Ok, so we made to NYC and back home. Sorry I didn't get to post while there, I guess it would have been more exciting reading, however I did post my pics on facebook from along the adventure. We had an absolutely awesome time. We decided as a family that a trip to NYC every two years wouldn't be so bad.
So here's how it went. We stopped and ate one last country cooked meal at Cracker Barrell in New Jersey, yep, they had a Cracker Barrell in New Jersey. Sweet tea was horrible though, think it was instant. We hit Newark right at rush hour, and now I know why the term "rush" is used. These cars were flying! Forget about having time to read the 12 overhead signs every 100 yards indicating what lane to get into. Jamie drove and I navigated. As fast as we were going I did not have time to read those lane signs, thank God for prayers and my iphone GPS. We made it off of the main interstate into Jersey City, and found a room at an awesome new hotel, Comfort Suites. Before we went to our hotel we droved to the Statue of Liberty Park, because I wanted to see her in the dark. She stood so tall and majestic and welcoming, I had chills thinking of those who had suffered and wanted better for their children and chose to start a new better life in the United States. After the park we make it to our hotel. The price was amazing considering what I found on the internet, $109 per night, this includes a full out breakfast, bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, etc. And our room was huge with it's own kitchenette, granite countertops, cherry cabinets, the works. Also, this place provided a shuttle into NYC, Times Square to be exact, and back to the hotel at different times during the day/night for a small fee. But I did feel like I was playing Russian roullette with my life and my family's life riding in the van with a crazy driver. However, it became apparent that all of the drivers were crazy according to me. 
So we get dropped off in Times Square, all I could say was "Wow!" First thing we see is the naked Cowgirl, the word "girl" is used way too loosely, much like most of her skin. Sorry for the image, but she was old and in a bra and panty get up with a wig, tons of make up and cowboy hat. The amount of people walking in Times Square is so hard to imagine, you must see it to grasp it. To satisfy the kids first, we went into the 3 story Toys R Us, with a ferris wheel inside. Talk about overstimulation, our little country bumpkins were either stuttering or speechless. Ok, ok, so were Jamie and I. Now remember, this trip was last minute, actually the job and idea came up on a Friday and we decided Sunday that we would leave out Monday. So, still a whirlwind trip... Anyway, it was actually cold up there for June, 60's. Not good when I packed quickly, no jackets or pants or closed toe shoes. We found lunch at a hole in the wall, mom and pop pizza place. Best pizza I have ever had in my entire life. I do know pizza, remember I was born in a suburb of Chicago and visited frequently. I noticed this about eating in NYC, you got a lot of food for a great price. After pizza, of course we had to find dessert. Can you guess? New York.......Cheesecake. It tasted like cheese. hmm must be why it's called "cheesecake." It was good, I am just used to a sweetened southern form of cheesecake. We walked all over the Times Square area, theatre district. About 8pm, we called it a night and waited on our shuttle. Tomorrow we would try new adventures!
