New York City: Day 1 Part 1- Big Green Lady and Trains Under The Ground

Last Friday evening, Jon and I left on one of two coach buses headed for New York City. We were in the city for 4 full days! Jon is a high school band director and he and his performing arts department teachers were taking some of their students to NYC. I knew this trip would be too much for Charlotte and Evan to handle so they got to have a vacation at Nana and Grandpa's house. They had a blast! It's the longest I've ever been away from them but it helped to know that they were having such a great time.

Jon's going to add his comments along the way as we relive our trip. Jon's comments are in blue.

Jon: Yeah! It's almost time to go!

Becky, stop taking my picture I'm trying to read!

We drove through the night and arrived to a very cold, windy, and rainy NYC. Our first stop was the ferry depot (not sure what it's called) in New Jersey so we could see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Here was my first view of the city.

Do you think Jolly Ranchers have a little food coloring in them?

Yeah a ferry ride! I'm so glad Becky is with me on this trip!

We were so happy to be on the Ferry and out of the cold and wind for even a little bit.

Here's the main building on Ellis Island. The building is so beautiful.

My father's father's father's father's father may have been here.

This room had awesome acoustics with the longest, clearest echo I've ever heard.

I loved this room. It was the room where most hopeful immigrants waited before the long process of being approved for citizenship.

I love these light fixtures with the ceiling tiles as a background. I think I walked around with my head to the sky for much of this trip.

These buildings, across the canal, were equally as beautiful though we didn't get to tour them. They were medical building long ago.

She needs to take a shower.

Jon's so funny. Here's our view from the ferry.

It was crazy cold when we took this picture. We took a quick picture or two and then ran for the little coffee shop to wait for the ferry.

This one's for you, Charlotte. She requested a picture of us in front of the S.O.L.

It really was amazing to see her up close.

The ferry tour was a long, cold 3 hours and half of those 3 hours was waiting for the ferry at each stop. We docked at Battery Park and regrouped before heading to the subway.

One of the kids tried to make friends with the pigeon. I'm not sure the pigeon is convinced.

So many amazing buildings.

I love this little, old building smushed between the two modern high rises. Way to stand your ground, little guy!

Riding the subway with 65 highschoolers who had never ridden a subway was an experience. Trying to get everyone on the right train all at the same time was an adventure but luckily no one ever got lost while on our trip.

Growing up 90 minutes from Washington D.C., I have been on subways/metros before. I found New York's subway to be cleaner then I imagined but the stations were smaller and harder to maneuver in the DC metro.

This subway ride took us to the heart of Times Square. To be continued...