US Road Trip: Happy Trails through Boston and New York

Our tours of Boston and New York were (insert appropriate adjective here, because I am out of them).

In Boston, we toured by one of our favorite choices, walking tours. We chose a Historical Society centered in the heart of Boston at the Boston Commons. The young woman who was our tour guide captured what I love seeing in teachers actually. She was passionate about what she was "teaching". She shared with us many intimate stories that captured real experiences in extraordinary times. Her character she represented, for example, was a playwright who wrote plays about women suffrage (not a favorite topic of the day, but how visionary!). We went through all of historic Boston with her. A highpoint was the graveyard in which Paul Revere and Patrick Henry were buried to name two. It was just amazing to be in a city where those early founders were willing to risk everything to bring about our country. Had they failed they would have been tried and executed as traitors, not only affecting themselves but their families. Amazing, truly.

On to New York! We chose an RV campground that allowed for easy access to the city. Liberty Harbor RV Park. The Park was nothing to write home about, so won't describe it here:) what it did have going for it was incredible access to the city! A short ferry trip put us right at the heart of World Trade Center, which was in the Battery Park Section of Lower Manhatten. We were very impressed with this area, maybe in part because of its easy access! That said, this is where we went on an incredible bike ride along the Hudson River Park ( miles of bike and pedestrian paths) We rode this trail along the waterfront until we literally could not ride any further. We turned around and came back. As is our habit, when we got hungry we turned to "OK, Google now" we needed a restaurant that would accept Bailey, our dog. We ended up walking up several blocks to 8th Avenue on which we found "Pounds and Ounces". Good food and good beer. This actually captured many of our experiences. We didn't really focus on the "have to see tourist attractions". Rather we went for the experience and just let our feet carry us where they would. We explored neighborhoods.

Another huge find was that our first day, when looking for a Bailey friendly experience we found Z leisure and travel, Art and Susan Zuckerman. They have a radio show every Monday. They do tours all over New York, they teach classes as adjunct faculty. They were open when I called and took us on a private tour of the city...because they liked us because we were "dog people". Six hours, 100 dollars. Amazing. They were full of information. Took us to Brooklyn Promenade and again all kinds of places that no one else would know about.

Finally we went to the Theatre. We took the subway to downtown New York to go to dinner at Cara Mia's, a fantastic neighborhood Italian restaurant that offered personalized dishes. Steve had clam/fish linguini. I had sea bass with grilled vegetables. We then went to Eugene Oneill theatre to see "Book of Mormon" an irreverent musical that is sure to offend and entertain everyone.

On to Washington, DC!