memory please.

The statue itself was closed to the public, so after a walk around the island we moved back to the ferry.

Next stop – Ellis  Island.
I do not remember Ellis Island from 1964, so perhaps we did not make this stop.

We spent considerably more time here, enjoying the exhibits.

Back to Battery Park, and home for a brief breather and refresher.
We had Avocado Pizza for dinner. It was delicious (which I spelled delishis initially), but also a bit deadly.

The evening’s primary entertainment – a show on Broadway.
We saw Wicked, at the Gershwin Theater.

It was fabulous.
At the end I really felt like I had checked something off of my bucket list. Which is funny, because I don’t have a bucket list.

We set out on foot after the show. New York’s finest Mounted Police at Times Square.

Next up was the Empire State Building.

Apparently this is a popular stop for 11 PM on a Wednesday.
The line for the elevator from floor 80 to 86 was so long, they said those that wanted to take the stairs instead, could. So we did.

Looking up from the 86th floor observation deck.

The leftmost blue spire is where the New Year’s Ball drop is done.

Another view from the 86th floor, with the Chrysler Building.

Last 86th floor picture.

We splurged and bought tickets to both the 86th floor and 102nd floor (1 floor from the top). The 102nd views were, well, higher.

Another view from 102.

And one more.

My attempt to get both the family and the city lights.

The attendant took a picture of the whole family together, using his handy light source, which helped with the interior/exterior contrast. (I felt like I was at the optometrist.)

Finally home, or rather Ashlan’s apartment. On the Q to the L.

It is Friday evening, and I am still working on Tuesday.
Hopefully I will have some time to progress on this still tonight, or remember it all for a bit longer.

So this post is about Tuesday evening.

Our primary activity was a Mets game at Citi Field.

The route to Citi Field involved 3 subway lines. This alone is enough to sway Ashlan towards Yankee games.

Batting practice for us lasted about three batters again. The gates are only open 1-1/2 hours before gametime, and we were not waiting at the gates when they opened. We were also frisked upon entry.

Rey and Carl at BP

The food choices were much better than Yankee Stadium. They even had a gluten-free stand.
The stand below was the Shake Shack. Ashlan said they had good burgers, and they did have the longest line.

Citi Field –

Pre-game festivities

Spent a bit of time getting some different view points

You can see our seats to the left of the scoreboard

A closer view of the scoreboard.

The view from our seats.

from our seats in left field

Our seats were in the third row of left center.
The first two rows were super premium at twice the price.
The ushers were initially diligent about checking our tickets for the correct section, at least 3 sets of people sat in the same “Premium” seats in front of us. I doubt any of them actually owned the tickets.
Then there was a small lower picnic section in front of the “first” row.

Essentially, we were near the front, but it felt much further from home plate than our Safeco Field seats. Citi Field has a big outfield.

Today’s (Tuesday’s) line-up

Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets

It was also WINDY in left field. This made this event the first time we looked for our outer-wear.

How’s my hair?

Are we having fun yet?

The wind may have helped with the four home runs. (We were close to this celebratory fruit.)

The Home Run BIG APPLE

I was actually not too cold, with 3 layers.
Carl did not get cold until the 9th inning.
Ashlan and I were not there to witness this event, as we left shortly after the 7th inning stretch.
It had been a long day, including work for Ashlan, and home seemed like a good place to head towards.

Not quite sure why there is a big pig in the concourse.

On our way home we stopped off at Grand Central Station.

Grand Central Terminal

The above is a repeat picture, but it really was the close (picture wise) to Tuesday.

And the Mets lost, but  I can’t quite remember the score. Possibly 8-6 (unverified)

It is Thursday morning, and I am still working on Tuesday’s material.
Suffice it to say, Wednesday was very full, and I am trying to keep things in order.

This is a continuation, or rather, specialization of the MET experience.

My father has long had an interest in Annunciations. We have one hanging in the living room.
That is in my parents house.

Once upon a time I had explained much of the symbolism in Annunciations.
A few include: Lily = Purity, Enclosed garden = Purity, Cross = Virgin, Dove = Holy Spirit, the Virgin’s ear canted upward = the opening for conception. I don’t know what the open book means. The angel is the Archangel Gabriel.

Anyone is welcome to correct, or expand on, these explanations.

We saw lots of Annunciations, and some of them turned out better than others.

Click on a picture to get into the bigger versions

Next – the other Mets.

