Long Slog to Buffalo

Another early start as we had a long way to go. After leaving our motel where there was no breakfast, we stopped to get coffee-to-go, at a Starbucks and then began our drive to Buffalo. Neither Alan nor George wanted to drive the whole way on the motorway, for then we would see little of the American way of life. So it was that we followed Route 20 out of Albany.

Today for most of the morning and early afternoon it was a bit like yesterday, lots of stop and go to take photos.

Then when Alan's stomach began to rumble we stopped for brunch at a diner.

They had a large collection of mincers as you can see.

We had today's special which was listed as two rounds of French Toast, two sausages, which were really hamburger patties and two fried eggs with coffee, though George had hot chocolate, which was the better option as the coffee was weak American mud.

Without much ado it was on again. We all found the chosen route fascinating and worth the effort. The sun came out and it was nice and warm, though a bit windy. After another couple of hours on the road it was time for another stop.

Alan found the saying that describes his feelings exactly and so we had an ice cream each.

Around 1500hrs the clouds began to form ahead and so a decision was made to head for the motorway to make up time.The best of the countryside was now behind us and from here on it was pretty flat.

We stopped one more time on the motorway and called ahead to "Oma's Guesthouse" and got directions of the way. Most of the way to Buffalo, Alan had been wanting to stop at houses that had Halloween decorations out. Some had just pumpkins, but others had ghost and ghouls too. Imagine his surprise when we drew up outside "Oma's"!

Oma originally came from Nurnberg, though sadly she is no longer with us, but the son, Karl, speaks German and is the biker!

So here we are, living in the house of true Americans,who are extremely friendly and who clearly like to celebrate Halloween.

Following the Revolution trail.

Our day started on Thursday early as we had a fair way to go and lots to see. Getting out of Boston was OK and we soon found the route we wanted to get to Lexington. This is where the American Revolution started and where the first shots were exchanged between the Regular English Troops and the American Militia or Minute Men, who in reality were all farmers.

The monument in Lexington

We found the town quite quaint and it had much of the 18th century charm with its buildings and monuments. One has to say that the Americans take great pride in their short history and sometimes lay it on a bit thick. 

When Alan found a shop named after George's wife he just had to take a photograph of it too. On the other side of the street was a nice little coffee shop where even us bears were allowed to sit and enjoy the view out the window.

From here we followed the trail to Concord where:

                                                                                             

                                               By the road bridge that arched the flood,                                                             

Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood,

And fired the shot heard round the World.

We also visited the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where the author of the poem, The Concord Hymn, Thomas Waldo Emerson is buried.

Then it was off into the wild blue yonder to follow the Mohawk Trail to Buffalo.

On the way we passed the birthplace of John Chapman, otherwise known as Johnny Appleseed, so we stopped and had a free apple.

The journey from here on was stop and go as there were lots of nice views to photograph, not always easy as the roads were not meant to be stopped on!!

The last few views were taken from a restaurant where we stopped to watch the sunset and have our evening meal. 

Then it was on into the dark to Albany.

Here in the Red Roof Motel we lay down our weary head for the night.

Rain stopped play!

The first disappointment of the day was breakfast. The advertising had said "continental" style breakfast, but it had failed to mention that there was no dinning room. That one had to make it oneself and then serve it on paper cups and plates. The bagels and buns came frozen and had to be warmed up in the microwave, the coffee was typical american thin mud, but at least there was cold orange juice.

The second disappointment of the day was rain, rain and more rain. Alan and George left us behind, which perhaps was the kind thing to do, considering the poor weather. They took the tram/subway into town as it stopped more or less outside the boarding house. 

When they got there the light drizzle had stopped and so they walked around Boston Common taking pictures on the way to the  State House. 

Skyscrapers in the clouds

One should have known that with statues like this, Boston must be a wet place!

They wanted to follow the Freedom Trail around town which takes one past houses and monuments to the American Revolution. One can have a guided tour, on foot, led by a person dressed in the costume of the time. One has to say the Americans take pride in their history and seem to present it well. They are a young nation after all, when compared to Germany or England.

They went into the State House which is the seat of the Massachusetts Government. It was an interesting building and Alan and George had to have their bag checked. The building is deceptive as it has many different levels and one cannot easily get from one to the other unless one knows the way.

George giving his inauguration speech!

When Alan and George had had enough, they found it was chucking it down outside. Not really walking weather for tourists, better weather for ducks and frogs. Since the next house along the trail was a church which was closed, Alan and George decided that discretion is the better side of valour and decamped to a Starbucks coffee house.

Since the rain did not let up they then walked to the Faneuil Hall Market Place, which looked like a fun place to be in the rain. Hundreds of others decided the same, so yes it might be fun, but not when it is crowded with wet and steaming tourists. At one stage one of the halls had to be evacuated as the alarms had gone off!  Alan bought some souvenirs there and then they walked on to the harbour.

It was raining cats and dogs now, so again they decamped, this time to a smart restaurant know as the Chart House on Long Wharf.

Lobster stuffed Scud

The cats and dogs were still there when they came out and so the day was abandoned in favour of shopping. Alan persuaded George that "Levi" jeans at $36,99 were a bargain compared to German prices and so he bought himself a pair. Then it was back in the tram/subway to the boarding house. At least they had had an impression of Boston in the rain. The people are very different to those in New York, as is the city atmosphere. 

