I just wanted to let everyone know that we'll be leaving on Saturday for NYC..and will return on Thursday...our first trip to NYC and we're really excited about it...so, in case anyone might wonder where I am, I'm gone..LOL!!! Might be able to check emails a few times or the message board, but we're going to try to fit everything we really want to do into just 5 days..so it will be a busy trip!!!

I'll miss you guys while I'm gone...take care of each other!!!
Becky

Have a great time in NYC. I live about 6 hours from there and have never been there. I told Rick that is someplace I would love to go to this year. I guess we just always either head to South Carolina or for a weekend get away we head to lovely Canada I want to go to NYC in November and go to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller center. Are you going to a Broadway show? I can't wait to hear about your trip. Have safe travels.
Laura

Have a great trip Becky, . I have been all over this country and never made it to N.Y.C. When I was married to my kids Dad ,we camped in a lot of places out East but he would never drive into the big cities. I have been all around N.Y.C. , Boston, D.C.many others and all over upstate N.Y. Still hope someday to get back East. I love New England.

Have a nice trip Becky. You already know I want details for my future plans

Thanks everyone!!! I just didn't want anyone asking..where is Becky??? LOL!!! Laura, yes we are taking Maegan to see 'Beauty & The Beast' on Sunday..a matinee show. And since it will be Father's Day, I'm supposing we will pick a nice restaurant and take Bruce out to eat...honestly, he's going to have to change his b'day because having his b'day in June and Father's Day in June is just too much..!!! He gets the big head from all the attention...Haha..just kidding, Bruce!!! We have purchased tickets ahead of time for the Empire State Building and for Ellis Island...and we have a load of other attractions that we would like to see, so we'll just have to see what all we can 'fit' into 5 days!!! As promised, a full report when I return, Pam!!!

Have a safe trip Beka! Don't be too busy - enjoy everything.

Have a fun time in the Big Apple on your vacation! Looking forward to hearing all about it when you return.

Becky,
Have a safe trip. I'm sure it will be interesting and I hope a lot of fun for you. NYC is much different than Nashville. I think you will love Beauty and the Beast, especially Maegan. Some of those shows are just magical for the young children. Try not to stare at the skyscrapers too much it makes you dizzy, and everyone will know you are tourists. I'm anxious to hear what you guys think of the Big Apple.

Becky, with trips to Nashville and Vince concerts...do you ever unpack???? What a nice treat for you guys to take a vacation in NY City and good job on the "Beauty" tickets, know you guys will enjoy that one. I only live an hour away, but have only been there a couple of times. Just don't do what I did the 1st time. We walked everywhere because when we saw how those cabbies drove...scared us to death *L*. Anyway, walking down one street a guy came up and said "you have change for a $10?" I told him "no, we only had 20's!!!!!" John told me after he left that we were lucky we had "those 20's still with us *L*." I was young and naive, what can I say????

Have a great trip and we'll miss you here.

Trish

Trish,
You have brought back memories for me of my visits to the Big Apple. Back in the 1980's we took my brother to NYC for his first visit. We had just arrived, and someone came up to us and tried to sell us drugs, and my brother said, "I want to go home". My brother was an adult at the time, but the overall atmosphere is intimidating at times. Also, right after Ryan was born, we went up to see Cats, and have dinner with my sister-in-law, and we also made the mistake of taking a cab. Oh my goodness!!! I was so frightened. I couldn't wait to get out of that cab. They go so fast, and in and out of lanes. I was there with my in-laws a different time, and we were second in line to get tickets to a show, and some guy ran up, put his hand in the window, and just ran off with the money that the customer in front of us had out.

Having said all that, I do have to admit that when we visited last summer, I found a much different atmosphere, and felt much safer than I had in the past. It did seem to be a safer place.

Well we survived the flight and our first 2 cabs. Very glad I don't have to drive up here.

We got in early enough to check in to the hotel and walk down the street to get something to eat. Found a nice little diner ( Morning Star ) has maybe 20 tables and seems to serve the locals. Had good food at what I've been told is very reasonable prices for NY. Was not like you would find in Alabama but was very good.

After that we decided to go on to the Empire State Building (ESB). So our first taxi. Resisted the urge to kiss the ground when we got out of the taxi. The view from the Empire State Building is awesome. No real way to describe it. Glad we did it, but a lot of waiting in lines, even though we bypassed about a third of the line by buying tickets online before we left home. In all took about 4 hours to see the ESB.

Left the ESB and walk a few blocks. Found a small diner and the three of us shared a couple of pieces of dessert. Then the second taxi back to the hotel to collapse into bed.

Trish. I know it seems like we travel all the time. 10 years ago in the space of a week, I almost lost Becky 3 times and Maegan once. Spent 12 days sleeping at the hospital until they were both well enough that I felt comfortable to leave. I made the decision then that I would never look back and regret not having done something. Was reinforced when my dad retired and had just started doing some of the traveling he had always dreamed of doing. Three years later he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He never made the trip he had dreamed of all those years to Alaska. So I work hard and plan very carefully. I can usually find ways to make the trips for way less than you would think. The internet has made it much easier to find bargains.

Bruce


Oops. I forgot Becky was the last one to sign on to the boards. Last post was from me not Becky.

Bruce

Becky & Bruce,

Glad y'all made the trip to NYC ok. Hope you have a blast while you are there. It is a place everyone should go at least once!

Becky and Bruce,
I think anyone who is not a New Yorker would completely understand if you did kiss the ground when you emerge unscathed from a New York City cab ride!! Have a nice time, it's hot today, I'm sure because it going into the 90's where I live.

