The Big Apple!

The ride from Boston to New York City was very enjoyable. We missed all commute traffic on both ends!
We stayed with "Peachy", Micky's big sister Diane's best friend from high school.
Micky stayed with Peachy and her family when he graduated from high school in 1975, so it's only been 38 years since they have seen each other!  Neither have changed a bit!

We took the train into Pennsylvania Station and made our way out onto the streets of New York City in search of the Empire State Building!

Fortunately for us it was right down the street from Grand Central!

A short walk, a quick $54, and a rapid ascent to the 86th floor observation deck! 

We were hoping to see Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Tom Hanks or Meg Ryan, but alas, they were no where to be found.

So as we headed on down to the exit,  a couple  commented on Micky's Sturgis hat. They ask us if we have been to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis because they live in South Dakota near Sioux Falls. We tell them of our niece and nephew Brian and Kristy who live in Dell Rapids. He responds, "that's where we live, what is your niece's name?"

Not only do they know Brian and Kristy, but their daughter is one of our great-niece Danielle's good friends!

We made our way south and took the Staten Island Ferry for a view of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of downtown.

We then walked over to visit the 9-11 Memorial Site. The New Freedom Tower of the Trade Center can be seen in the above photo and below is 2 World Trade Center.

We walked through the entire memorial and found our friend Tom McGuinness' name on the North Memorial Pool.

Tom attended Riverview Church for several years and was the second chair on flight 11.

We enjoyed our walk downtown then jumped back on the subway and then the train back to Peachy's.

We took care of some errands on Friday as Kathie just had to get her nails done!

We really enjoyed spending time with the ladies at the Nail Salon.

We were fortunate to be introduced to Randy, a retired New York Fireman. a friendly, outgoing New Yorker!

A short ride over the Throggs Neck Bridge and we were in Connecticut to visit Dave and Jennifer Gish. Dave was the youth pastor at our church when we began attending in 1986. We worked many years with Dave in youth ministry and he had a great influence on the lives of our family.

 Dave is now pastoring a church in Connecticut.

An absolutely amazing week!