Let's hope tomorrow will be a better day weather wise, for taking pictures in the pouring rain is no fun and often not possible.

Sad Farewell

Brec and Sandy

On Tuesday we had to say farewell to Brec and Sandy as we were off to Boston. Alan and George were up early, even before the rest of the house. Maybe it was the excitement for the forthcoming adventure and the fact that they were to take off into the wild blue yonder! Anyway after a quick breakfast and last chat with their hosts, it was time to load the car and head out.  Better hosts one can not have as these two lovely people, but with promises to come and stay in Germany part we did.

Brec took us all to the airport in New Haven where we were to collect a hire car. On the way he showed us Yale University which was a very beautiful and traditional "old English" style complex. It could have been in Oxford of Cambridge. When we got to the airport, around 1100hrs, we were  told that they were not expecting us until 1400hrs!!! Alan and George unloaded the car to allow Brec to get on with his life, though Brec offered to take them on a short tour instead. 

No sooner had they done this then they were told a car was available and so after the formalities were concluded we were off on our adventure. 

The day was grey and overcast, but not the mood in the car. George drove and Alan navigated and so it was that we took the first of a few wrong turns. Eventually we got on the right road and it was fairly easy driving as there was not much traffic. A stop was made for lunch along the way.

Alan's lunch

George's lunch

It started to drizzle a bit on the way after lunch and we all hoped it would rain itself out before the next day. When we got to Boston, again we took a wrong turning and went round the houses for a bit until we found ourselves on the map, then it was straight forward.

Our boarding house, called Beacon Inn at 1750 Beacon Street, there is another with the same name at 1860 Beacon Street, was an old large residence. Our room was immediately off the reception area, which is really the entrance hall to the old house. The room was large with two huge beds.

Us on Alan's bed.

The beds were comfortable and the shower room was also OK. Alan set about doing some washing and then they went out for a meal. It was now much colder and it felt like real autumn. Just goes to show how spoilt we were when in Milford. Let's hope Wednesday brings back the sunshine.

A perfect two days for all.

After being left out of the fun for a day we were thankfully included when Alan and George went to do their tourist bit in New York! 

Brec took us all to Milford station where we got on the 0859hrs train to Grand Central Terminal on the Sunday and Sandy took us on the Monday. Both journeys were uneventful, but interesting as we saw the countryside on the way in. Once again it was a perfect summer sunny day with clear blue skies on the Sunday. By Monday it was still warm, but mainly overcast. 

Grand Central is a place one just has to put on one's "Bucket List" of things to have seen before one croaks. It is the station to beat all stations. We know, we've seen a few, but this one is special. Not only does it have lots of platforms, called Tracks here, but it is on a number of levels and all done in beautiful marble. The marble we now know is Tennessee Marble and is described as being a pinkish grey colour. On the lower levels are food halls, shoe shine boys, and musicians entertaining the passengers on their way to goodness knows where. The main concourse has a huge concave ceiling with a beautiful blue roof depicting the stars from Aquarius to Cancer.

Alan and George passed on down to the Subway levels and took an underground train to a place called Bowling Green so that they could get on the Ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It must be said for those coming after us, OAPs are called "Seniors" here and they start at 62 and can travel and gain entry at reduced rates.

Now began the fun that Alan hates and George is not too fond of either. It being a Sunday hundreds, if not thousands of other people had the same idea. Since 9/11 security is tight so we had to queue for quite a bit in a snaking line of people at first in the brilliant sunshine than in the hall where airport type security checks were done. Once through one had to wait for a ferry to come and disgorge its homeward passengers before we could embark.

The view looking back on the way to the Statue.

 The view looking back as we sailed for the Statute of Liberty was really good, but as you can see from the returning ferry, the ferries were crowded.

We all walked around the island and Alan took some photos. Then finally as proof we were there, he found a little chap to hold us up to be photographed.

Before he gave us back to our BBF he gave us a nice big cuddle which we enjoyed I can tell you, for we do not get many of those now a days.

After Ellis Island we all returned to Manhattan where we went first to a Deli for lunch, and then on to Ground Zero to look at that huge monument to "man's inhumanity to man."

Back on the Subway to went to Brooklyn where Alan took  pictures of the skyline and the sunset.

Alan and George had a beer in a beach bar before returning to Grand Central and home, tired but happy.

The next day saw us all up early again for the next session. Being a work day the train was not as crowded, but the streets when we got there were just as crowded as Sunday.

We walked up Park Avenue, down Fifth Avenue, took a look at the Empire State but didn't go up it. When we got to the Rockefeller Centre we did. The views were something special as we hope you can see from the few pics Alan has let us post.

St Patrick's Cathedral

The Empire State

Once back down Alan went into the Cathedral and lit a candle and said a prayer for Hanna as today was a special anniversary for them.

They then took a taxi to Times Square and walked round it taking photos of the crazies who were there as well as the lights.

The Naked Cowboy

More crazies

Not one of the crazies, but George.

Look closely and you'll see Spiderman and Ironman!

We're just having a good time.

Spongebob and Catwoman

We then walked to Central park via Carnegie Hall.

The green lung of New York, known as Central Park

And last but not least we explored the Apple Store in the Big Apple and then headed for home and a last meal with out hosts. A better time is difficult to imagine at the moment.