A Thanksgiving Odyssey: Bands, Buses, and Big Bad Balloons (Completed!!!)

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Chapter 2: Rock This Town (Day 2 - Tuesday)

Part 2: Uncharted Territory

Taking that first step into a new realm will evoke different responses form different folks. It can range from trepidation and fear to exhilaration. Either way there will be a bit of an adrenalin rush. For the most part, everyone in our group was looking forward to finally entering that foreign land of urban legend and film-induced myth known as New York.

With rehearsals finally out of the way for the day and all the administrative functions cleared up (for now), we climbed back onto our various coaches and jumped onto the interstates bound for Midtown. The rain had been very light and intermittent all morning and the mist and muck were finally starting to clear just a bit as well. This being the case, it was while rolling up the highway that we finally got a visual confirmation that Manhattan actually did exist.





The ride in was somewhat troubled. I nearly titled this section of the TR “Road Blocks”. We quickly hit out first delay… a toll stop (not really a big deal, just an impedance to the progress, although… these are rather rare inconveniences in the Carolinas).





No sooner did we get the coaches back in line then things started bogging down again. As it turned out, some unfortunate sole found that his or her subcompact had suddenly become part of the roadway’s brickwork when a considerably larger truck decided that it needed to occupy the exact same point in space. Despite Hollywood’s best CG moments, the laws of Physics still hold sway on this planet and the smaller object lost that battle.





At least we weren’t on the other side of that center barrier… those folks were going to be waiting for a long while (we were just dealing wit the rubber-neck effect). Next site on our grand introduction to the Big Apple… More toll.





This one was to enter the Lincoln Tunnel.





Imagine a $24 charge on a daily basses just to get yourself to and back form work (heck, I can even justify spending five bucks on lunch during the workweek… that just wouldn’t fly… I guarantee you that I’d learn very quickly to work with the mass transit system).

We rolled through the center tube of the tunnel complex and emerged in the Hell’s Kitchen area heading north on Dyer, where we immediately came to another halt at the intersection of 40th.





I can’t say exactly what was causing the problems here, but it took a good dozen cycles of the traffic lights and our drivers decision to go ahead and plug up the middle of the intersection for one of them before we were able to cross 40th. It did give me a chance to look around and snap a quick image or two of the kind of quirky local flavor that is unique to cities much larger then what I’m used to…








$350 for hitting the horn button! I guess it’s the untold scores of movies representing life in New York that had me thinking that the din of an auto-horn symphony was a constant feature of life in this borough.

Our caravan continued on into midtown and finally got to where they could drop us off in the heart of Rockefeller Center; the first stop on this adventure. As our group hit the pavement we were welcomed by a great holiday fanfare!





Ain’t buyin’ it ar ya’.


Well, you’re right. No one even flinched.

Busses and coaches drop hoards of people onto the streets constantly; we were just an annoyance to the locals trying to make their way between 5th and 6th Avenues that day.

Once on the ground, all were gathered in the plaza at the foot of the main tower (the 70 floor GE Building more commonly known as: “30 Rock”) and waited for our marching orders.





The word was passed that we had about an hour and a bit to grab some lunch or whatever before we needed to meet back at this spot for our first group-touring event of the trip. As for the time being…

we were on our own.

Being as we’d had a fairly large breakfast, and dinner was scheduled for around four-ish today, the immediate decision was to forego lunch on this day and use this little bit of free time to just walk around the plaza. First stop… the world famous ice rink…





Having arrived during the week of Thanksgiving, but prior to the actual day… we got a fine glimpse of the famous 30-Rock Christmas tree… serving it’s sentence behind bars. Crews were still finishing up the installation, and the scaffolding obscured pretty much everything, including Paul Manship's well-known bronze of Prometheus recumbent. Here’s a better image taken by a considerably better photographer of how it ought to look (less the big ol’ tree of course)





Interestingly, although this is one of the most recognizable sculptures in the US, the artist himself wasn’t all that fond of the piece. Public art can be found throughout the entire “Rock Center” complex (which adds much charm and magic if you ask me), but surprisingly, this marks a turning point in the history of architectural sculpture, as it is among the last major building projects in the United States to purposely incorporate a program of integrated public art. Too bad… but there is no shortage of said public art through out the plaza.





