Category Archives: New York

Snake Mountain

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Back in Vermont, Snake Mountain had to be one of my favorite hikes. It was close to Burlington, isn’t super long and had the most magnificent view at the top. The view had a little bit of everything, the valley, Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains on the other side of the lake. Pure bliss, relaxation and beauty.
The last time I hiked Snake Mountain back in 2007. These pictures are from two different hikes in 2006 and 2007.
The trail starts near this old schoolhouse. What better way to sneak onto this trail in the woods.
The view, is the best! I could sit up there ALL day!
What’s really unique about this hike is the top of the mountain. It’s a giant, cement slab.
In 1870, The Grand View Hotel was built at the top of the mountain. I mean who wouldn’t want to stay at a hotel with this view?! The hotel later burnt down but the foundation remains. The trail on the way up is actually the old stage coach road.
The foliage was starting during this hike.
We stayed up there so long, we caught the sunset on the way down! I’m pretty sure I have a picture of this road from everytime I’ve hiked the mountain.
Today I’m linking up with The Paper Mama for {Wordless Wednesday}, Let Birds Fly for {The Places You’ll Go, Travel Party} and Sarah Halstead.

Let Birds Fly

The Paper Mama


New York City, March 2008

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While we were staying in Philly, we took a bus into New York City for a day so Sy could see what the fuss was all about. Just kidding, he really wanted to check it out and why not?! I’ve been there a few times but I made sure we tried to hit as many NYC landmarks as we could in the short time we were there. We couldn’t hit them all but everyone has to go at least once, right?!
First thing was first, we met some celebrities on the street.
There is a Toys “R” Us in the middle of Times Square and it is the coolest place. They had a huge truck hanging from the ceiling, a massive dinosaur, a Ferris wheel inside the store and giant things made out of Lego’s. Who doesn’t love Lego’s?!
Times Square. This place comes alive at night!
Madison Square Garden
We rocked the Empire State Building.
It’s amazing when you go up on a windy day, you can feel the building actually swaying at the top.
Even though it was a cloudy / hazy day, the city is gorgeous.
Maybe next time we’ll go up at night!
We strolled by the NYC Library.
Perused thru Rockefeller Center. Be sure to go inside and check out the building and the NBC store. It’s pretty interesting. If you get there early enough you can see the Today Show or even ask about standby tickets to a late night show.
My legs are too short to ever be a Rockette, but it’s nice to imagine, haha!
St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Once of the most beautiful Cathedrals nestled into the city.
A do believe a trip to FAO was a must! Remember “Big” ya’ll?!
I really do love this toy store. My all time favorite. Now if only I was rich!
Central Park. So relaxing. Sometimes you forget you’re in the middle of the city.
Our final stop right before Sy’s dream of hailing a cab in NYC was fulfilled.
This was the school that Sy’s grandma attended for nursing school. Still standing!
Bordem is never really an option in NYC is it.
Until next time NYC! Thanks for a day of fun!

Macy’s Day Parade

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One of the most iconic events around the holidays would be the Macy’s Day Parade, am I right? I think at one point or another we have all got up and sat in front of the TV to see the parade. Like New Years Eve in NYC, the Macy’s Day Parade on a list of things we’d like to do someday.
Now, going to stand in Times Square for NYC has never really been on any list of mine. I mean, standing in Times Square for hours on end – the real question is “Where do you pee?!”. I’m not fighting with the crowd, nor getting peed on. The Macy’s Day Parade on the other hand, well that is doable.
In 2005, I had a childhood friend that was going to school in the NYC area and I few down to see her, spend some time in the big city and to check out the parade! I think we were both pretty excited. The night before the parade, we stayed with a friend of hers in the Bronx. This wasn’t my first trip to NYC, it was my first trip to this borough.
Thanksgiving morning, we woke up early and headed down to Manhattan to grab our spot, via the subway of course. We arrived early, it wasn’t packed but there were people there. We ended up right around the corner from the front of the Macy’s building, two rows back from the gate on the side of the street, next to a man who was blocking small children from seeing the parade. Karma will come back to get ya buddy. If you had access to a building – those were the prime viewing spots!
The parade, awesome. The floats, the hot air balloons, just like you see on TV. The only quirk, they wouldn’t perform when they were in front of us. I’m not sure if it was because we were relatively close (within 3 blocks) from Macy’s or if they just didn’t perform during the parade until they were on stage? A few did, most didn’t. Ah well – I still got to see Garfield and some celebrities. Here are some pictures.
Celebrities:

Rhianna, Natasha Bedingfield and Carrie Underwood.

Hot Air Balloons!
Bands, floats and more!
AH Giant heads!
LOVE the turkey! Gobble, Gobble!
YeeHaw!
Loved this jungle float! Look at all the details!
NYPD
Even though Ronald McDonald has always kind of freaked me out – who wouldn’t want to drive one of these two cars?!
After the parade, we walked around the city and tried to take it all in. That will have to be in another post.

 
May we all be thankful for the people in our lives, what we have been blessed to have over the past year and what is to come.
Happy Thanksgiving Ya’ll!