October 15 – So first day in New York City… well afternoon, I was a little bit slow in getting up yesterday after a few too many beers at Rory Dolans Irish Pub. I caught the Metro North Line into Grand Central Station (wow what a pretty building), had a juice in Bryant Park, then jumped on the hop on hop off bus and did a hot lap around downtown and made it home for an amazing dinner Carolyn cooked of meatloaf, creamy brussel sprouts, tomatoe mozzarella and basil, and Louisiana crunch cake.

October 16 – New York City today was a visit to Rockafella up to the observatory for 360° views of the city (After waiting in line then another line then another…), uptown hop on hop off bus, subway ride…

October 17 – Quiet rainy day… Paul took me to Costco and we bought an itty bitty pumpkin for me to make a Halloween pumpkin and had Cajun Steak and beans for dinner and I attempted a chocolate nutty fudge that because chocolate nutty fudge cake because cocao nibs don’t melt… and a slice of pepperoni while we were at Costco for $2! They had beer advent calendars 👀

October 18 – NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM!!!

October 19 – lazy day

October 20 – lazy day

October 21 – Pumpkin picking, corn maze, apple cider, pie with Carolyn’s family down on Long Island

October 22 – Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island trip today. Stunning weather for a ferry ride across the bay. Walking tour with Carolyn Tully… the history was amazing – nearly 12 million people came through Ellis Island immigrating to the USA. Humbling standing in the halls where millions of people have been before! What a respectful and emotional memorial the 9/11 museum is… just a few teary moment wandering around today with Carolyn. The mind blowing tragedy that day was in New York City and amazing how the city rallied in a horrific time. The missing towers are like an invisible scar in the city skyline.

October 23 – Spa Day!!!!! Hot pools, sauna, ice room, hot bath, Korean Korean Body Scrub… it was AMAZING and so relaxing. Great thing to do on a cold misty cloudy day. Oh and all a whole state away in New Jersey. PUMPKIN CARVING 🎃 so excited at how cool our pumpkins turned out! Went pumpkin picking on the weekend and carved them tonight. Paul went 🎃🎃🎃🎃 difficulty while Carolyn’s bat and my scary face were 🎃🎃 difficulty. It’s looking like a spooky Halloween now. OMG BEST ITALIAN EVER!!!!!!!! Ate wayyyyyy toooooo much but it was sooooooo good! We had calamari, baked clams and soup for appetizer then lasagne, carbonara, and gnocchi for mains and then cannoli, tiramisu and dessert pizza and then Irish Bailey’s coffee…

October 24 – Today’s exploration included lunch and a hike around Caumsett State Park on Long Island, caught up with Amy in Huntington and then Carolyn surprised me with a spooky trip to Bayville Scream Park 😱🤡👻👹😈🧟‍♀️🧛‍♀️

October 25 – Coney Island! Went to the New York Aquarium and wandered down the board walk (Luna Park was shut) apparently due to weather this time of season ha ha even thought it was a glorious day and I striped off 3 layers to just my t-shirt. Then back to the city to Broadway. Had French for dinner with Carolyn, I had escargot and mussels and the cute French waiters gave us free chocolate mousse for dessert. Then Wicked on Broadway which was AMAZING! And sneaky night cap at Rory’s one last time.

October 26 – plane ride to Vegas

October 27 – shenanigans with the crew arriving from Australia. First drinks together at the Golden Nugget

October 28 – Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay which included the aquarium and polar interactive, caught the tram down a couple hotels, into the M&M store, and then we went to The Mob Museum (really interesting bit of American history), and hanging around on Freemont Street at night.

October 29 – Quiet day today at the Container Park finally found a quiet sunny area away from all the people and a few hours setting up SIM cards 🥵

October 30 – Red Bus around town… Crazy kids did the rollercoaster at New York New York. Pink stretch limo for Janet and Judy’s birthday.

October 31 exploring new Vegas strip

November 1 – Tournament of Kings at Excalibur was great! Good food and great show… Team Dragon all the way! Huzzah!

November 2 – Today’s adventure the Hoover Dam and the Historical Museum at Boulder and Grand Canyon West visiting Eagle Point and Guano Point. From the Grand Canyon Skywalk… 4,000ft down to the bottom of the canyon!!! Beautiful views and great to see over the edge – you just don’t get that perspective standing on the ledge.

November 3 – Quietish day yesterday… Took the rental car back and walked back along the strip stopping in at a few hotels along the way to check them out… The Wynn had a circular escalator and a waterfall, quick stop passed the Venetian and the gondola, had lunch at Virgils. Lazy afternoon and then off to Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity at New York New York.

November 4 – Last Day in the USofA… went to Crown & Anchor for breakfast, Pinball Hall and Neon Museum. Great last day with a bit of fun and old school arcade games.