Pickle-Middleton Summer Road Trip 2010

Today we woke up(after a VERY long night at our hotel--there was a teenage girl's soccer team and their parents staying at the hotel that were up all night and apparently deemed it necessary to jump, yell, and talk at the top of their lungs ALL NIGHT), had breakfast and got the car packed up.

We stopped at a local Wegman's grocery store in search of Redbridge beer for our friend Rick, and Ian did find a couple of six-packs to bring home for him.

After that, we headed north on I81, through Watertown and made our way to the border. We barely had to wait(maybe 3 cars were ahead of us) before going through. The lady was very nice and before we knew it we were back on Canadian soil!

We travelled west on the 401 to Belleville, where we stopped by at Mom and Dad's to stretch our legs and let Claire show off some of her new purchases.

We stayed there until 5pm-ish, when we left for our last trek home.

We made it back to our house around 7pm, and was it ever great to be back! We were greeted at the door by both Lucy and Maverick, who were quickly showered with affection by Claire. We started unpacking our things and got a couple loads of laundry in. Claire and I snuggled, watching Care Bears and Thomas the Train while Ian ran out to the grocery store to pick up a few things to get us through the morning. We then got our PJ's on and got ready for bed.

We had a fabulous trip--one that we won't soon forget. It was worth the hours of driving, packing and un-packing at all the hotels, and all the walking just to see Claire's face light up at Sesame Place when the characters came over to give her high-fives during one of the shows. It is a trip we would do over and over again, just for the pure joy we got out of seeing Claire so excited and happy. That's what family vacations with your kids are all about.

Today was a much more calm day!

We all got up, had showers, and packed up our things. Ian's parents left the hotel around 10am, as they had a long drive to Virginia to stay at Kathy's niece's house. We left the hotel around 11. The Cafe we had been to the last two days was closed--we decided they only were open during the week for all the business workers in the area.

We had to stop for gas about an hour into our trip and we also made a quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts for Ian to get a coffee. He picked up donuts for Claire and I while he was in there--they're OK, but the ones from Jeff's bakery are far better!

We headed back out onto Interstate 81 and thought we better stop in Syracuse for the night. We had a coupon book, but when Ian ran into some of the hotels, all of the "coupon rooms" were taken, of course! We decided to stay at the Holiday Inn Express in North Syracuse. It has a pool and a free "hot" breakfast, which is worth paying a little extra for.

Once we checked in, we drove over to the Carousel Center. Claire and I made out like bandits! She got new party shoes(her current pink ones could make you pass out if you smell them!), a top with shorts and a pink hair-band with a flower. It's very cute. I bought a couple maternity tops for $15(you can't get these in Canada for that price!!) and a nice dress that should fit me well into the Winter. Ian bought a shirt from H&M.

Before we did all our shopping, we ate at Ruby Tuesday's in the Mall. Claire had noodles(not a surprise), I had pasta with chicken, mushrooms and peas, and Ian had tilapia.

Once we were finished shopping, we went back to the hotel and let Claire go for a swim. She had a great time!

We went back to our room, Ian and Claire had showers to get all the chlorine off, we put our PJ's on(Claire had her new party shoes on with her princess PJ dress!) and watched TV.

Tomorrow we head home, with a quick pit-stop in Belleville(if all goes according to plan). I really hope we don't have to wait too long at the border.

Night Night!

Today's word of the day: HOT!

Another stifling day in the Big Apple!

We started back at the Harbourside Cafe just around from our hotel for breakfast/lunch. We went back to the PATH station just around the corner from the Cafe and went back to the World Trade Centre station. It was raining the whole time. Just a few blocks from there is the Fulton Street station with a train that takes you right to 59th Street & Lexington Ave. We made our way to Central Park, and then over a block to F.A.O. Schwarz. Claire had a BLAST! I think she was in little kid heaven--there were so many toys for her to look at! I think we spent close to 3 hours in the store. We even took her to the floor piano from the movie "BIG". She had a great time dancing and jumping on it. On the lower level, there was a section for kids to colour-Claire was there for half an hour or so. This child loves to colour! We picked out some "soft crayons" for her, that when you colour on paper and then you take a wet paintbrush, turns the crayons to paint. Very cool! Claire also picked out a Jack-In-The-Box, only the toy that pops out is a small F.A.O. Schwarz bear--so cute! I also picked up a door sign for Claire's new room.

