A Very Busy Week for Me October 10, 2009
Posted by Chris in Family & Friends, In the City, In the Neighborhood, travel.add a comment
Gary, Melinda and Sugar came to town to visit. We made it to all of the hot spots in Manhattan during their four day stay, plus we ran over to Hershey,PA to tour the chocolate factory. I couldn’t help but think that my friend, Eric, would have thought he had died and gone to heaven surrounded by millions of Kit Kats and Hershey bars. I think we crammed about as much as we possibly could into 4 days, and I feel a lot more confident about where to go an what to do now when guests come to stay for a while.
Sugar, Me, Melinda & Gary at the Statue of Liberty
Gary, Sugar and Me on the Top of the Rock in Manhattan
Me on the Top of the Rock with the Empire State Bldg in the background
Texas Coming to New York July 26, 2009
Posted by Chris in Family & Friends, In the City, Texas, lakehouse, travel.1 comment so far
The buzz around Arrowhead Resort at Lake Whitney in Texas these days is that my proprietors and friends Gary & Melinda, as well as Gary’s mom, Sugar, will be making an Autumn trip to my place. On the agenda, a tour of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway show, and some sightseeing in Manhattan. I am sure somewhere along the way we will fit in a couple hands of UNO or Phase 10.
A December Evening in New York City December 4, 2008
Posted by Chris in 2008 in Review, In the City, New York, Photo Blog, Tis the Season.1 comment so far
The 2008 Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center in
New York City
The show was awesome. If you event have the
opportunity to see Jersey Boys, do it!
Kicking Around in New York City November 22, 2008
Posted by Chris in 2008 in Review, Family & Friends, In the City, New Jersey, New York, Photo Blog, Places, Video Blog, Videos, beacon.4 comments
Granny’s visit came to a close today as Roseanna and I got up early so we could take her to the airport. The weather, although VERY COLD, was clear today, so after all of the goodbyes, she departed on time from Newark and Roseanna and I headed down to the New Jersey shore so that I could show her Sandy Hook. I wish it had not been so cold because it would have been nice to do a lot more walking along the beach than we did, but it was in the upper 20’s with a very strong wind.
Me at the Statue of Liberty
After the Sandy Hook excursion we made a quick run through Liberty State Park to see Lady Liberty before heading through the Holland tunnel to Manhattan. It was Roseanna’s first time in New York, and I think
she enjoyed it. We stopped in at Carnegie Deli, one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall joints in the city.
Video Blog: Chris and Roseanna Live from Manhattan
-
- Granny showing Beacon some love before leaving for the airport
-
- Beacon on the table watching Granny get on her coat
-
- Once an Army Post guarding Sandy Hook
-
- Missile at the entrance to the Fort Hancock Army Post
-
- Missile at the entrance to the Fort Hancock Army Post
-
- The beaches are open all year long but they are vacant this time of year.
-
- Quick photo. It was SOOOOO cold.
-
- It is a shame that the old buildings at Fort Hancock are in such disrepair.
-
- Another view of the lighthouse.
-
- One of the Officer’s Quarters
-
- We got a little too close and attracted the attention of a Feberal Officer who recommended a good place for us to have lunch
-
- Manhattan over my right shoulder, its 25 degrees right now! COLD!!!
-
- Chris at Sandy Hook, NJ Lighthouse
-
- We had a great lunch at this little place, as recommended by the officer at the Coast Guard station
-
- Pretty Fall Day – but it felt like winter!
-
- Just about every car at the lighthouse had these specialty plates
-
- The Bay at Highlands, NJ
-
- Its a strage feeling seeing Manhatttan from a beach!
-
- Again, it was freezing. Even Lady Liberty was cold!
-
- Look Ma, no mustache or goatee!
-
- Driving Roseanna through Central Park
-
- As pictures out of my sunroof
-
- I am glad I drive a HUGE SUV in NYC. People stay out of my way pretty good.
-
- We stopped in for a break. One of my favorite places.
-
- Anyone want to share? Impossible to stay on a diet at this place.
-
- Currently under renovation but it is still amazing
-
- Newly remodeled and just re-opened.
-
- You can feel the energy in Times Square at night
-
- Took this one out of my sunroof
-
- Roseanna grabbed a couple of great NYPD Times Square pictures
-
- NYPD at Times Square
40 Miles Makes a Big Difference October 2, 2008
Posted by Chris in In the City, In the Neighborhood, New York, Weather Report, weather.add a comment
I am starting to notice the real change of seasons. In addition, I am starting to really see that, while we are only 40 or so miles away from New York City, it is a huge difference in terms of the weather, especially at night. It will be interesting if, this upcoming winter, that means that 3 inches of snow in the city means 12 inches here on the mountain. That is what I am been told, and actually I am looking forward to it.
Schooley’s Mountain – Long Valley, NJ - My Neighborhood
New York City, NY
All Hell Breaks Loose in New York City September 28, 2008
Posted by Chris in In the City, In the Neighborhood, Videos, police.1 comment so far
Chaos in Times Square
The first time I saw something like this I thought … well, you can imagine what I thought. Actually, New Yorkers are used to this as you can see, but the tourists are always a little shocked. These demonstrations are what the NYPD-ites refer to as “Surge Drills”. They happen pretty frequently around the city – Times Square area, the financial district, Central Park, So Ho – - – you never know when or where. They are intended to demonstrate force and the ability to quickly mobilize.
Amtrak to Baltimore and Back August 23, 2008
Posted by Chris in In the City, Places, travel.1 comment so far
My first Amtrak trip from Newark’s Metropark to the DC area was enlightening. For a newbie, train travel can be intimidating. Everyone around you is on a mission. They are in a hurry, they know what they are doing, and you get the feeling that if you get in their way, they will just throw you on the tracks and be gone. When the trains appear in the distance, the loudspeaker crackles and someone in a heavy New Jersey accent yells a bunch of numbers and words, and the only think you can understand is “TRACK ONE”. When the train arrives, you get about 4 seconds to make the decision regarding ifi it’s the train you are supposed to be on, and if it is, you better get on quick.
I suppose the more you do it, the better you get at it, but I will need to do the Amtrk thing a few more times before I feel like a pro at it. I traveled with one of my bosses on this trip, so it was good to be with a rail vet. First thing to know…regardless of what is painted on the train car itself, the first car is always business class on the regional train. On the Acela, the first car is always First Class. There is no First Class on the regional line. The Acela is a high speed train that doesn’t make as many stops between New York and Washington. If you don’t mind going to Penn Station instead of BMI, it’s a a great option. Its always best to pay the extra few bucks, go on the Acela, and upgrade to First Class. The nice thing about the train is you can get some work done. Plenty of room, 120v AC plus at every seat, and a nice snack car make the trip a quick one. My wireless worked the whole way there and back.
Once I get the whole train station thing figured out, I think I will prefer the Amtrak Acela over the regional flights from EWR to DC. Less expensive, and for a day trip, definitely less stress.
The ramp at Penn Station in Baltimore
Outside Penn Station, Baltimore MD
The Acela Arriving at Penn Station
