The Big Apple

Well today we made it to the BIG APPLE! Haven't had time to upload any photos yet. We had another early morning wake up to catch a train out of Prospect Park, PA at 7AM- then boarded an Amtrak train from Philadelphia to Penn Station, NYC. Along the way many kind (female) strangers helped us with our multiple large bags. I think it's because Grace is too darn cute! (well, that doesn't hurt!) We took a cab from the train station to our apartment on the Upper East Side. Our apartment is FABULOUS! Clean, quiet and spacious; two blocks away from the Guggenheim and Central Park. It has wifi, A/C, free telephone/cable, windows,full kitchen, etc. I highly recommend those of you planning trips check out VRBO.com to find places to stay- this is our first time and it is working out great! The owner of the apartment is very nice and helpful. And it is costing the same as an average hotel in NYC without the 13% tax! We bought groceries (fruit, cereal and Diet Coke) at the store on the corner then we went to explore Central Park. It's hot here and Grace did pretty good but then she got a blister. We loved the Turtle Pond- it's huge with red-eared sliders and dragonflies. Lots of people were out enjoying the weather. Lots of babies in Bugaboo Strollers. We checked out Belvedere Castle, then ate a hotdog at the Boat House. Grace is fascinated by all the pigeons! Then, instead of catching a cab back (due to the blisters) I decided it would be more fun to get on a pedi-cab. Well he never told me how much it was going to be even though I asked (first mistake).. and it ended up costing TWICE as much as our cab from the train station. Oops. But he was cycling in the heat and it wasn't very easy work.. but it cost about $2/block.. And Grace hated it. So no more pedi-cabs. Soon we have to get ready to head to the theater district to watch the 'Little Mermaid'. Grace won't take a nap, hopefully she holds up.