After we were "finally" finished, we walked around the outside of Central Park to the Zoo. We only had an hour to go through it, but it it's not too big. We walked though the exhibits. Some of the animals(Polar Bears and Snow Tigers) weren't moving at all--it was far too hot to move with a fur coat on! The most interesting part was the Penguin exhibit. There we a lot of them and about 3 different breeds. Some were swimming around, others standing on the rocks. While we were there, one of the workers came and took something from under one of the penguins that was sitting higher up on the rocks. When she came back, we realized she had taken a baby penguin and then brought it back! I suppose they had to check it and make sure it was healthy.

We kept walking around, and found a spot we could feed goats. Claire thought this was great! About then, we were told we had to make our way out, as the Zoo was closing.

We walked out of the park, and over to the Carnegie Deli for dinner. On the way we walked through Trump Towers and Tiffany & Co. Claire fell asleep again, so we ate dinner while she was sleeping. We had corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. YUMMY! They tasted just as I remember!

When we left the Deli, Claire woke up, of course! It took her a while to really wake up, so we kept walking until she told us she was hungry. We took her to TGI Friday's--we had drinks while she ate some pizza and carrot sticks. We were all hot again, so we didn't mind sitting in the air conditioning again!

We left the restaurant and walked over to Grand Central station to get the subway back to the World Trade Centre station. We hopped on and made it to the station--when we got back to Fulton Street, it was pouring rain again. It stopped as we walked to the PATH station--and away we went to Jersey City. We took some pictures of the NYC skyline in the dark with the buildings all lit up on our way back to the hotel. What a view from the board-walk here!

We got back to our room, put on our PJ's, and watched some TV.

I will be sad to leave tomorrow, but it will be nice to get home. Ian and I need to decide where we are going to stay tomorrow night--maybe Syracuse. There's no way we could drive all the way home tomorrow. I don't think Claire could take such a long drive.

Night all!

Today we started out by going to the Harbourside Cafe (just around the corner from our hotel) for breakfast/lunch. It's very reasonable-I can see us eating there the next couple days!

After, we walked across the street to the PATH station-the trains that you catch there take you right to the World Trade Centre station. It's a pretty short ride too, maybe 5 minutes and you are in Manhattan.

We made our way out of the station and you walk right beside Ground Zero. There isn't much to see these days, as they are in the middle of construction, so everything is blocked off. Even still, there is an odd feeling as you walk around, knowing so much pain was inflicted there. I was glad to see they have started constructing something--it looks like 3 buildings--one tall, and the other two shorter. I believe one of the buildings will be a memorial. There are lots of cranes and workmen around--seems like they are working around the clock to get things going.

Across the street from Ground Zero is St. Paul's Episcopalian Church. The amazing story is that during 9/11, this church wasn't ever harmed. Nothing was wrecked, the windows stayed intact, hardly a dent. This church became a safe haven for Police, Firemen and Rescue workers in the weeks after. There is a cemetery all around the church, with OLD headstones. Some were so old, the writing had been worn off and they were weather-beaten. Some of the ones we could read dated back to the early 1800's. We made our way into the church and as I walked inside, I felt a real sense of calm, and yet sorrow. So many people came to this church to rest and to be safe, and I can't even imagine the horror they went through. There was a big memorial to all the people who went missing after 9/11--families made up flyers with pictures of the missing to pass around, in the hopes that they would be found and these were all over one table. There was a section with a pile of badges from all of the Police/Fire rescue workers that came to help from all around the world. It was amazing to see how far people came--Melbourne, Australia, Barcelona, Spain, etc. to lend a hand. Next to that was a section of teddy bears that the workers were given when they came to sleep at the church. They resorted the church back in 2002, but they left the benches that the Firemen slept on. When the Firemen went to the church to sleep, they had to leave all their gear on just in case they had to go back early for an emergency, so the benches were all worn. The people at the church decided to leave the benches as there were, as a tribute to all the men and women who risked their lives. There were a few banners from all over the US hanging from the balcony still. There was a cot there, again left as a tribute to the people who survived and stayed at the church during the turmoil. It was quite an emotional thing to see.