Rey and Carl actually started their Tuesday in Baltimore.
They attended 2 Orioles vs Blue Jays games in one day.
This was bookended by bus trips to and from NYC.
More on this in a later post when I have some pictures and better explanations.

The preceding introduction was really only to let you know that they were a bit tired today, having arrived back at Ashlan’s just before 6 AM. They did sleep for a while, but not as long as they might have  liked.

Anyway, this post is a series of pictures of our visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Although there were tired folks and feet at the end of the visit, we could have spent a lot more time here.
We never did even find where the Warhol exhibit might have been.
(Note: Part 2 of this blog day is also from the museum.)

Today is my day on my own.
Carl & Rey departed this morning for Baltimore (Orioles game of course), and will return early tomorrow morning. About a 22 hour sojourn. I hope they get a little sleep, although we have nothing planned for tomorrow morning.

Ashlan was going to spend some time with me, but I slept late (part 1 of my plan for today), and she got called in for an earlier shift at work. (Part 2 of my plan was to do some reading. That part has not materialized as of yet.)

I did have what might be considered a luxurious morning.
After a brief time vertical, in which I made coffee and wished the boys, “Bon voyage,” I slept until 10 AM.
Ashlan made me a smoothie for breakfast, and I had some of the previously brewed coffee.
(This may not seem like much, but this Seattleite went the entire day yesterday with no caffeine.)
Then after she left for work I took a shower, without worrying about anybody else needing the bathroom. This was indeed a luxury in a place currently inhabited by 6 people.

Finally it was time to venture out into the CITY.

So, with apartment entry tools in had, I exited.
Found my way back to the subway entrance, and the side of the tracks running west.
The stop I was ending at was the end of the line, so no real mystery there.
Two blocks further west, and the stairs to the High Line appeared directly in my path.

The High Line is now a park, but was a train that served the industrial area near the west waterfront.
There were some signs explaining the history, and just lots of vistas to check out.
Buildings, people, scenery… and it was OK to look like a tourist with camera in hand.

I even got stopped by a group asking for advice about raising kids.
They liked my 1 line answer, so I had my picture taken and was provided with a $5 Starbucks card.
[My advice was, “Wait for them to answer.” To frequently the parents are on to more questions before the wee toddler has formulated an answer to the first question.]

I have put together the following pictures from my day in one small part of the city.
The High Line is about 1 mile of trail, and I went from end to end, so a short walk. At least I got some exercise in.

(Apparently you will need to click on the pictures to get to the larger view)

The return trip went fairly well, except I chose the wrong exit out of the subway (wrong corner of the intersection that is). I turned around 3 times trying to get going in the right direction, but never got too far wrong before I figured out my mistake. Anybody choosing to watch me probably got a chuckle, and I am SURE I looked like a tourist for these few moments.

Ashlan lives in Stuyvesant Town. (From their web-site)

Manhattan Living with an 80-Acre Backyard

Located in the East Village, Stuyvesant Town is something totally unique in Manhattan… oversized, renovated apartments set within an 80-acre private park, featuring an abundance of activities, amenities and services. From the hundreds of social events, seasonal greenmarket, live music, movies, and food fairs, there is always something going on at Stuyvesant Town!

Oversized is perhaps a bit of an overstatement,  but perhaps not for NYC.
It is comfortable.

It is also large enough to be recognizable on the aerial maps, which is helpful for when I am trying to figure where all things fit together.

Stuy town from the air. Ashlan’s Apt is near 14th and Avenue B (for those that know NYC, near the right side of the photo.

Ashlan was a bit hazy on the history, so I consulted Wikipedia.
In brief, a post World War II housing complex. Located on what had once (in the 17th century) been the 80-acre farm of Peter Stuyvesant, the last Director-General of New Amsterdam.

The area was part of the Gas House District in the early 1900’s and home to large gas tanks.

Gas tanks seen from East 20th St towards 1st Avenue in 1938

Stuyvesant Town was built after World War II as a public-private partnership between Met-Life and NYC. The early history of the complex include discrimination and lawsuits regarding condemnation of land, and whether private companies  should profit from “public benefit” takings of land. (It seems that on that subject not much has changed over the past 70 years.) The lawsuits continue, or at least until recently.

In the present it has afforded Ashlan an almost affordable reasonable place to live.
She started her adventure in a Brooklyn apartment. A bit less expensive, but considerably further from work and play.