NYC--Last Day:(

This was our last day in NYC. I know it's taken me forever to get it posted....technical trouble.

It's pretty amazing how much of NYC we've seen this trip. And it's all because we took the subway! It's really pretty cool, you go underground in one area and get on the train, when you get off and climb up out of the subway, you are in a whole new completely different part of the city!! And the best part is that it didn't cost you a $20 cab fare!

We started out EARLY this morning for the Statue of Liberty. Scott and I were here in June the last time we tried to see her and the line was all the way around Battery Park. This time we purchased our tickets online and picked them up at will call. We were shocked because there was not a single line until we got to Liberty Island. Security was tighter there than at any airport I've been to. You go through metal detectors and have your bags xrayed before you board the ferry. Then, if you have tickets to go inside the monument you have to stand in a "puffer" which looks like a metal detector, but blows four very strong bursts of air on various parts of your body to determine if you've been around any explosive materials or chemicals. Then, you have your bags xrayed again and pass through another metal detector. There are also signs in all the subways, ferries, and attractions that say, "If you see something.....SAY something."

The museum is really cool. They have her original torch, molds used to create her, and it explains how she was designed. My favorite part was the letters people sent to the committee that helped restore her in the 80's. Letters from people who had passed her on their way into this country. They were awesome, very moving. The museum ends at the 124 steps to the observation deck! Once there, exhausted and out of breath, we got to look up into the inside of the statue.

The view from the observation deck was amazing. It was a perfectly clear day. We hung out there for awhile and then went down and had lunch. After lunch we caught the ferry over to Ellis Island. We looked around there and then decided to catch the 1:00 showing in the theater of the documentary, "Island of Hope, Island of Tears." I used to show this to my classes every semester, it was dark and warm in there and I fell asleep. I think so did everyone else. After that we decided to catch the ferry back and head to the hotel for a rest!

After we rested we just stayed in Times Square and had dinner, pizza of course! We went to the M&M store, Toys R Us, and several other little tourist stores. The big highlight of the evening though was the Charmin Times Square restrooms!! Jason and I both were looking for a restroom and Scott pointed us toward the Charmin courtesy restooms. He and Cathy went on to the M&M store. After a very long escalator ride up about three stories off the street level we entered a veritable restroom wonderland! It was a pristine red carpeted area playing the Charmin theme song. We were greeted by a man wearing a toilet bowl costume who welcomed us and said, "I hope you enjoy your Charmin restroom experience!" And an experience it was! There are about 20 individual restrooms and 4 people who clean them after each person uses it. There is a very funny young man with a bull horn that points you to the next available freshly cleaned bathroom! After you finish you can wait for the rest of your party by waiting in the sitting area, dancing on stage to the Charmin jingle, having your Christmas card photo made, or shopping in the gift shop. Yes, you read that correctly.

We were sad to have our vacation end, but I admit I was ready to get back home to the kids. We had a great time with Jason and Cathy, we were so glad they came with us. The trip was a perfect way to celebrate our 10th anniversary!

Blessings,

Leslie