After this we went for a walk down and around the Wall Street area(LOTS of suits and high-priced cars!) and then to Battery Park. There were lots of vendors around the park and we found a few treasures. Claire had a good run around the park chasing the "birdies". Then we made our way to the Staten Island Ferry. We went across and back to get some pictures of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Once we got off the Ferry, we found a pub called the Pound and Pence to eat dinner. It was an excellent meal! I ate the most delicious burger I have ever had. Claire had fallen asleep on our way to the pub, so I took some of my meal back to the hotel for her to eat later.

After we ate, we made our way back to the PATH station and then to our hotel. We were all tired, so we just watched TV before going to bed. Tomorrow is our last day here in NYC and we have lots planned!

Well, what another busy day!

Once we all got up, had breakfast, had showers and packed up we set out on another(albeit shorter!) road-trip to Jersey City, NJ. This trip was much more eventful-if not crazy. Good thing for a navigation system or we definitely wouldn't have found our way. We had to merge, stay left than exit right and visa versa. It wasn't a trip I would want to have to do many times, that's for sure!

We arrived at our hotel, Candlewood Suites, in Jersey City around 12:30pm. It was too early to check-in, so we took what we needed and started the walk to the PATH station to catch the subway into Manhattan. We started out on the wrong train(Whoops!) but we realized it before we had gone further into New Jersey. We got off, and then back on to another train to get back to where we started. Once we got off, we asked where the PATH station was, and we were told it was across the street. Off we went.

Once we found the correct PATH line(YAY!) we boarded the train and started our journey into NYC.

We got off at the 33rd street stop, and walked a block north to the Empire State Building. Going with a toddler in a stroller definitely has it's perks-we by-passed a couple lines to go up the elevators. Claire had fallen asleep on the PATH subway(after a quick snack) and was still asleep as we made our way to the 86th floor. Last time Ian and I went, we had to WAIT and WAIT and WAIT--but this time we hardly had to stand in line! It was great! We got up to the observatory and took LOTS of pictures. The view from the top never ceases to amaze me-it really makes the city feel so small and close together. Once we were finished, we made our way to the 80th floor gift shop where Claire picked out a snow-globe(a pink one, of course!), and then we got on the elevator to get down to the first floor.

We decided to start walking towards Times Square--but had to make a "quick" stop in Macy's. Once we found what floor we needed to be on we took a walk around. What a massive store! I found a couple tops(which should work well into my pregnancy) and Claire picked out a new dress with leggings and Princess underwear(it's very exciting when you're 2!) We were almost ready to go when Claire found a pink sequin purse in the children's section that she just "had" to have--we tried to put it back a few times but she kept going back to look at it. I caved and bought it for her-every girl should have a pink sequin purse, right? She was such a good girl all day-never complained-so I thought she deserved a reward for behaving so well.

After we were finished in Macy's we finished the walk to Times Square. Again, we took lots and lots of pictures. We were all starting to get hungry so we walked around a bit to find somewhere to eat that wasn't packed. We ended up at the Olive Garden-we had a bit of a wait but it was worth it.

Once we finished dinner we started walking back to our subway station-taking more pictures of Times Square all lit up.

We found our station and made our way back to our hotel to check-in and get ready for bed. Were we ever glad to rest our feet!

I had a great 30th birthday!