In preparation for the Road Scholar
Trip to New York City I read "New York" by Edward
Rutherfurd. This historical fiction looks at the fascinating story
of New York City from its early years as a 17th century Dutch trading post
through to the present day.
Saturday, April 16 - My youngest sister, Jeanette, dropped me off at PDX airport. I traveled via Alaska Airlines from Portland, Oregon at 6:00 AM, arriving at National Airport via Seattle about 4:40 PM. I had Bulkhead Seat. Alaska Airlines tried to take my Bulkhead seat (6A) in Seattle however I insisted that I had paid for that seat. I suggested three times that they gave me a seat in First Class if they wanted my seat. They didn't. I kept my seat in 6A.
I rode from National Airport to the Van Dorn Street Metro Station where my eldest son, Jeff, picked me up. We had dinner at Delia's - a Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza. I had a Gyro with a glass of Erath wine. I stayed in an 8th floor suite at the Comfort Suite in Alexandria. My home away from home. Great location. It is now serving a breakfast buffet.
Sunday, April 17th - Following breakfast I took a cab to the Amtrak Railroad Station, Alexandria I caught the 8:25 AM train to Penn Station riding in Business Class arriving at 12:47 PM. I walked across the street to The New Yorker Hotel (1929). I had a great room - 748. Comfortable arm chair for relaxation. Beautifully decorated.
Road Scholar Program Registration was held at 4:00 PM. I was given an info packet. I was also given a yellow gold baseball cap which I was expected to wear. Not going to happen! Dinner was in a diner off the hotel lobby at 5:00 PM. Orientation was held at 6:15 - 7:30 PM. After Orientation the group walked over to the Empire State Building. I chose to go by myself later so I could have more time to explore the exhibits and the 86th floor.
Monday, April 18th - Following breakfast in the diner, we had an introductory lecture on New York City. Following the lecture, we took the subway to New York Public Library (and a Box Lunch), St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center. We had a behind the scenes tour of Radio City Music Hall. We had dinner at a neighborhood restaurant - Chef Yu. After dinner, we heard an introduction to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, in preparation for tomorrow's field trip.
Tuesday, April 19th - Following breakfast in the diner, we traveled via Subway to the ferry that took us to Liberty Island. I wandered through the museum. I had lunch in the cafeteria. I did not visit Ellis Island. Back in Manhattan I did the National Monuments Virtual. We regrouped in Battery Park. Joe, a R. S. Helper, and I rode the subway two blocks from the Empire State Building. I spent a couple hours looking at the exhibits and the view of Manhattan and beyond. I had dinner at Chef Yu, an authentic Chinese Restaurant.
Wednesday, April 20th - Following breakfast in the diner, I went to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre for 9:00 AM Rush. I was able to get a $138 ticket for $38 (partial view). I went to the Grand Central Terminal to do the Virtual Cache. I enjoyed the Whispering Gallery. I got a quick snack of yogurt and another of fruit near the theatre at Pret A Manger. I saw the musical "Come From Away" from Row A 7, sitting on a big cushion. I found a Virtual at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. I watched "Survivor" in the evening.
Thursday, April 21st - An art historian gave us an overview of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We rode the subway to the west edge of Central Park. While the group traversed Central Park I rode the bus with Joe, the R. S. helper, across to the museum. I ate a Chicken Taco Wrap and Chocolate Brownie for lunch in the cafe overlooking the courtyard. I met Patti from Bend, Oregon when I shared their table. I saw four works of art that really interested me - the Tiffany Window "Autumn Landscape", Portrait of Madame X, Washington Crossing the Delaware and a portrait of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Road Scholars had dinner at a neighborhood Pub. I watched "Master Chef Junior". I packed my luggage for the Amtrak trip to Charlottesville, Virginia.
During my stay in New York City I found four Virtuals: "The Empire Strikes Back", "National Monuments", "Busman's Holiday" and "The Grandest of the Grand". I also found three Benchmarks.
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