(Try to ignore the gruesome fella there ruining an otherwise fine view of another Manship work [this one titled “Maiden”] and the entombed tannenbaum of course). Hummmm… I wonder if that last image will get me banned from the boards? Oh well… from here we headed toward 5th Ave just to see what we could see. What we could see (smack across the street) was St Patrick’s Cathedral…





I would really liked to have had the time to stroll over there and poke around a bit… but as it would turn out, side trips were going to be difficult to add in this entire week. When you have such a large group you have to pick and chose your activities and hold to a fairly tight schedule. But then again… I now just have more reasons to travel back here in the future.

Since we were actually in the city it occurred to us that we probably ought to document the fact, so my SIL snapped this little photo of my lovely bride and the questionable ogre that she foolishly married.





That counts as proof that we were actually there and I didn’t make up the entire expedition. Oh… and here’s a close up of that plaque just in case you were dying to know just what it said…





And just for good measure… another shot of the tower from a Fifth Avenue prospective.





From this point it was decided to make our way back toward the center and just rummage around the shops. After a bit of this random knocking about, the concept of thirst was beginning to make it’s self known. The group began to see the notion of coffee as a justifiable solution to that problem and a potential curb on the appetite as well (given the savory nature of the brew). While waiting for an elevator to the lower concourse, we ran across another group of adults from our expedition and learned that they’d, only just arrived on site. Thus we learned about the Saga of Bus-5. It turns out that Tail-End-Charlie got into a bit of a fender-bender. Not our driver’s fault, but it still took the NYPD to straighten everything out and write up the reports (and apparently some serious meds to calm down the driver that had their beloved BMW redecorated by imprinting the image of a bus bumper into its panels). I’m glad I wasn’t on that coach. Our ride in was plenty long enough without having to deal with an irate local in a center of a midtown Manhattan intersection.

After finding a pretty good cup of coffee, we noticed that the clocks on the walls we’re beginning to sound warning alarms. Time to head back up and meet the rest of the folks for the first signature event of the day. Back up at street level the kids and adults alike were starting to gather in the plaza at the foot of the caged Christmas tree. There are flagpoles surrounding the skating rink there and depending on the day you may encounter any number of banners. On this day, they were brandishing the flags of the various states and territories in the union. I found it quite auspicious that the flag holding down the corner where we were instructed to meet was a rather recognizable banner form our point of view…





While we were gathering, one of the other parents caught this moment where a group or our young’ens (including Max there on the far left) were striking a pose with one of New York’s finest…





A great moment, and I appreciate that they shared that picture with us. This image also bears mute testament to the fact that he’d pretty much spent all his extra walking cash for the week. Weeks before the trip, nearly all the guys in the band were discussing the one Mecca in NY that they unanimously wanted to hit right off: The fabled Nintendo Store at Rockefeller Center. Obviously… they had accomplished their mission (don’t worry, he still had money for food and snacks, this was just the bucks he pulled out of savings specifically for souvenirs and whatnots).

Well now that every one was all gathered together and we’d taken a proper head count…
it was time to for our next sojourn.





A bit of sightseeing that would included a fairly significant vertical component…

[cj9200]

After reading your dissertation, I came to the conclusion that you spent too much time on an omnibus, tram, trolley or other such mode of transportation on this trip. And you left one out. It is called the Duck. A touristy thing to do in Miami.

[afwdwfan]

It may be the most economical thing to haul all the vehicles on the carrier, which is why it absolutely shocks me that they did it. Since when does the US government ever do things the most economical way?

