Do I like NYC?

Oh yes I do! My mom and I spent four busy, fun-filled days in The Big Apple in September. This was our first time in NYC, and we both want to go back. Correction, we NEED to go back! This city is amazing. It's big, bright, loud, crowded, beautiful, diverse, interesting, fun and more.

We went to Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and The Today Show, The Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building, the New York City Public Library and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We visited the Financial District where the new Freedom Tower is being built at Ground Zero. We didn't get to see the new 911 Memorial, but we did walk by Wall Street (inspite of the Occupy Wall Street protesters).

We took a cruise around Manhattan where we enjoyed an incredible view of the city, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

We walked up and then down 5th Avenue. The up 5th Avenue journey was to find the Apple Store. I was having trouble with a device and needed some help. The building has a glass elevator and glass stairs inside that take you below street level to the store. There were almost as many people in the store underground as there were above ground on the street. I hate to brag, but I will. So yes, I have been to the Apple Store in Manhattan! We went to FAO Schwarz, bought some overpriced candy and saw The Big Piano. Remember the Tom Hanks movie, Big?

We saw The Lion King. It was my first time to experience a play, and on Broadway no less. The actors were so talented and the costumes and music were beyond amazing. I was impressed. It was one of my favorite things we did while in New York.

We ate breakfast one morning at a McDonald's that was three stories tall. Now I wouldn't normally admit that I ate at McDonald's, but really people, three stories!

 We learned to navigate the subway system, buses and taxis. We visited Macy's and rode to each of the 6 or 7 floors (can't remember now) via escalators. Some of the escalators were made of wood. We ate a hot dog from a street vendor and walked through Bryant Park one night during a concert. And, I made a new friend.

Oh, and one more thing, when you visit New York City, you need to wear a pedometer. I keep wondering how many miles we walked. I will never know how many, but one thing I do know for sure, the journey was fun!

Have you ever?

Have you ever been inside a lighthouse? During a recent vacation that my mom and I took (more on that later), I got to experience the thrill of doing just that. Okay, thrill may be a bit dramatic to describe this experience, but when I think back on it, it was pretty cool! I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, climbing to the top of a lighthouse would definitely be on it.

The Cape Cod Light (also known as the Highland Light) is located in the town of Truro on Cape Cod. The lighthouse was built in 1797 and is now operated by the local historical society. The light is still used as a navigational tool by the U.S. Coast Guard.

We climbed 59 or 66 steps. I forget now, but the climb was steep!

The last few steps to the top of the light. The rope was handy.

At the top, visibility was poor due to heavy fog.