Monthly Archives: September 2018

Americana, Photography

New York City Day 2

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See Rhode Island or Bust and New York City Day 1 for the beginning of the trip.

I got online and bought a ticket to the Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island tour for early Monday morning. I had read that mornings were the best time to go. I checked the subway map to plan my route. So, on Day 2 in New York City, I headed out bright and early, looking for breakfast.

Bumps in the Road

Did I mention that it was Labor Day? Holidays change everything. The streets were virtually empty and everything was closed. So, breakfast was a coffee and muffin from the only small market open.

An empty street scene in NYC ©Sharon Popek
Penn Station Steps with a single person on the steps ©Sharon Popek
The front of Penn Station, empty and quiet.
A lone person waiting across the platform on the metro ©Sharon Popek

At Penn Station, I discovered that there was construction on the line I needed to take to Battery Park. Battery Park is where Statue Cruises is located. So, the line that goes straight there, was closed. So, some helpful metro workers told me to take Line 2 to a different stop and get on the free shuttle that would go to Battery Park. At the stop, there was no shuttle and the sign said it would not arrive for another 30 minutes.  According to my phone, I could walk there in 20. So, off I went. I took lots of photos on the way. Here are a few. It took me a little longer than 20 minutes. There was construction, thus closing the sidewalk and I had to take a detour.

An image of the 911 memorial in New York City ©Sharon Popek
American Stock Exchange ©Sharon Popek
The Chrysler Building peeking out between a building in NYC

Boat Rides and 195 Steps

On the boat over, I had a great view. But once we started getting close, people started crowding in front of me. I managed to snag a few shots before too many people came in.

NYC Panoramic
Sailing
Statue of Liberty from the boat
Historic Ellis Island against the NYC skyline ©Sharon Popek

I visited the Statue of Liberty first. I walked up 195 to the pedestal because the elevator was packed and full elevators are on my list of “probably not”. I made it up to the pedestal and got a great view of the city and the grounds below. If you go, you will have to get a locker. Be prepared for frustration and waiting in line for this. Either way, I’m glad I went. It was worth every step.

The view from the Pedestal ©Sharon Popek
The statue from the Pedestal ©Sharon Popek
National Park Service building ©Sharon Popek
These bolts hold Liberty together ©Sharon Popek
The signs say “Area of Refuge” by Sharon Popek
NYC Panoramic
The original Statue of Liberty torch ©Sharon Popek

Ellis Island

I and 50,000 other people decided it was time to get back on the boat and go to Ellis Island. By the time I made it off the boat and out of the crowd, I was pretty tired. But I walked around the place and took some photos.

A copy of the book of names
Main hall in Ellis Island
Entrance to Ellis Island

Back in NYC

After disembarking at Battery Park, I found a kiosk selling cold beer and could not refuse.  I bought a beer and walked around for a bit. Then I returned to the room for a long nap.

A monument to refugees in Battery Park
The Sea Glass Carousel in Battery Park
Cold Beer on hot day in NYC

After my nap, I found an Indian place for dinner. It was delicious. The garlic naan was spot on.

Saag Paneer
Garlic Naan
Skylight Diner at night
A good night for pizza in black and white

After walking 11 miles and taking tons of photos, it was time to retire. The next day would be more walking, sweating, drinking, and photos.

 

 

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Photography

All things hopeful

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SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was Hope. Many great images to guide us and keep our spirits up. A great way to keep yourself positive and ready to face the world. Be Hopeful.

 

Reflections and rainbows and hope by Sharon Popek
A man washes a large skylight by Ann Barber
Eat the meat of the other team’s mascot in hopes of winning Mary G. Thames
Rays of the sun peaking over a gorgeous view keeps hope alive. ©Mary Ann Gilfillan‎
Flowers can always fill us with a sense of hope ©Jeanne Thomas
Butterflies give us hope in rebirth and renewal. ©Sydney Osborne
Helping the least among us succeed. ©Tatiana Eldersister
Light in the darkness is a guide. ©Jennifer Gruhl
The United Nations symbol on the door of the UN building in Geneva. Hope in one another ©Pete Eby
Children give hope for the future. ©Leticia Vickland
Mystical Light through the windows of a quaint country church ©Tatiana Eldersister
Weekly Photo Challenge

Fair and Festival Fun

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SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was the Fair.  Our big summer fair is about 2 miles from my house. But I still managed to not make it this year. However, some other folks did! Some of them even made it to other fairs and festivals.

A great image with all the things a fair embodies by Ann Barber
See Real Zombies! ©Jeanne Thomas
Is that the eye of Sauron? You never know what you’ll see at the fair. ©Mary Ann Gilfilan
This ride is not for me. ©Mary Ann Gilfilan
This easy going ride is also not for me. ©Mary Ann Gilfilan
A colorful, bubbly image ©Joe Rentz
Love the patterns and the sky in this one. ©Jennifer Gruhl
What? ©Jeanne Thomas
The Baroque style carousel in Bryant Park in NYC ©Sharon Popek
Photography

New York City Day 1

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When it was time to leave Providence (see Rhode Island or Bust), E dropped me at the station early because I did not know what to expect. Would it be like the airport? Would I have to remove my shoes and take out my electronics and shampoo? Would I get the joy of a pat down? Nope, none of that. They did have police walking around, watching for suspicious behavior, I suppose. That left me with some time to kill, so I went down and took some photos of the platforms. When it was time to board, I hopped on and grabbed a comfy seat. Coach seats on trains are nice and cushy. After everyone found a spot, no seat assignments here, we were off. I was headed to New York City, just me and my camera.

