HH and I took a little trip. We went with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law to the Big Apple for four wonderful days. It was my second time to visit, and HH’s first. I loved what he said about it. “It’s like they took the Oklahoma State Fair and dropped it right in the middle of town.” I was afraid he wouldn’t like the hustle and bustle, but he’s ready to go back. Today.
We saw two Broadway shows, Wicked and Young Frankenstein. The actors were true professionals and the stagecraft, from the sets to sound effects, was mesmerizing.
It was exciting to travel the Brooklyn Bridge, and to ride the elevators to the top of the Empire State Building and 30 Rock. We also went to Ground Zero. For me, it was emotional, like Oklahoma City’s own bombing, but on a super-devastation scale. The other time I visited was 1980, and the Twin Towers were new, pristine, shiny. When we flew in on Thursday, I prepared myself, but I was still shocked not to see them in the skyline, anchoring Lower Manhattan. 
We saw the plaques and read the stories of brave police officers and firefighters who gave their lives to save others. I was especially touched by the firefighters of Ladder 10 and Station 10 who were right next to the buildings and lost so many men.
My favorite part of the trip was eating at Tavern on the Green and taking a carriage ride through Central Park. 
It was the quintessential tourist activity, but that’s because it was so much fun. Stephen, our carriage driver, was a great source of information about the park and its adjoining landmarks. The weather was cold and kind of snowy, but there was still a lot of green in the park from grassy areas like the sheep meadow (which truly was once used to graze sheep,) the spreading yews and the rhododendrons lining pathways. 
Because there was little foliage, I could see the bones of the park; the ridges, rocks and valleys, and the winding paths, all part of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design. Oh, I can’t forget the bridges, wearing their moss green cloaks, and the lovely old white Sycamores. I enjoyed every moment walking and then riding through. The park is an emerald oasis in the neon, steel and mortar city.
So many television shows and movies are filmed in New York that every corner looks like part of a giant movie set. When we walked by Tiffany’s, I could see Audrey Hepburn strolling in her hat and gloves for “breakfast.” 
Inside, I remembered the scene in Sweet Home Alabama where the hapless boyfriend, played by Patrick Dempsey, asked Reese Witherspoon to marry him. The people walking the streets seemed familiar in their black heeled boots, trench coats and colorful scarves. From the bus, we did see something being filmed that featured 20 police cars careening down a blocked off street lights flashing, but no sirens blaring. For my husband, it may seem like the fair, but for me, it’s Disney World, only grittier.
What a wonderful posting about New York. Having grown up there, I thought all cities were like New York City until I did some serious traveling.
Now I have such an urge to get on the train and pop in for a walk around Central Park. Maybe in another week or two I can find a day to slip out.
This was my first visit to your blog, love all the daylily photos 🙂
Melaine, I’m so glad you stopped by. I love your fair city and hope to go back soon. I am a daylily fan as you probably guessed.~~Dee
Oh, how I so want to visit NY more now. Eat the great food and see so many great sights.
Curtis, you should SO go.~~Dee
I went to New York City with my daughter …it’s one of her favorite places in the world so she took me to all her favorite places and I loved it also. You are so lucky to see Wicked on Broadway! I saw it in San Francisco and loved it. And Young Frankenstein! Was it good? I’d love to see it. We saw Curtains, Drowsy Chaperone, and Spring Awakenings. I have a similar photo of the railing I assume is in Central Park…I thought it was the same, but not quite. Mine is from near the Angel of the Waters fountain. You brought back good memories…wouldn’t want to live there but what fun to visit!
Leslie, I loved both Wicked and Young Frankenstein. YF was very baudy. It made the movie look tame. I would like to see Curtains too. Visiting is enough for me too.~~Dee
Like some of your other commentors, the last time I was in NYC I was about 15. Twenty-five years later, I’m way overdue for a visit. Your post reminds me of the things I loved about NY way back when.
After you get the Spring Fling under your belt, you should make plans to go. You’ll be surprised how little it’s changed.~~Dee
You described that so nicely. I enjoyed your version of it. My son and dil are going next week. I think I’ll send them your blog to read so they can get excited. I would be emotional too about the twin towers site. My dh was stationed at West Point during the first bombing. I was there the day they bombed the basement . Our van had driven by that very spot less than an hour before the bombing. We had 32 little kindergarten kids with us.
I know many people whose lives were affected by the twin tower bombing. It is going to be like the monument in Hawaii for the WW2 attack on Pearl Harbor. We will never forget.
But it sounds like you had a wonderful trip. You sure did do a lot. Glad you got home safely.
Hi Anna, thanks for coming by. I hope your son and dil have as wonderful a time as we did. Your stories about being near the original bombing gave me chills. We won’t forget. I don’t see how we could.~~Dee
Oh, honey, you make me feel as if I were there with you. The pics are fabulous. Thank You!
I’m so glad. Thanks on the pics. I took them with my little Sony. I didn’t want to lug the “good” camera around.~~Dee
It’s been years since I’ve been to NYC. Your remark about Disney World, only grittier, is a perfect description of this wonderful but foreign-seeming city, especially when one grew up in the desert southwest.
Aiyana
Hi Aiyana, it did seem like Disney, but not Disneyfied, you know? I love the southwest. One of my favorite places to travel.~~Dee
I haven’t been to NY since I was 16. I’d love to visit again someday–it’s such a vibrant place.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
Brianna, I was 17 the last time I was there. I will be 46 this year. That’s too long to wait. You should go again.~~Dee
It sounds as if you had a wonderful time in New York. Your photographs are cool. I was there in 1974 on a school tour and have never gone back … always planned to, but just never have.
Hey Kate, I’m amazed at how many of us went on high school trips and stuff and then never went back. I was 17 when I went before. The other amazing thing was that it hadn’t changed that much.~~Dee
I havn’t been back to NYC since 9/11. But need to take my man as he has never been. I will miss Windows on the World and the towers. Such a beautiful city, even small towners like me can enjoy it.
Oh yes, I guess I’m a small towner too. I loved, loved, loved it. I’m ready to return.~~Dee