Mary Lou, glad to know I wasn't imagining those NY things *L*. We went back in 1971 when our youngest was a baby and it was just for 2 nights. We saw Exorcist and Sting, most popular movies out at the time. We were too young and poor to go to a Broadway show and stayed at one of the oldest hotels up there. I remember we were on the 27th floor and the cars in the street looked like toys...too high.

Bruce, go ahead..kiss the ground for all of us *LOL*!!!! You definetely have the right idea about going ahead and living life to it's fullest. You know John and I just can't travel comfortably anymore, maybe an overnight stay and driving distance to home for any medical emergencies and I totally applaud your attitude. When we were young and struggling and working 24/7, we couldn't wait to think about retirement and all we wanted to do and then we had that big ol' curve ball thrown at us. It's stopped us many times and slowed us down a lot, but we keep on pushing in our own way, too. And just how many people "DON'T" stop and smell the roses! So, you travelin' fools just keep it up and I will enjoy hearing details on wherever you go.

Trish

Becky & Bruce,

Glad you survived your 1st day. That's my territtory sort to speak. I was born in Manhattan but lived on Long Island most of my growing up. I worked down north of Wall St for 16 years. But the whole NYC experience can be kind of overwhelming some time. Never did get to see a broadway show but made it to Lincoln Center alot, it just was easier to take the train & subway there than to figure out to get to those broadway theatres and the prices were too much.

I have been watching the US Open and it looks like you got nice weather yesterday, mid 70's, but they are saying it's very hot today. Real humid weather. Try to keep cool, guys. Have fun.

Joan

Glad to hear y'all made it there and got through the 2 taxi rides. I have heard stories.

The way I see it is go when you can. My husband and I had planned to go to Hawaii in 1985. He passed away in 1984.

I did eventually get to 2 of the islands and as soon as I can quite working (hopefully at the end of the season here , that would be not quit a year)I am going back and cruise the islands.

Wonder if Vince has ever done a concert in Hawaii. That would get me there sooner.

Becky and Bruce, you have a wonderful time and be looking forward to reading all about it.

Trish,
When my husband and I went to NYC to see Cats, and I left my little boy with my in laws, that cab ride was so frightening. I even remember what I was wearing, and kept telling my husband, "make him slow down"! That was how much of an impression that ride made on me. LOL, and that was way back in l984

Have Passport, Will Travel!!!!!!..........lol....

I love NY....

I love Montreal.....

Diversity, Culture, Sights, Sounds, Smells,SHOPPING!!!!!!!!

Joan, speaking of the US Open, I was sitting there this morning reading the paper and I said to hubby "was that Vince?" He said "yes" as it was so quick and I hadn't been looking at the TV, but I heard that voice say "get out and golf, America!!!!" John was just shaking his head at me for picking up on Vince's voice, while reading the paper *L*.

Trish

Hey Becky and Bruce,Now you guys are just having to much fun . Not posting your trip ??????????? I know you are lovin' every minute of it. Enjoy. Just miss you.

Trish, you were lucky you got to see that ad. I think they only showed it in certain markets because I never saw it. But I have heard from several people that both Vince & Amy were in it. Maybe some time they will show it out here in San Diego.

Joan

Joan, maybe they will as it's obvious that they would probably use it again...commercials aren't cheap to make...even quick ones like that *L*.

Trish

Becky, Bruce i'm happy for you both that you are having fun in NYC,
A few yrs ago my husbandand I went up there just had a beautiful time my brother lived therehe was a NY cop And that is quite a place to be a cop , enjoy your trip.
love ya, Shirl in PA.
Lady Gill---- Loves VInce

Becky & Bruce, Hope you are having a great time on your trip.

Hey everyone!!!
We got home about 9pm last night...was fun to read all of the info that everyone has posted about NYC while we've been gone!!! We had alot of fun, packed alot of site-seeing in our 5 days there and now, I'm exhausted..and Bruce had to get up and go back to work this morning...I'm doing laundry and unpacking today...yep, I do unpack sometimes..LOL!!!

Just as soon as I can catch my breath, I will post a message about what all we did while we were there...speaking of NYC cabs and driving in/around NYC, we did only see 1 accident involving 3 cars when we left yesterday morning...and none of the 3 cars involved was a cab!!! Looked like a nasty accident, but don't think anyone was hurt..just cars bashed up pretty good...

I should have kept a journal of everything, but I think I can put together a pretty good review of our trip to NYC...and you know what bothered me more than the cab riding??? The shuttle bus trip from Laguardia airport to our hotel when we first arrived!!! I guess, by the time we left, I was getting used to the riding...we also rode the subway a few times...if/when we ever go back to NYC, we will purchase a Metro card and take the subway to different places...a $2 each subway trip sure beats a $15 one way ride from your hotel to Battery Park anyday!!! Another thing I must remember..if you think you have brought enough money for NYC, bring more...LOL!!! I promise more info soon!!! I have more laundry to do!!!

Becky,
Glad you, Bruce and Maegan are back home safely from NYC safely. That is the "odd" thing. You hear so much about NYC cab rides, but you never do hear much about them being in accidents. I guess they get pretty good at driving like that!

Welcome home, guys and anxious to hear all the "other" stuff you did *L*. Too funny about the money.

Trish

Becky,

Too bad you didn't catch the CBS News story about the cabbie who gives free cab rides! He said he makes up for the free fares in tips...his customers are good tippers.