The interior of the Amtrak station in Providence, Rhode Island.
People waiting for the train
The train platform in Providence, RI.
Waiting for the train in Providence

On the Train

I sat next to a very nice woman from Florida. Her daughters lived in New England and she was visiting them. She told me to visit the Public Library in New York. So, I added it to my list. There are several reasons to love the train. One of those is that you can have a conversation without everyone else in the whole place hearing what you say. It’s also easy to get up and move around.  I visited the snack bar where the cashier told me about the time he visited East Tennessee and loved it. There’s also the views.  I got to see so much of New England that I would not have seen otherwise. It made me want to visit the places I viewed from the train.

A view from the train
A view from the window

Made it NYC

The train pulled into Penn Station and I had a moment of what now? I had researched the location of my Airbnb and the exits were clearly marked, so I found my way out easily. The Airbnb was only 3 blocks from the station. I made my way there and there was a nice guy waiting to give me a key card and show me to my room. It was a private room with a shared bath and kitchen area. I had reservations about the shared bath, but it ended up not being an issue for me. I only ran into the other tenants once in the 4 days I was there.

Skyscrapers ©Sharon Popek
Right outside of my Airbnb

What Now

The biggest problem with visiting a place like New York City without specific plans is there are so many options, it’s hard to decide what to do. I took a shower and relaxed for a bit before deciding to hit the streets in search of food and drink. It was Sunday and quite a few of the nearby places were already closed or closing soon. But I found Jack Doyle’s Irish Pub and Grill and planted myself at the bar. After a couple of perfectly poured Guinnesses and a delicious Caprese Salad, I was ready to go to bed and start again the next day.

The marquee for Jack Doyle’s Pub and Grill
Caprese for dinner
A perfectly poured Guinness
The New Yorker from my window

Stay Tuned

Watch for Day 2! The next installment includes a trip to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, more beer, and lots of walking.

 

 

 

Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Doors! Doors! Doors!

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SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was Doors. And man, did we get some door photos!

A mural on the Miller’s Building in the alley by Mary G. Thames.
A salesman in the doorway in New Orleans
Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida
The church door where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses
A cabin in Cades Cove
A young woman peaks around a door
A little texture added to this one.
A red door peaking behind a decorative iron fence
First Christian Church Knoxville,TN
A beautiful, detailed door knob from Westwood in Knoxville, TN
Located at UT Gardens in Knoxville, TN.
Southern Railways in Knoxville, TN
Door in Castle in Sweden
Door in Castle in Sweden
Castle Door in Sweden
Office doors can be nice too!
Grifter Door
Detailed Double Doors
Ministry of Supplies Door
A door just beyond
San Francisco Door
So many Doors
Theatre Doors at night
Photography

Rhode Island or Bust

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I lost my job in July. But that’s not what I’m here to talk about. When I lost my job, it allowed me to take some time off, giving me a chance to spend time with one of my oldest friends (as in how long I’ve known her).  She was also off of work because she was going back to school to get her Master’s Degree at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. Turns out she would be driving up and needed someone to go with her. Since I had nothing better to do, I offered to be her partner in this extra long road trip, from East Tennessee to Rhode Island.  We loaded up and headed out. It was Rhode Island or Bust.

I’m ready for take off
The van is packed

To the East

We headed East from Knoxville up I-81. We would be overnighting in Richmond, VA with E’s brother and his girlfriend. The only hiccup was our inability to find a Waffle House when it was time for lunch. We opted for Cracker Barrel instead. Perfectly fine, but it’s no Waffle House. Almost there, we decided we looked like we’d been driving for 7 hours and smelled like it too. So, we stopped at a rest area and cleaned up a bit and changed our clothes. We were once again the ravishing goddesses we were when we started out. Once in Richmond, we met up with E’s brother and girlfriend at this great oriental restaurant, Beijing. The food and service were excellent for a busy Friday night.They are a lovely couple and so kind to let us stay in their place. We spent the night at their house and went to a local diner, City Diner,  for breakfast. A great way to start the day!

It was a Friday, so the special was fried fish. I got breakfast.
She’s so happy to be starting a new chapter!

Through the Big City and then some

Back on the road, we made our way up through the New England states and toll road mecca. Tolls are a huge PIA, in case you didn’t know. There has to be a better way. Someone out there, please come up with a better way! The roads were terrible too, so it’s not like the $40 we paid in tolls were going for great roads or anything. Rant over.

I was most nervous about driving through New York City. While, we wouldn’t be on the city streets, I knew it would still be a bit crazy and stressful. Guess what! It was! There were so many odd on ramps and off ramps, stay left, go right, stay left, cross 4 lanes and go right. It was a bit nuts. But we made it through without incident. We took a wrong turn somewhere after NYC and ended up taking the scenic route through Connecticut. I’m glad we did. It was beautiful and I will definitely be going back there.

Providence Found

Once in Providence, Rhode Island, we found our Airbnb,  a big sprawling home divided up into apartments. We were exhausted, but also starving. We went out in search of food. Apparently, Providence strongly discourages late night shenanigans because almost all of the nearby restaurants closed at 9pm. Yes, even on Saturday. It was close to 8:30, so we were limited on options. We decided (decided for us because not much else in the area), on Andreas, a greek restaurant.  We started with the Mussels and they were yummy. I quite frankly don’t remember what else we had because we were half asleep already. Back at the Airbnb, I showered and promptly went to sleep.

Moving In and Heading Out

We started out early, so we could have breakfast then get the van unloaded and me on a train to NYC.  We unpacked the van on to the sidewalk because we had to get the vehicle quickly moved. Finally we got everything into her apartment and she dropped me at the Amtrak station.

A quick view of Providence
Just like my undergraduate days
Amtrak station

New Adventures

We went our separate ways. She, off to a completely new and different life. Me, to a solo vacation in NYC and a new life waiting for me at home. I am thankful that we were able to spend this time together and support one another when we needed it the most!

I am proud of both of us for being brave women!