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

This being the case, it was while rolling up the highway that we finally got a visual confirmation that Manhattan actually did exist.

I guess you really weren't just making this whole thing up.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Despite Hollywood’s best CG moments, the laws of Physics still hold sway on this planet and the smaller object lost that battle.

Are you telling me that car chases in movies aren't feasible based on physics???? That's blasphemy!

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Imagine a $24 charge on a daily basses just to get yourself to and back form work (heck, I can even justify spending five bucks on lunch during the workweek… that just wouldn’t fly… I guarantee you that I’d learn very quickly to work with the mass transit system).

I think I'd turn around... Yep, I've seen the skyline. Good enough.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Being as we’d had a fairly large breakfast, and dinner was scheduled for around four-ish today, the immediate decision was to forego lunch on this day and use this little bit of free time to just walk around the plaza. First stop… the world famous ice rink…

Good idea. You definitely need to take advantage of a little bit of time to explore.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Hummmm… I wonder if that last image will get me banned from the boards?

Where's a mod when you need one.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Since we were actually in the city it occurred to us that we probably ought to document the fact, so my SIL snapped this little photo of my lovely bride and the questionable ogre that she foolishly married.

Yet more photographic confirmation that the trip actually did happen.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Thus we learned about the Saga of Bus-5. It turns out that Tail-End-Charlie got into a bit of a fender-bender.

Welcome to New York!

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

A great moment, and I appreciate that they shared that picture with us. This image also bears mute testament to the fact that he’d pretty much spent all his extra walking cash for the week.

That's the first thing I noticed in that picture. I saw the big bag with Mario on it and thought he must have laid down some serious cash. That bag's big enough to hold about 20 games or so.

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Originally Posted by cj9200

After reading your dissertation, I came to the conclusion that you spent too much time on an omnibus, tram, trolley or other such mode of transportation on this trip. And you left one out. It is called the Duck. A touristy thing to do in Miami.

I see that they’re purpose building new versions of these vehicles now.
Supposedly, the idea originating in Boston when some one thought to buy a surplus DUKW from the us military…





Paint it yellow and start offering amphibious tours of the city. I saw them all over DC on our last Non-Dis vacation.





But since it’s basically a day tour vehicle with open sides…
It just another version of a Charabanc.

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

It may be the most economical thing to haul all the vehicles on the carrier, which is why it absolutely shocks me that they did it. Since when does the US government ever do things the most economical way?

Uncharacteristically thrifty to be sure

You asked me to tie busses to aircraft carriers…
I found a way to tie busses to aircraft carriers.

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

I guess you really weren't just making this whole thing up.

So far as you know

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

Are you telling me that car chases in movies aren't feasible based on physics???? That's blasphemy!

The truth can be a harsh mistress.

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

I think I'd turn around... Yep, I've seen the skyline. Good enough.

Naaaa… we were already committed by this time (committed to what… that can be questioned, but we were committed).

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

Good idea. You definitely need to take advantage of a little bit of time to explore.

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

Where's a mod when you need one.

It’s not like I did that on purpose…

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

Yet more photographic confirmation that the trip actually did happen.

So far as you know…
**cough**photoshop**cough**

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

Welcome to New York!

And a rude one at that.

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

That's the first thing I noticed in that picture. I saw the big bag with Mario on it and thought he must have laid down some serious cash. That bag's big enough to hold about 20 games or so.

Excellent marketing on Nintendo’s part. He bought one game and a book. They only had a couple sizes of bag, so they tossed that into the biggest one thay had (instant walking billboard). It’s also interesting that it’s the guys who are carrying the bags-o-merchandise… goes against conventional wisdom.

[Captain_Oblivious]

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

And in South Carolina there are several passenger ferries that provide the only viable access to Fort Sumter in the middle of Charleston Harbor.

Researching...

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

We quickly hit out first delay… a toll stop (not really a big deal, just an impedance to the progress, although… these are rather rare inconveniences in the Carolinas).

