From the Park to THE City-JVM

These past few days have been a whirlwind. After spending the better part of a week winding down seemingly endless backroads, we found our way into Boston on Wednesday. It was a spectacular, sunny day. The Redsox were due to play a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Now normally that last sentence wouldn't have mattered, but it's make-or-break time for the Sox. The much-hated Yankees are neck and neck with them down the stretch towards the playoffs. One win or loss means you could be done for the season. So, all of beantown was buzzing...and NO! not because of the beans, because the season was hanging in the balance. With all that in the backdrop, in walk three baseball fans to see Fenway Park. I wish I could explain to you how fun that was! We took the tour where they take you inside the park and let you sit in the press box, sit in the seats atop the 'green monster', meander your way through the stadium and soak it in. I loved it!

Next came New York City. I know I'm going to sound like a country bumpkin when I say this, but I'm going to say it anyway...it was awe inspiring. As we exited Central Station we couldn't help be feel at home...it was raining! New Yorkers may be tough and all that but, come on, why all the umbrellas?? It's just water. Okay, so maybe it IS toxic but they're supposed to be tough. The massive flow of people was invigorating and fun to watch, as well as be a part of. Ground Zero was a bit weird for me. I mean, it was sort of eerie that here was this huge hole in the ground as evidence that things would never be the same-while all around it was 'business as usual'. Interesting.

I could write much more but we're off to Providence ("the one in Rhode Island"....quick, who said that?) Besides, I don't want to be a blog hogger.

New York City: the Day After

What we did/saw on Thursday:

• train from Connecticut into NYC
• Grand Central Station
• subway ride from downtown to the waterfront
• The UN building
• The Chrysler building
• Trip to the top of Empire State Building
• Battery Park (south of the financial district)
• View of Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
• Ground Zero
• Times Square

Should we explain the places? Got a month?

I understand why people like (love!) this city. The sense of belonging seems less a matter of the neighborhood than it does in knowing that the city breathes "the world". Anyone from anywhere can be at home here. Distance (personal space) is honored which gives new meaning to me about why people seem "cold". They're protecting their space and their personal values. "Bumping into people" is as much about getting a chance to find if another meets your checklist of someone who could be a real person versus another wave in the sea of faces.

Pete

Day Nine: Thursday New York City (BC - before cabs)

We're on our way this morning via train to NYC. This will be an interesting two days (we'll be coming back to Will's niece's home in Connecticut tonight, then going back tomorrow). If we didn't get a chance to see the way leaves fall asleep for the winter, we'll now go the opposite direction visually and find a city that they say never sleeps.

Yesterday we conquered Concord and teed off Boston by visiting Fenway Park. More later about Boston, Fenway and the trip to the place the Revolutionary War started. We're writing this from a PC other than ours so we're not able to add pictures yet. Into the second week of the vacation and it's still a blast. 'laytaaah.

3 Bro's East

Waldon Pond in Concord, Mass. Early Wednesday morning. 

The Unitarian Congregational Church (if you've got the name figured out, let us know!) in Concord, Mass. Wednesday morning. We're going to suffer under 70 degree sunshine in Boston today. 

Sunshine drive on the interstate in Maine. On our way to New Hampshaaah. 

Blue Sky & sunshine. Now this is a "light" house. Nice picture Will! 

The lighthouse tower 

Port Elizabeth lighthouse in Portland, ME. 

Port Elizabeth lighthouse at Fort Williams in Portland, ME. 

We decided that this is really Will's place: he helped John & I figure it out. 

John is head & shoulders above "the friend". 

Will hugging an alien in Maine. We found him a friend. Notice how much their eyes look like each other. 

Schooner docked in the harbor of Rockport, ME.  

We finally saw a leaf changing color! We're going to call this one a rattlesnake leaf. 

The harbor at Rockport, ME. 

Mr. Sweet and Mr. Pumpernickle in front of their nicknames at the local bakery in Rockland, ME. 

We thought this was an appropo heading for the trip. Found in Rockland, ME on our walk through the town Monday. 

New Hampshire Harvest Bizarre (spelled this way on purpose by the 3 Bros). Dignified junk....with some thankfully dignified people. At least we walked away with a freshly made pumpkin pie! 

Saranac Lake: view from our motel room Sunday morning (Saranac is 10 miles from Lake Placid, NY). 

Here's our "bridge" from New York to Vermont. For $23 we saved a ton of gas! duh. 

Our first view of Vermont wasn't as colorful as we expected. Here's our look at the hills from the center of Lake Champlain from the ferry. 

We were getting tired of our minivan so we asked some locals for some recommendations on what else what we might be able to drive for the next week. Here's what they came up with: 

So we asked them to line them up for us to check out. 

Some cars just look hot! 

The Pittsburgh Steelers sent along a couple team colors. 

I think I'd like to suffer from these blues. Something I could afford. 

We needed to make a few extra bucks somehow, but our playing was a little rusty.