Waiting for our flight to Savannah, GA...
Someone's excited for the Airplanes
27 Feb 2014 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
Saw some bison, waterfalls and lots of snow along the way
28 Feb 2014 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming skiing one of the top resorts in the world
NBD
Merry Christmas & A Joyful New Year!
2013 was a banner year! In March, we embarked on our greatest adventure yet….parenthood. We’ve had so much fun watching our rookie try new things, explore new places, and celebrate his first holidays. John is truly a blessing, and he brings so much joy to our lives every day.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Joyful 2014!
Love, Joseph, Kate and John
Pre-Holiday NYC Roadtrip 2013
Boston, you’re our home, but NYC you’re okay. For several years, we said we hated NYC. It was too busy, too big, too crowded, too cold, we never had good luck there…there was always a reason why we disliked it. Well, Big Apple, you’ve finally redeemed yourself. Our pre-holiday visit (Sunday-Tuesday before Thanksgiving) couldn’t have been better timed. A weekday visit just before the holiday rush meant no lines, no waiting just about everywhere we went. In fact, we already want to come back!
Highlights:
New York Public Library (42nd/5th)
Perfect spot to warm up on a cold day! John had a fun time at Baby Storytime. He loved the cushiony, colorful mat to sit/crawl on. The friendly, energetic librarian led the group in songs and rhymes, read a short story, used some puppets, and blew bubbles to open and close the session. (Mondays 11:30-12, ground floor in the Children’s Center, about 25 first come/first serve tickets given out starting at 10:45am, women’s restroom conveniently located right outside the children’s center) Visited a great exhibit upstairs on Children’s Books where we saw some early edition books, and John met the original stuffed Winnie the Pooh and friends. Don’t miss the reading room on the 3rd floor. It’s huge and quite a sight!
Times Square
· A walk thru Times Square…always busy, lots to look at. Beware the characters outside Toys R Us who try to jump in your pictures and ask for money.
· A walk down 5th Ave. even in the cold
Herald Square
Perfect time to visit just before the Thanksgiving Day parade where the star logo was freshly painted and crews were starting to set up priority seating and equipment. Great spot to take pictures with the Empire State Building, too. Bet not too many people can say they had Santaland (on the 8th floor of Macy’s) all to themselves. What a cool place without the crowds! Free entrance since they hope you’ll buy your child’s photo with Santa for $19.99 and up. John was completely freaked out by Santa and screamed even when Joe and I saw down with him. We couldn’t pass up the photo, though. How many kids can say that the first time they met Santa was in Herald’s Square?!
9-11 Memorial:
Having visited the original memorial over 10 years ago when it was just a ramp over the empty site and flowers, pictures and messages on the fence of a nearby church, I've watched this site evolve. Very nicely done…just wish we didn’t have to explain that horrible day and the need for this site to John someday. One thing in particular that struck me was the number of pregnant women whose names were on the memorial as so and so and her unborn child…It’s terrible enough that so many people lost their lives that day never mind all the babies who never even got the opportunity to explore the world like John is doing. (Timed tickets can be obtained ahead of time online for $2, free of charge on site at the ticket office on Vessey St. or by waiting in line at the memorial entrance. Stollers are allowed, airport-style security checkpoint)
Brooklyn Bridge
· Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge: Definitely worth doing, but I think I like this walk better during the day when it’s not nearly as cold. Only problem was that the subway and places to eat are a good ways beyond the end of the bridge in Brooklyn. We probably wouldn’t have cared if we hadn’t walked from the 9-11 Memorial here…doable, just long on an empty stomach!
