While you don’t take a jet, getting there is almost like flying — you take a cable-car over the east river.

That’s the 59th street bridge right next to the cable-car. The climactic fight scene in Spiderman was filmed here. Scott, Leif and I, were just feelin’ groovy though.

There are ruins of an old asylum on the south end of the island. Just beyond that is a nice grassy area where Leif walked around.

He likes helicopters and airplanes. If you go to the flickr site (click any of the images) and view the images after this at full resolution, you can see the helicopter he was watching.

Behind us is the UN, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler building, the erstwhile Pan Am (not MetLife) building, and a the Green Goblin’s building.

Other than Leif’s runny nose in the cold, we all had a great adventure.

Leif gets quality time with Scott and Dena…

Dena pushing two girls up the hill to the pool…

Can’t go in the pool.

So we play on the playground…

Tickling on the swings

Climbing the wall.

Back at the Friderich house … playing in the giant inflatable thing in the basement.

That was the weekend after the final Harry Potter came out. So the Friderichs, Kovariks and Dishmans had many long sessions of reading to each other. Between reading sessions, there was sleeping.

…and trying to get Tom to … have an “accident” … it didn’t work. (We woke him up trying to put his hand in the warm water)

Peter visited from Mexico.

And we had a great get-together with many old ATL friends.

Did I mention that we had lots of great meals?
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Overall, a delightful trip!

Scott and I had a sudden-storm adventure in the financial district …

After that we drank beer at the place where George Washington gave his farewell address. It’s cool to have "historic" places like that a 30 minute subway ride from home!

After that, we got on the train and headed up to midtown.

Name that building for extra credit…

We walked over to the United Nations.

When Scott saw this, he said, "No wonder why Luxemborg never won a war!"

Here Scott is pointing (sorta) to the Turkish flag.

Here, Scott looks like Cramer.

The next day, we took a Circle Line cruise around the lower half of Manhattan. I took Ellie up to the pier while Scott & Dena checked out Chinatown. It was a beautiful brisk day with the wind howling from the west.

That’s the Empire State Building and midtown behind Scott.

That’s Jersey City behind Scott and Dena.

That’s Ellis Island behind Dena and Ellie.

That’s the Statue of Liberty behind me.

The Brooklyn Bridge…

Dena and Elizabeth among the huddled masses … wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

The ex-Pan Am building …

A strong steel tower of the Manhattan Bridge.

While the tourism was a lot of fun, the real fun was to hang out with special friends we rarely see.

Next time in Atlanta?

Elise Friderich is 2 years old. The Friderichs had a "Little Devil" party for her since her birthday is on such a "special" day!

We celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese. While the party was for the kids, there were some "adults" looking a little scary too.

Elise points to that crazy mouse that’s moving! "Did you see that?"

"I’m not sure whether I should be amazed or scared."

Mommy and Elise.

Big Sister Elena drinking a dring colored for the occaision.

Climbing.

Redeeming.

Smiling.

Hair Glowing.

Candle Blowing.

Sister Helping.

Dena Threatening.

Kids Chowing.

Family Smiling

(sugar) Rushing .

Katie Grinning.

Kovariks Looking.

Food Coloring.

Elena Exploring.

Hand Holding.

Whirligig Riding.

Hippoes Playing.

Balls Throwing.

Blacksmith Explaining.

Person Scaring.

Really scaring.

Really Seriously Scaring.

I’ve taken pictures of Mommies and Babies (Samuel Wisdom Noonan)…

Dogs guarding food…

Cleveland and Lake Erie …

Thunderstorms near Nashville…

And a crewmember shooting hoops under a jetway…

…before parking a plane…

… at my new employer!

Starting August 31st, a whole new chapter in life!

Elaine:

Richard:

The scores:

Both had quotes of “Not nerdy, but then again maybe not all that cool either.”

This week I had a 4-day trip for work. Normally, I hate 4-day trips. But this one was punctuated by a delightful visit to our dear friends the Donahues. I had an overnight in South Bend, Indiana, where they live, and Elizabeth was able to fly up. On final approach to the airport, we got a nive view of the famous stadium.

I got to take a power-nap at the hotel before Raully and Elizabeth picked me up at about 11:00 am. We ate and had dessert at the South Bend Chocolate cafe.

Raully just completed his comps (Congratulations!!!) and had an appointment with his advisor, so Elizabeth and I went to the campus of Notre Dame. We visited the Basilica of the Sacred Heart — a beautiful and American-feeling cathedral on campus.

The organist was practicing.

Elizabeth sat and read while I ambled to the bookstore, enjoying the sights.

Then we went down to the pond and met Raully.

Then we went home for Happy Times!

We had a nice dinner out and I had to go to bed … to wake up at 4:30!