Upstate

The day after our thrilling rides on the historic Coney Island "Cyclone" and newer "Thunderbolt", we said farewell to our gracious hosts. Next Stop, Warwick New York. We left through the tunnel to New Jersey so we could drive through Manhattan. We went to liberty state park on our way for a view of Ellis Island and the statue of liberty.

We then headed upstate New York to Warwick. My cousin Rick had just moved there and we were excited to see his new home and meet his Lady. 

We had a wonderful time with them. They have a cute little home in the country they just moved into. It is on about 4 acres, with a pond as well. :) The home was not fully finished inside, so while we were there we helped install some new flooring. It is so nice we are able to help out people along our travels. 

Cricket and her new friends.

 Upstate fall views

    Jonathan and his new friend :)

New York, New York

We were fortunate enough to go to New York!!

Luckily I have family in the area and we were able to stay in Brooklyn.

My Step-brother John showed us all around the city. It was so nice to have an insider perspective of the city. First stop, Central Park.

We visited the John Lennon Memorial where several people were gathered, some even singing.

Then we headed to the heart, Time Square! Talk about hustle and bustle. People everywhere and lights lights lights!

Grand Central Station

9/11 Memorial

New world trade center

in the train tunnels

Coney Island

Last day they were open for the season.

 

Sleeping Giant Trail

In Connecticut we found a trail called Sleeping Giant Trail. It was a 3 mile round trip moderately easy trail. I had beautiful views at the top. 

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a tiny state being only 48 miles by 37 miles, it is easy to explore it in one day. We were heading to Narragansett in the southern part to visit a friend named Amy. She works at a place called the Ocean Mist in Matunuck that we went to as well. It was a fun beach bar that had free bingo and good company. Amy was a great hostess, she showed us some cool places in Rhode Island like the Cliff Walk. It runs behind many of Newport's famous gilded mansions.

Amy's dog Winston and Cricket chillin'

Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. It is an important symbol in American history.

In September 1620, a merchant ship called the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, a port on the southern coast of England. Typically, the Mayflower’s cargo was wine and dry goods, but on this trip the ship carried passengers: 102 of them, all hoping to start a new life on the other side of the Atlantic. Nearly 40 of these passengers were Protestant Separatists–they called themselves “Saints”–who hoped to establish a new church in the New World. Today, we often refer to the colonists who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower as “Pilgrims.”

  

Check out this dog we met. It looked just like Cricket, only it was 120 pounds.

I believe it was an Irish Wolfhound.

Hiking in Massachussets

Great Blue Hill Trail is a 2.3 mile loop trail located near Milton, Massachusetts and is rated as moderate. It was pretty rocky, and a lot of up up up. The views at the top were awesome.