Friday
Day #3
This morning we woke to our last day in the Big Apple
I won’t miss the crowds, the garbage in the streets, or the naked cowboy on the corner
But I will miss the gorgeous architecture, the beauty of the parks,
And the excitement of being in the city that truly never sleeps
I’m not sure what I expected but New York doesn't disappointment
We made our way down towards the waterfront to Battery Park
And took a one-hour harbor cruise to see the city from the water
The sky was clear, the weather gorgeous, and Manhattan was amazing from the water
Since both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were closed
Due to damage from hurricane Sandy
We were able to cruise close enough to enjoy them
As the boat turned and Lady Liberty’s face came into view
I thought about the countless immigrants who sailed into New York harbor
Seeking freedom and hoping for a better life
After weeks at sea, the dangers of a long voyage, and hearts filled with expectation
Weeping tears of joy at the sight of Liberty’s beautiful face
New York would have been their first glimpse of America’s shores
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| MANHATTAN SKYLINE |
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| THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE |
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| THE FREEDOM TOWER FROM THE WATERFRONT |
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| ME AND EMILY |
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| THE LADY |
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| THE LIGHT OF LIBERTY |
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| STATEN ISLAND FERRY |
The sculpture located on Broadway created by famed artist, Arturo Di Modica
Many of the buildings near the waterfront area
Were being gutted and storm damaged waste thrown into huge dumpsters in the street
Floridians are no stranger to the devastating power of hurricanes
New York wasn’t prepared
Several of the tunnels we drove through during our taxi rides
Were completely under water and had to be pumped dry
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| TRINITY'S ENTRANCE |
In 1697 the church received its charter from King William III of England
Trinity burned in 1776 when Manhattan caught fire
As the Continental Army retook New York
Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were both members of Trinity
Hamilton is buried here in the churchyard
Following George Washington’s inauguration he attended a Thanksgiving service here
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| THE ORNATE PULPIT |
The church has been added to and rebuilt several times
And the current building was completed in 1846
Those of you who know me well know I not only LOVE history
But I LOVE historic architecture
This church is one of the most beautiful structures I’ve ever seen
It reminds me of something you’d find in Europe
Soaring arches, intricate stained glass windows, ornate carved woodwork
A beautiful pipe organ, a chapel for quiet reflection, and marble carved crypts
Being surrounded by centuries old architecture and old world beauty
Was simply breathtaking
Everywhere I looked there was something else to marvel over
It was the perfect place to reflect
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| BREATHTAKING |
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| BEAUTIFUL STAINED GLASS WINDOWS |
Call it a morbid fascination or just a complete love of everything historical
But the Sutter family enjoys strolling through old graveyards
Wondering over the stones and the epitaphs honoring those long gone
This particular cemetery was full of beautiful sentiments and very old stones
Including those of William and Elizabeth Bradford, pilgrims to the new world
I could have stayed and wandered among the quiet rows for another hour
But time was pressing so we moved on
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| MARBLE CRYPT |
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| REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO |
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| REMEMBERING THOSE LONG GONE |
Our last stop before heading to John F. Kennedy airport for the flight home
Was Bryant Park in midtown ManhattanSandwiched between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues
It’s also bordered by the New York City Library and other iconic buildings
Like the American Radiator Building, now the Bryant Park Hotel
Built in 1924 in Gothic Art Deco style
Bryant Park has a long and storied history
Today it’s a beautiful ten-acre plot of nature amidst towering skyscrapers
It has wonderful shops, eateries, and an ice skating rink
Which Marilyn and I saw from the top of the Empire State Building
The park provides a fun place for families to gather and friends to meet
We watched the children making their way around the ice rink
Some with their parent’s assistance, some wearing crash helmets and knee pads
I personally would have needed a pillow strapped to my bum!
I shopped in a wonderful little boutique, purchasing gifts for my girls
We stepped into a taxi for a ride back to our hotel
Grabbed our bags and headed to the airport
Our last cab ride was with our favorite driver, Naveed
He regaled us with stories about surviving Hurricane Sandy
And Janine rode up front discussing the latest football game, of course
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| BRYANT PARK |
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| THE RADIATOR BUILDING |
Three days – four crazy women – one city – and the Macy’s parade
Words and photographs are all that remain to help us recount
The priceless memories and stories the four of us will share for a lifetime
New York will always be our Big Apple
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