Big City

In a little while my son, granddaughter and I are heading to New York City. My granddaughter has no idea where we're going, only that we're doing something fun. It's 8:30 and I'm the only one up; I had hoped to be on the road by now! I've been awake since about 5:30, messing around on Facebook and telepathically trying to wake the others. I know they have to get up early for school and work, and on a special day off might want a little more sleep. Still, it's a big city and there's a lot to do. We're spending tonight in a semi-ritzy hotel and then driving back tomorrow.

I'm usually very patient, but time is slipping away. From here, the trip will take about three and a half hours. We can't check in until 3:00, but I was hoping to get more sightseeing time in today. We don't have a solid plan, but I want to go to Little Italy, Central Park, and the revolving restaurant at the top of the Times Square Marriott. Apart from that, I'll leave it all up to my son and granddaughter. My last trip was nearly twenty years ago, and while I doubt much has changed, I don't remember all the cool stuff there is to do. We'll probably ride the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty; my granddaughter has never been to New York City, and I'm sure she'll want to do that. My son was saying last night that he wants to plan more activities for the time we're there. My thought is that if I were a ten-year-old kid visiting New York for the first time, it wouldn't make much difference what I did. Just the experience of all the sights and sounds would be enough.

Ah! I hear footsteps. Our journey begins.