Statue of Liberty
After lots of visits to NYC, we finally made it here and enjoyed our visit despite the rain. Lots of travel tips here: Book tickets online well ahead of time so you get the time and date you want. We waited too long to book and had to drive to Liberty Park in NJ to get tickets. Whatever money we saved in subway fares we made up for in tolls in the Holland Tunnel and parking $7. It costs the same price for access to the pedestal or just the grounds of Liberty Island so it makes sense to try for the pedestal. Plan an early ferry and full day if you want to see both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We took the only pedestal tickets left for a 1:00 boat (which arrived at the Statue around 2), felt a bit rushed on Liberty Island and still didn’t make it on the last boat to Ellis Island at 3:30pm. (NJ boats go to Ellis first, NYC boats go straight to Statue) Allow extra time at the ferry terminal and pedestal/crown access for airport-style security. We had to take John and everything else out of the stroller at the ferry terminal. Ranger Tours are on the hr, and free audio tours are available, but we didn’t have a chance to do either. We did stroll through the Museum exhibit inside the pedestal and I can now say I successfully carried John up 195 steps up the pedestal! There was an elevator, but I just couldn’t let myself do that! Guess we’ll have to come back for the crown when John turns 6. Kids under 6 are not allowed. If we had been more prepared, we would have packed sandwiches to eat on Liberty Island. Food was available but it would have been nice to bring our own snacks.
Food
Hot Chocolate Taste Test: City Bakery vs Grom
VS 
VS 
Both are worth a try, super rich since they are made with melted chocolate instead of powder, and cost around $5 each. The winner…Grom hands down. The chocolate was absolutely delicious, at just the right temperature, and topped with whipped cream. City Bakery had a funny aftertaste, was only lukewarm, and didn’t have any toppings. Definitely get gelato at Grom, too. Their ciocolatto fondente and caffe are my favorite of all the gelato I’ve tried in Italy. We make sure we visit their stores wherever we can find them in our travels. I like that Grom uses natural ingredients and recycles. Skip the food at City Bakery. It’s expensive and nothing special.
Roccos Pasticceria
A family run Italian bakery on Bleeker St. Canolli was okay, but not fresh filled. Peanut butter cookie was pretty soft and good for an Italian bakery. Oreo marshmallow was too dry. Not sure they can compete with Modern at home.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
A cheap option as far as NYC dining options good. Thin, coal fired regular pizza (with mozzarella and basil) hit the spot. Pizzeria Regina is still better, though! Also, no alcohol here…at least not at the one near the Brooklyn Bridge
Eataly
Picture Ikea marketplace meets a cafeteria. The place is divided into several sections including a café, a bar area for apertivo, pizza/pasta restaurant, veggie area, fish area, and a few reservation only restaurants with shelves of imported and not food andcooking supplies mixed in. We didn’t want to wait an hr for the pasta area (first come, first serve) so we ate at Le Verdere. Tried the farrata with broccoli (like risotto, but made with faro) and the semonlina gnocchi with broccoli rabe that looked more like polenta than pasta. Both were tasty, but overpriced ($18-20 each) and felt a bit mass produced, esp. with the speed that they arrived at our table. Got a few complinentary slices of fresh bread and oil before the meal. Would skip the bruschetta. $12 for two thin slices of bread topped with some cheese and tomatoes seems stingy. Definitely wouldn’t rush back here.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Manhattan/United Nations (E43rd): We couldn’t have picked a better hotel for our stay. Very clean, friendly staff, great location…just a 5 min. walk to Grand Central. Parking was available at a nearby garage ($28 per day + extra $13 for SUVs for Hampton Inn guests). On street parking is free 7PM-7AM if you arrive at night like we did and want to save a few dollars. Glad we sprung for the room with the double beds. We had just enough room to move around all our stuff and John’s pack n play. Breakfast was included and at least gave us some energy to jump start our day even if was not the best hotel buffet we’ve ever had. Decent variety…eggs, sausage or bacon, waffle station, cereal, oatmeal, fruit, bagels, toast, English muffins, pastries, juice and coffee. Only complaint we had was the heating system. We couldn’t seem to figure out how to keep the room at a good temperature. The room also didn’t have a mini fridge. However the front desk was very accommodating and checked our cooler in the hotel fridge to store John’s milk. Overall we had a great stay and would certainly come back!
