The lines in NYC are longer than Disney...

As I mentioned Jason and I are exhausted and because of that we slept in and didn't even get out of our hotel until after noon. It was so nice to just sleep and not feel any worldly pressures. I didn't have to be anywhere... didn't have anything to turn it. The only thing I had to do is whatever I wanted. :)

We decided after lots of roaming around yesterday to try and block attractions together that are in an area instead of just going willy nilly with things we wanted to see and do. So today we decided we'd go stay in lower Manhattin for site seeing.

We started with a trip towards Wall Street when we happened upon a grave. The grave of Alexander Hamilton to be exact. We decided to go in and see where we were, turns out we were at Trinity Church and also Robert Fulton. Next stop really was Wall Street and then I insisted we go see the Merril Lynh bull, only to figure out it's not really the Merril Lynch bull it's just a "charging bull" in the financial district that Merril Lynch uses as a symbol. Regardless I did find it.... but so did everybody else.

By this point in the day it was already sweltering hot. Now I know 80's really isn't that hot but when you haven't been out in the outside world that much, in walking around a city or even been standing in the sun for long periods of time it feels like a slow sweaty death. I guess with thoughts like that you can see why I'm so excited about going to Iceland. ;) Anyway, we made our way through Battery Park and found Clinton Castle where we got in and excessively long line for tickets to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Sadly, we got there too late in the day to get actual tickets to go on the platform of Lady Liberty but all in all we didn't care, were were doing it. So after an hour wait, 2 bomb pops and a bottle of water we had our tickets to go wait in another line for an hour to get on the ferry. I seriously had NO idea we'd be just standing in line for over half the day. Literally every place was a line...  on the ferry, off the ferry, bathroom, tickets etc. I guess if I ever come back to NYC I'll be sure it isn't a holiday and it isn't hot. :)

After the long wait we finally got to security. Where, please excuse me for my rude comments, I decided that all the rejected TSA workers go to screen bags. It took FOREVER and there were are hearing "last call" being shouted and the workers are just messing our and not looking at the screen... taking forever. Poor Jason had to put his shoes back on as we walked towards the ferry and didn't even tie them until we made it to Liberty Island... at least that's what I'm calling it. It really was pretty amazing. Lady Liberty is quite amazing and when I think about it at a hundred and 125 my grandma was around when she was being build. Pretty amazing when I think about it in those terms. I couldn't help but be amazed at all the Sea men and women taking in the sights. I really couldn't get enough, I even took some pictures for a group of guys. I mean, it really is the least I can do as a US citizen.

That's not my hand btw. 

We made it over to Ellis Island and did a brief walk around. We didn't really have time for the movie, or to go through everything but we did go and find a Bergstresser ancestor. Pretty neat to see. Jason's family was over here way before that so none of his family was to be found, but still pretty neat. I can honestly say, I do think it was worth the money, if the lines were less the experience would have been 100 X's better.

After that we headed back to our hotel to get ready for dinner with Mike D. (from high school) and Matt M. (Eeore from AGR). Pretty awesome that we got to meet up with both of them. It was great to get to see Mike as it's been 11 year. Ugh, I hate to type that. ;) And it's always good to see Eeyore. I struggle to call him anything else.  We were late... because the the 1 station close to our hotel is closed and the R is seriously the slowest and least often subway I've ever expereinced. BUT, we got there ad we ate BBQ, explored a bit and then ended up at McSorley's Old Ale House, which was established in 1854, really neat place. I plan at some point to read more of the history. It was so good to catch up on old times and see Mike in his city. :) Sadly, the night had to end but hopefully we'll get to see Mike and Eeyore again before we leave.

Waiting...

It's the R train!!! 

Holding a 9-11 tribute book. 

Eeyore and Mike

Mike and Jason

You get the picture... but I think he's gotten taller?!

On the way home Jason did a little fall asleep for a second. It cracks me up when he does that and when you add to it the fact that we're on a subway train... haha Loved it. He's snoring as I speak. :) Looking forward to tomorrow and trying to figure out what in the world I will wear to stay cool. It was hard to pack for a range of weather and only bring 1 backpack.

PS: I got my first ever sunburn North of the Mason Dixon Line. Yep, it's possible folks and I've done it. :) Please note the awesome lines as to where I've yet again missed sunscreen wise and the bra line. Fabulous.