Our goal was to walk High Line Park – highly recommended by several people. To get there, we decided to ride the subway. Easy to pay and get on, a bit confusing when we had to transfer to a different train halfway there, but down another level and we were set.

This area of the city is called Hudson Yards. When we exited by way of a couple of really long escalators going up, we were shocked to be greeted by strong cold wind. Walking High Line Park would not be pleasant in any way. We found a Starbucks, had breakfast, warmed up and came up with plan B. Great idea: a Starbucks bike:

Nearby, the Vessel, currently closed due to several suicides, a solution is still being explored.

We decided to walk back, technically a 42 minute walk but we managed to find a few distractions along the way. Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building:

The Garment District with soooo many fabric shops (Sacramento has just one).

Maria has an internal homing signal for Irish pubs.

A rooftop bar and restaurant, so nice and warm inside.

Continuing our trek back, we skipped Pig and Whistle but stopped next at Sean’s Irish Pub:

The spires of St Patrick’s meant we were close to our hotel. It was still quite cold, but the buildings blocked a lot of the wind.

On our way to “dinner,” a traffic jam even though a police officer was directing traffic. Half the vehicles in all directions were honking horns continuously.

Another NYC tradition, hot dog and a pretzel from a street vendor. Our “dinner:”

We were up early Wednesday morning to fly home arriving mid-afternoon.

Central Park, one end of the 2-mile-long park just a few blocks from our hotel.

So .. Maria tends to start conversations and make friends with people wherever we are. Doormen, waiters, trumpet players, and birds who seem to be following her as we stroll through the park.

Yes, it’s possible to get lost in Central Park. We decided to head back, then walked past the same blossoming tree twice, got directions from a friendly local, turned in the opposite direction and followed a main road back to the corner where we’d started. LOL.

We found Cassidy’s Irish Pub on the way back and had a late lunch. My current favorite storefront with 3-D flowers up high:

An early evening glass of excellent red wine + dessert.

I must say: we are having a great time in NYC.

On a lark, we got up at 6 am, quickly put on warm clothes, walked a couple of blocks, went through security, and lined up along the barricades for the Today Show. From 6:30-7:00, a producer and two staff members prepped us for the show, did short interviews to find groups to feature, followed by little rehearsals and filming short clips.

When it began to rain, the staff brought out orange ponchos for everyone.

We were able to watch the entire show, with sound and without commercials, on a big screen. 8:01 – there we were on the big screen with my (in Maria’s words) “electrocuted hair”. Our rehearsed phrase, “Celebrating 50 years of friendship .. from Sacramento!” Smile and wave.

The hosts came out to film and visit.

All were friendly and gracious and walked the entire perimeter, chatting and posing for selfies. Fist bump with Al Roker:

Craig Melvin:

Kristen Welker:

Jacob Soboroff:

Only Carson Daly didn’t make it to our section.

Morning walk past St Patrick’s Cathedral side entrance

to Rockefeller Center:

Times Square. At lower left in the picture where sign says “tkts” was a list of Broadway shows with seats available. We got in the long line where Maria began a conversation with an oceanography high school teacher and his wife from Connecticut (btw, this happens wherever we go) which made the time go by quickly.

We were able to get some great seats (Orchestra center, Row 9) for today’s matinee performance of The Book of Mormon. We had just enough time for lunch at a Celtic pub before heading to the theater.

The Eugene O’Neill Theater.

Great show! After, we did a bit more shopping on 5th Avenue, then back to the hotel.