I think state law in NJ requires a tool booth roughly every 1/4 mile.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Imagine a $24 charge on a daily basses just to get yourself to and back form work (heck, I can even justify spending five bucks on lunch during the workweek… that just wouldn’t fly… I guarantee you that I’d learn very quickly to work with the mass transit system).

NY and DC are the 2 cities that I just won't drive into, unless there's no other choice.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

I can’t say exactly what was causing the problems here,

I'll give you a hint: you were in NYC.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Not quite as festive with all that scaffolding, is it? I imagine this is what your tree usually looks like as well as you put it together, right?

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Public art can be found throughout the entire “Rock Center” complex (which adds much charm and magic if you ask me), but surprisingly, this marks a turning point in the history of architectural sculpture, as it is among the last major building projects in the United States to purposely incorporate a program of integrated public art. Too bad… but there is no shortage of said public art through out the plaza.

I agree. Good art makes a place unique, and bad art means we can make all sorts of jokes in our TR's.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Since we were actually in the city it occurred to us that we probably ought to document the fact, so my SIL snapped this little photo of my lovely bride and the questionable ogre that she foolishly married.

She doesn't appear to have any regrets.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Thus we learned about the Saga of Bus-5. It turns out that Tail-End-Charlie got into a bit of a fender-bender. Not our driver’s fault, but it still took the NYPD to straighten everything out and write up the reports (and apparently some serious meds to calm down the driver that had their beloved BMW redecorated by imprinting the image of a bus bumper into its panels).

The bus usually wins those collisions.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

While we were gathering, one of the other parents caught this moment where a group or our young’ens (including Max there on the far left) were striking a pose with one of New York’s finest…

Great, candid shot. They all look like they're having fun.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

The fabled Nintendo Store at Rockefeller Center. Obviously… they had accomplished their mission (don’t worry, he still had money for food and snacks, this was just the bucks he pulled out of savings specifically for souvenirs and whatnots).

Surely they offered student discounts in NYC.

Looking forward to Top of the Rock!

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Researching...

One leaves form the city marina; south side of the peninsula on the Ashley River nearer to the Citadel, the other leaves from Patriots Point.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

I think state law in NJ requires a tool booth roughly every 1/4 mile.

Now it all makes sense.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

NY and DC are the 2 cities that I just won't drive into, unless there's no other choice.

I done seen it… an’ I’z got’s to agree.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

I'll give you a hint: you were in NYC.

Again… it’s all starting to become clear

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Not quite as festive with all that scaffolding, is it? I imagine this is what your tree usually looks like as well as you put it together, right?

Sure… you have to keep them wild trees caged up or they can do lot of damage.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

I agree. Good art makes a place unique, and bad art means we can make all sorts of jokes in our TR's.

Jokes in TRs… now why didn’t I think of that.

Most of what was here would be considered Art Decco in style.
I looked high and low for something more modern, but alas...
there were no gigantic chrome platted kidney beans to be found.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

She doesn't appear to have any regrets.

No she doesn’t... does she?

I may need to get her examined… I’m a might concerned that she might just be nuts.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

The bus usually wins those collisions.

It did.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Great, candid shot. They all look like they're having fun.

Yah it was. I'm glad to have that one. It’s all we can do to get Max to smile so you have to be very quick and prepared to catch him in the moments when he doesn’t think he’s being watched.

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Surely they offered student discounts in NYC.

Shirley wasn’t working that day or he might have gotten a better deal.

I’m certain that the folks in Charlotte would have cut him some slac… ummmmm… never mind.

[FreezinRafiki]

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

The same would be true if you were either carrying you own “Bailey Bridge” (which is unlikely)

Quite a bit of nostalgia that little sentance brought up. I would spend hours as a youth playing with my GI Joe Bridgelayer.



