Sunday, April 1

NJ and the Big Apple, Part 1

The Woolworth Building (on the right). At one time, it was the tallest building in NYC.

We left here Wednesday afternoon, with daughter #1, at 3pm, after the plumber worked his magic mojo and stopped the leak under our house. We stopped in DC to spend the night with daughter #2, and continued on Thursday morning to NJ. Our #2 decided to take the train to NYC later in the day, and she was to meet us at the New York Athletic Club about 6 pm.

Daughter #1 has a GP system on her car, and I became a devotee almost immediately. She programmed it to take us to NJ by the quickest route without tolls. We were routed through Pennsylvania Amish country, an area which none of us had ever seen before. I want to go back sometime when we can stop and sight-see! The rolling hills are lovely, and the wide valleys with picturesque farms are quaint and beautiful. We saw some dark red barns, with large round hex signs on them, and silos, and grazing cattle and horses. I would love to see it when the trees are leafed out and flowers are blooming. When we left Raleigh, it was looking like spring had sprung and the farther north we went, the more it appeared to be winter again. Going that route (from DC through Harrisburg and Scranton) put extra miles on the car, but we paid NO tolls and the traffic was light, compared to Rte. 95 (the hellhole).

We arrived in West Orange, NJ at our hotel, the Marriott Residence Inn, and were pleasantly surprised to see that it looked like a fairly luxurious hotel (both inside and out)! Our rooms were spacious and well-appointed, and the stay included a free breakfast. This was a full buffet - not just continental fare - and it was good!

We had to hurry, as mr. kenju had to be at the NYAC by 5:30 pm, for a photo session prior to being inducted (along with his whole team) in his high school basketball hall of fame. His team went undefeated in the 1957-58 season. His brother arrived to drive us into the city and we made it with about 5 minutes to spare, despite the problem of a flat tire. My BIL asked the parking attendant to change the tire for him, and lo and behold when we went back at 11:30 pm to get the car, it had been changed. We were lucky!

Miss kenju (daughter #2) arrived from the train at 6:20pm and we left the NYAC on a quest for half-price tickets to a Broadway Show. Tomorrow, I will tell you all about the show we saw, plus other possibly interesting tidbits about the evening.











17 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I LOVE the read your trip news Judy...Especially because you are writing about places I know...
In about 1951 or 52, I was in The Pocano's and went to visit an old friend from High School in Lancaster, (and it is BEAUTIFUL country, as you said...)...It happened that there was a Country Fair and we went....I bought, among other things some fresh farm made Chedder Cheese. That was 55 or 56 years ago, and I have never forgotten that Cheese and I might add, I have NEVER tasted another one that even came close to the flavor and consistancy of that one.
I dearly hope you can go back in the summertime at some point...You won't be disappointed!

How exciting that Mr. Kemju and his team got inducted there...! Congratulations to him!
Love that picture of The Woolworth Building....And How Smart, to get a Hotel in West Orange, N.J. Quieter I would think and a whole lot cheaper, too for what you can get, yes?

Anxious to read about your Theatre experience, my dear.
And...Michele sent me tonight!

Anonymous said...

What a towering shot. Is Woolworth's still around? What ever happened to the five and dime and the penny candy store?

Anonymous said...

Hope you enjoy your visit in NYC, I am a Native Long Islander, but never spent much time in "The City".

rosemary said...

Well, I am just so jealous...yes, Amish country is beyond lovely and peaceful. My hubby always stays at a Marriott when he travels. Was this a trip for the voting we all did? Will we get to see lots of pictures?

Anonymous said...

I grew up near West Orange and rememer it well.

Congrats on Mr. Kenju and his Hall of Fame induction.

: )

utenzi said...

Uh-oh. I don't think I can handle mentions of Georgetown Basketball quite yet, Judy. LOL It's still way too emotional!

As for your comment on my blog, I need to do the mowing. It's the only serious exercise that I get. Each week in the grass growing season I get the equivalent of a dozen miles of walking plus the upper body benefit of pushing 50 pounds of metal all over the place. Of coure there are hot days when I think it's all a big mistake...

Joared said...

Enjoy hearing about your trip and the recognition your husband received for being part of that winning team.

Am familiar with the Amish countryside which is so well kept, though many years have passed since my experiences. There are also a number of Amish in Ohio and a breakaway group less restrictive in their beliefs known as the Mennonites. They certainly are adept with traditional foods, dairy and krafts.

I share your appreciation for the Marriotts as have always been pleased with the accommodations and amenities they offer.

Anonymous said...

A great shot! Sounds like a great trip too!

Bobkat said...

The Amish country sounds beautiful from your description.

It sounds like you are having a wonderful trip adn I am looking forward to hearing about your Broadway show.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to hear more about THIS adventure. That's an impressive award. The NCAA has been doing Hall of Fame stuff all week here- I got Bill Russell's autograph. Now, if I just had Mr. Kenju's...

Kristi said...

Oh cool! I can't wait to read about what show you saw. I am a big theatre buff, and I *heart* NYC like nobody's business. Update soon, please!

Chancy said...

Thanks for sharing news and photos of your great trip.

Carolyn said...

So this trip was for Mr. Kenju- cool! I've been to NJ a lot, but hubby never took me to NYC.

If you go home via Amish country, you gotta stop and get some fudge and a shoe-fly pie! You won't regret it. Careful of photos though, some Amish clans don't believe in modern things and get upset if you photograph them.

Anna said...

You know that I am loving the lines Judy! I am so glad that you are back and that you had a good time... :)

brendalove@gmail.com said...

This is awful but I wonder if anyone ever jumped off that building? It gives me the willys to even imagine it!

Unknown said...

As a kid, we went to Pennsylvania every summer to visit relatives. We always spent a day in Amish country. Even back then I enjoyed it. We have one about an hour from where we live now which we try to visit every couple of months.

srp said...

If you go back to Lancaster someday be sure to check out the theater productions in the area. I don't remember the name of the theater but they have a huge one where most of the year they put on the story of Noah. It is fabulous... you feel as if you are on the ark. The crafts there are outstanding as well.