Unfinished Business: climb up the crown of the Statue of Liberty when John is old enough, visit Ellis Island when it is fully open, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade someday, a return visit to Santaland at this exact time of year when John is a little older, cupcake taste test, more bakery visits, trip up the Empire State Building, a visit to the 9-11 Memorial Museum when it opens, NBC Studio Tour when John is old enough (6 and up), see a show on Broadway, visit the Bronx Zoo, pick up Neuhaus Chocolates at Grand Central
Hobboken, NJ Side trip
Lisa’s Deli
An old school Italian deli on Park St. in downtown Hoboken. Order something with the homemade mozzarella…it’s delicious! Not much room to sit, but a great take out option.
Carlo’s Bakery
We really hit the Cake Boss’ shop at the right time. No line and we even found parking out front. Fresh filled cannoli was pretty good, same with the lobster tails. Think we’re still partial to Modern, though!
Final Trip GPS Details
Boston->Scranton, PA->Lewisburg, PA->Scranton, PA->New York City,NY->Boston, MA
Peaceful Reflections of 2012
For those iPhone/iPad users that can't view the slideshow, click here for a link to the web album Peaceful Reflections of 2012
Merry Christmas & a Peaceful New Year from Kate & Joseph!
Peace in nature’s beauty...Peace in spiritual places...Peace in our hearts and minds…
Peace in previously war-torn countries...and even
Peace amid the site of one of humanity’s worst tragedies.
As we get ready to ring in the new year, we hope you find peace and happiness in your lives wherever you go.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love, Kate & Joseph
15 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
After three days (2 of which with 7 plus hours of driving) we finally returned to old faithful... Montegalda, Italy
After a great dinner we took a relaxing walk through town to relax and a quick pick outside the local church...anything strange about that bell tower?
After a great dinner we took a relaxing walk through town to relax and a quick pick outside the local church...anything strange about that bell tower?
14 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Took a detour on our return trip from Croatia to Italy to stop in Beautiful Slovenia... Needless to say this little secret of ours ( and Europeans) is getting let out to all of America...
Posing with last months issue of Travel & Leisure Magazine.
Took a detour on our return trip from Croatia to Italy to stop in Beautiful Slovenia... Needless to say this little secret of ours ( and Europeans) is getting let out to all of America...
Posing with last months issue of Travel & Leisure Magazine.
13 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
Today we worked our way into another country... Bosnia & Herzegovina
This hot city of Mostar was a center point of trade for ages and a center point of the war back in 1991. The original bridge was destroyed by Croatian troops but has been rebuilt with the same stones to be an exact replica
This hot city of Mostar was a center point of trade for ages and a center point of the war back in 1991. The original bridge was destroyed by Croatian troops but has been rebuilt with the same stones to be an exact replica
12 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
Today we checked off another country off our list
Montenegro...The Connecticut of the Balkans...fancy in parts...but pretty ugly in others
This picture of a display over the ramparts pretty muchs sums it up
Montenegro...The Connecticut of the Balkans...fancy in parts...but pretty ugly in others
This picture of a display over the ramparts pretty muchs sums it up
And then there were 4...
First there were 2, then 3 then 6...now 4
Today our travel group loses two members who are heading out on a Mediterranean Cruise while the rest continue on the road trip
Enjoy your cruise MK & TK!
Today our travel group loses two members who are heading out on a Mediterranean Cruise while the rest continue on the road trip
Enjoy your cruise MK & TK!
11 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
Dubrovnick, Croatia
Today we took an 8 hour - 18km Adriatic Kayak Tour to a hidden blue cave and a small island for the beach
Tiring but beautiful!
Today we took an 8 hour - 18km Adriatic Kayak Tour to a hidden blue cave and a small island for the beach
Tiring but beautiful!
10 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
The fortress outside the walls of Dubrovnick, Croatia
This walled in city is beautiful and a tourists dream... But too many people make it tough to navigate and enjoy
Still, our experience has been great do far
This walled in city is beautiful and a tourists dream... But too many people make it tough to navigate and enjoy
Still, our experience has been great do far
8 Jul 2012 - "Pick" Pic of the Day
Today we journeyed to the Thermal Baths of Budapest
We chose to try out the Széchenyi Baths located in City Park in Pest.
Full of thermal mineral water and people, this was quite the experience!
We chose to try out the Széchenyi Baths located in City Park in Pest.
Full of thermal mineral water and people, this was quite the experience!
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