You would think all that experience would have sent me down the path to be a DOT engineer. Thank goodness that didn't happen.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

or just happened to be on an amphibious bus.

More nostalgia in the same sentence! I love taking the Duck tours in Wisconsin Dells.



I see you're already familiar with these WWII beauties from your reply to CJ, so I won't go into it here. Except to say that during one of our tours on the ducks, we were carefully navigating a steep wooded area on the banks of the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton. As we traversed a steep drop-off, our tour guide invited is to noticed the thin wire fence just off the path, were the drop off began. He said that we should not take comfort that the fence would prevent our fall. It was made of chicken wire and we were, after all, riding in a duck.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

So what exactly is a ferry?

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Well… it’s a bus.

Oh, that kind of ferry. I thought we were talking about something else...

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

…with “Elizabeth" once carrying a record number of 15,028 troops in one single trip.

Must have been hard to get spa reservations on that cruise.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

(You probably should have mentioned that this picture is the USS John C. Stennis, not the Reagan. People might get confused.)

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

We quickly hit out first delay… a toll stop (not really a big deal, just an impedance to the progress, although… these are rather rare inconveniences in the Carolinas).

We don't have them here in Wisconsin, but if we want to go "south of the border" to Illinois, they are mostly unavoidable. I quickly invested in one of their electronic tolling devices, which not only lets you zip through the toll plaza at 65mph, but only costs half of the cash fee!

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Imagine a $24 charge on a daily basses just to get yourself to and back form work (heck, I can even justify spending five bucks on lunch during the workweek… that just wouldn’t fly… I guarantee you that I’d learn very quickly to work with the mass transit system).

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Interestingly, although this is one of the most recognizable sculptures in the US, the artist himself wasn’t all that fond of the piece. Public art can be found throughout the entire “Rock Center” complex (which adds much charm and magic if you ask me), but surprisingly, this marks a turning point in the history of architectural sculpture, as it is among the last major building projects in the United States to purposely incorporate a program of integrated public art. Too bad… but there is no shortage of said public art through out the plaza.

I'll be the first to admit - I don't "get" a lot of art. Statues of people (real or mythological) are neat to look at, but large pieces of twisted steel doesn't evoke very strong emotions from me. That being said, I'd much rather see installations of public art that I don't understand than just building after building after building.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

I found it quite auspicious that the flag holding down the corner where we were instructed to meet was a rather recognizable banner form our point of view…

Hmmm...a little advance scouting by the planning team or sheer dumb luck?

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

The fabled Nintendo Store at Rockefeller Center. Obviously… they had accomplished their mission (don’t worry, he still had money for food and snacks, this was just the bucks he pulled out of savings specifically for souvenirs and whatnots).

Well....what'd he get?

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Quite a bit of nostalgia that little sentance brought up. I would spend hours as a youth playing with my GI Joe Bridgelayer.

Cool! I’m glad someone picked up on that one and ran with it.

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

You would think all that experience would have sent me down the path to be a DOT engineer. Thank goodness that didn't happen.

Barry lobs one from the backcourt and Mark set up for the return strick… how do you suppose he will play this one sports fans?

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

More nostalgia in the same sentence! I love taking the Duck tours in Wisconsin Dells.



I see you're already familiar with these WWII beauties from your reply to CJ, so I won't go into it here. Except to say that during one of our tours on the ducks, we were carefully navigating a steep wooded area on the banks of the Wisconsin River and Lake Delton. As we traversed a steep drop-off, our tour guide invited is to noticed the thin wire fence just off the path, were the drop off began. He said that we should not take comfort that the fence would prevent our fall. It was made of chicken wire and we were, after all, riding in a duck.

You gotta love a joke that takes that long to set up only to fizzle that horribly.

Oh… and I’m sure that you’ve figured that I’m familiar with a lot of different types of military vehicles, but feel free to embellish and expound…

I figured I’d abused the rest of y’all enough, but be my guest.

