Day 25,
Well, firstly had a great meal at an old American Diner in Times Square last night, then back to the hotel for an early rise with a 7.00am pickup for trip to airport. Times Square was amazing, the picture doesn't do it justice, the neon lights and building picture shows is incredible!
Arrived in Toronto Hotel at 2pm and had a little Nanna nap(!) before meeting up with Michelle our travel agent who organized the trip up to this point. It was great to actually meet Michelle as we had only met via email and phone prior to this. I must say that the effort Michelle put into our trip was fantastic and everything has just gone off without a problem. Tonight we meet with the tour leader for the second leg of the trip to go over the next 2 weeks activities. Then it was off to tea and after that  trying to organize what we are taking on the train for the next 3 days as we are only allowed an overnight bag between the two of us. It seems we won't have much internet access, as we will be in the wilds of Canada (!) over the next few days so further trip updates my be few and far between.

Times Square at Night

Times Square at night (2)

Day 24,
Went and visited the USS Intrepid & USS Growler. These are decommissioned US Navy vessels. The Intrepid an aircraft carrier and the Growler a submarine used in the cold war against Russia. There was also one of the Space Shuttles The Enterprise and a Concord on display. All were excellent. We got a surprise as to just how big the space shuttle is.
We then caught the hop on hop off bus again to to do the uptown loop of Manhattan which again was very interesting. We got off at Central Park and took a Horse and Buggy ride around the park. Most enjoyable. Tomorrow we fly to Toronto to start the Canadian and Alaskan leg of the trip. So not sure when the next installment will be forthcoming.

USS Intrepid

USS Intrepid

Space Shuttle Enterprise

Shuttle Head On

Where John Lennon got shot.

Fountain in Central Park

Linda & I in Buggy Central Park

Day 23
Last night we saw the Musical The Jersey Boys and it was fantastic.

Well today we got up up fairly early and made our way to Battery Park so we could catch the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty before the crowds. This worked well as it was no where as crowded as yesterday. We then caught the bus and continued the Sight Seeing tour around Manhattan. We then did some shopping including visiting Macy's. After that it was time to visit the Post Office again and send another package home. We are pretty tired tonight as we have done a lot of walking today. Finished off the day with a beautiful meal at a French Restaurant. Another busy day tomorrow before we leave New York for Toronto on Monday.

August Wilson Theatre where we saw Jersey Boys

Linda & I in front of you know what.

Statue of Liberty

Fans of Law & Order will recognize this.

Staten Island Ferry

Day 21 & 22
Drove from Newburgh to New York yesterday and arrived at our Hotel at 1pm. The drive into Manhattan wasn't as bad as I had envisioned. In fact it was pretty easy and actually easier than driving in Sydney CBD. The streets mostly go one way which makes it pretty easy.  The drive over the Washington Bridge to get into Manhattan was pretty hectic and we had to make sure we were in the right lane at the correct time to make the correct turn. Missed the hire car drop off point on the first occasion so just went round the block and found it the second time round. Went for a bit a of a walk around and up to times square waiting for our room to be ready at 3pm.
After checking in we made our way to the 911 memorial as we had tickets for 6pm. Bit of a rig moral to get in but once there very much worth the effort.
Today we got our Hop On Hop Off tickets and saw many parts of New York on the bus. Got off at the Empire State Building and went up to the viewing level on 86th floor. View was excellent as it was very clear day. Continued on the bus and stopped of to do the Statue of Liberty but very busy. Decided to leave it till tomorrow. Girls then decided to do some shopping at Century 21. Tonight we are off to The Jersey Boys.
Also got some good news last night Brett and Sarah gave birth to a little girl Piper Stacey. Great work guys.

Washington Bridge

Part of Times Square

Me looking into remembrance pool of North Tower 911

Times Square again

911 Remembrance Pool North Tower

View from Empire State Building 88th floor viewing platform.

Day 20,
Today we drove from York to Newburgh NY. First off before we left York we did the Harley Factory tour. This is the factory where all the Touring, Softail & CVO models are made. It was very interesting to see the Guards and Tanks pressed from flat pieces of steel then trimmed etc. The tank halves then welded together and pressure checked. We also saw the making of the frames and the Painting of all the pieces. We could not actually see the assembly line as it had 2014 model bikes on it and they are to be released on Sunday, so if we had come next Monday this would have also been included in the tour. This however was covered in a video. Even Linda thought it was very interesting. We then made our way to Newburgh along the back roads trying to see some Amish people. We spotted a couple farming with horses and also a couple travelling along in their Horse and Buggies. Linda fitted in another Doctors visit along the way so she could get some more antibiotics for her bronchitis.
Went out for tea at OCC Cafe (Orange County Choppers, American Chopper TV Show) and had a great meal. Driving to New York tomorrow and hand back the car in Manhatten.

Harley Factory York

Some of the Tin work made in the Factory

Amish Farmer Ploughing field

Amish horse & Buggy

linda's Burger at OCC Cafe

OCC Cafe

Day 18 & 19
Continued with the tour of Washington yesterday and first off visited the Holocaust Museum which was very well done. Spent a couple of hours there. Then took a tour of a different part of Washington around the older section Georgetown. Came home for a afternoon nap as we had another tour last night, A Moonlight tour of the Monuments which went for another 2.5 hours.  Very good tour but meant we didn't sit down for tea till after 10pm. Washington is a really beautiful place and it is somewhere you could come back and spend another couple of weeks just trying to see it all. Left Washington at 8am this morning in the pouring rain and made our way to Gettysburg to do the Gettysburg battlefield tour. This battle was one of the largest and most decisive of the Civil War. We saw a film documentary, the cyclorama, (which is circular painting that is over 100 years old and is approx 10mts high

and the museum. Then we went on a 2hr bus tour of the battlefield. All extremely well done but the bus tour could have been shorter.  Meant more if you were a local.

Tried to fit in a visit to the Harley Factory at York but got there to late. Tours closed at 2pm so will go at 9am tomorrow when we leave here.

Korean War Memorial by Night

Marines Iwo Jima War Memorial

Over looking part of the Battlefield

Statue overlooking Gettysburg Battlefield

White House by Night

Part of the Cyclorama

Day 16 & 17
PT is sick with my wog! How to go on holidays and be really sick for days... we are all dropping like flies. Anyway, here we are in Washington; a beautiful city and one i could spend a lot of time in. There is so much to see and do; the monuments and history here is phenomenal and its not all American history. Yesterday we had a quiet day, walked around the area we are staying, then walked down to the White House which isn't far from where we are; just amazing. President is on holidays at the moment and apparently the city is quiet because congress in not in session. There are many monuments and things to see in Washington and we were a little overwhelmed by it all. Actually, I think I have culture shock; this whole American society is supersized and fastfood!! Word of warning, if you want to visit America, lose at least 5kg before you get here!
Today, we started our 'Old Trolley Tour' which is a bus tour that takes in points of interest in Washington. Today we took in Smithsonian Aeronautical and Space Museum, Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam and Korean Memorial as well as many others we saw just sitting on the bus. This evening we went to a Baseball game, Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies. It was incredible, the game was great, the baseball play was exceptional and the atmosphere was amazing. They have amazing between play entertainment and the commentary on the billboard/scoreboard really keeps you interested and of course there is the the hotdogs and beer. Supersized....!!

Vietnam War Memorial Wall with over 50,000 names of those killed during the war

In Front of our New House The White House

Lincoln Memorial

President Taylor!!!!??? and The First Lady!!!??? in the Oval Office

MBL Game Nats v Phillies

Successful Hit which resulted in a run home.

John F Kennedy's grave and Eternal Flame Arlington Cemetary