It's up to you, New York, New York!

We had high hopes for the city that doesn't sleep.  We got into our campground around 11 o'clock, and found out it was also the campground that doesn't sleep. Now, you have to understand, we are doing the vast majority of this trip in a tent. One of the priorities at state and federal parks is to find out the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. First thing in the morning, I headed down to the nearest bathroom to us. I took the van, because I had to go pretty badly. As I started to leave the van towards the restroom, a ranger stopped me.  "Ma'am, please stay in your car.  There's a big *** black bear right behind you!"
Sure enough, I turn around and a hundred fifty feet behind me was a 300 pound black bear. Headed for my tent. Isn't this New York? Are there supposed to be bears in New York? I hurriedly approached the tent where Kayleigh and the kids were sleeping and informed them to get the heck up and get in the van, there is a bear!

The bear headed off down its own trail, and we spent the next 15 minutes recovering.  

After the bear fiasco is done, and we were dressed and ready to go, it was a 20 minute drive to the nearest train station. We took it right into Penn Station. 

Doughnuts at Penn Station 

Getting off the subway, the anticipation was building.  Would the Big Apple meet our expectations?

First impression? Wow.  Buildings for miles.  Tall, looming building.  A forest of buildings.  Times Square was the stop for Kayleigh.  We waded through the sea of culture, attempting to shield ourselves (or at least Gannon) from the mostly nude women.  We got our picture and left.

Next, we attempted to navigate the subway system to the Empire State Building. After several failed attempts to find the correct station, we found out we had come within three blocks of walking. So we walked.

The size and splendor the building was really awesome.  The fact that it was going to cost my family and I $150 to ascend to the top, and we were not allowed to take pictures of the elevator was a quick reality check of the expenses of New York. We ended up taking a 45 minute snack break in the adjoining Walgreens. Nothing that some goldfish and sprite didn't fix.  

We successfully took the subway to the 9/11 memorial.  Phew.  I got over that anxiety attack jut in time to be immersed in one of the most emotional stops of our trip thus so far.  Standing by the Eternity Pool, emotions and memories came flooding back.  I didn't personally loose a friend or family member in the attacks, however, with my deeper sense of pride and appreciation for our nation, it hit me harder than I expected. 

Fortunately, we were able to meet my friend for dinner and had good talks and good burgers!

The kids got to meet New Yorder Finest as an added bonus.  We boarded in Penn Station, transfered to Secaucus, and made it to Tuxedo.

We were over New York.

Day 2 started with a cleansing torrential downpour.  It was lovely, until we had to pack up in the rain.  At least there weren't any bears.  We decided since we hated the subway, we'd take the Turnpike to Liberty State Park, NJ.  Good call, high five to us!  $7.00 for all day parking was an added bonus. We scarfed down some vendor hot dogs for breakfast and boarded the ferry. I'm not sure if the kids had ever been on a boat before. With Lady Liberty on one side, and the New York skyline on the other, a cool breeze, and each others company, it was a very enjoyable experience.

We got off at Ellis Island, and the kids immediately ran for the Junior Ranger program. We walked through the museum, and even checked the archives for our Sicilian family. Snacks outside on the patio gave us enough energy to go up to registration hall.

The kids finished their Junior Ranger program in no time, and we boarded the ferry to head over to Liberty Island. We were told of size comparisons since the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Lady Liberty can fit inside the nation's capital with room to spare in the dome, and the Capitol building can fit inside the inner courtyard of the Pentagon with room to spare. Since we were not the elite few who had a pedestal or crown tickets (which must be purchased up to 6 months in advance), we strolled around the island at a leisurely pace, drinking lemonade, and enjoying the view.

We loaded the car exhausted, hot, and done with New York City. I may like to go back some time with just my husband to see a Broadway show, but Frank Sinatra can keep his New York. It took us 30 dollars in tolls just to leave the city. Good grief.