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Wrong Spelling…

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Oh, that kind of ferry. I thought we were talking about something else...

Ding, ding, ding…

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Must have been hard to get spa reservations on that cruise.

I suspect that the sommelier was somewhat frazzled as well.

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

(You probably should have mentioned that this picture is the USS John C. Stennis, not the Reagan. People might get confused.)

Caught that did you? Well… you are correct sir.
I just like the juxtaposition of the two types of craft in the image.

That is the Stennis in the background. I suspect that the she was headed toward Bremerton at the time.

The small ferry in the foreground is the MV Steilacoom II which is part of the Pierce County (Washington) ferry system. It currently services the Anderson Island - Ketron Island – Steilacoom route. But the image was more likely taken while it was being leased by the Washington State Ferry system to run between Port Townsend and Keyston.

(I have an Aunt and Uncle who are both retired from the WA State Ferry system and live on the Olympic peninsula… which helps explain my interest in such things)

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

We don't have them here in Wisconsin, but if we want to go "south of the border" to Illinois, they are mostly unavoidable. I quickly invested in one of their electronic tolling devices, which not only lets you zip through the toll plaza at 65mph, but only costs half of the cash fee!

Good plan… or you could avoid Illinois.

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

I'll be the first to admit - I don't "get" a lot of art. Statues of people (real or mythological) are neat to look at, but large pieces of twisted steel doesn't evoke very strong emotions from me. That being said, I'd much rather see installations of public art that I don't understand than just building after building after building.

Modern art tends to leave me looking for something else to look at. But I also agree that any art is better then any trash pile (unless the trash pile is in the middle of a swanky art gallery… then I guess it is art… Right?)

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Hmmm...a little advance scouting by the planning team or sheer dumb luck?

Dumb luck… Hay now!

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Well....what'd he get?

One game and a book dealing with some of the more secret secrets hidden in said game (part of the Zelda series I believe, but don’t hold my feet to the fire on that one).

[FreezinRafiki]

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

You gotta love a joke that takes that long to set up only to fizzle that horribly.

Now that I think about it, it may have been "if it can stop a chicken, it can stop a duck." Either way, it was pure punny goodness.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Oh… and I’m sure that you’ve figured that I’m familiar with a lot of different types of military vehicles, but feel free to embellish and expound…

Sure, let me tell you everything I know about them:
They make really cool tour vehicles in tourist destinations.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

I suspect that the sommelier was somewhat frazzled as well.

We have a wonderful 1929 Bordeaux that will go well with your MRE.

Got any whiskey?
But of course, sir.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

I just like the juxtaposition of the two types of craft in the image.

So do I. I was just giving you a hard time.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Good plan… or you could avoid Illinois.

You're the amateur cartographer. Find me a route from Racine to Orlando that avoids Illinois and doesn't add 10 hours to my trip. (Or $400 in Ferry fees)

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Modern art tends to leave me looking for something else to look at. But I also agree that any art is better then any trash pile (unless the trash pile is in the middle of a swanky art gallery… then I guess it is art… Right?)

I read an article a few months ago about a janitor in an art museum that started cleaning a pile of trash that turned out to be an installation.

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

You're the amateur cartographer. Find me a route from Racine to Orlando that avoids Illinois and doesn't add 10 hours to my trip. (Or $400 in Ferry fees)

Details, details…
Are you tellin’ me that the infamous Minivan of Doom isn’t amphibious!

I’m shocked… SHOCKED I tell you.

OK… I can’t add ten hours… I’ll buy that one, but the ferry ride seems like a great addition to the trip if you ask me (until you get to the $400 dollar bit of the equation).

Oh! I got it! Got to DL instead. Sure it’s at least one third farther away from Racine, but you’d be able to completely avoid Illinois.

[Captain_Oblivious]

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

You would think all that experience would have sent me down the path to be a DOT engineer. Thank goodness that didn't happen.

Exactly. You would have found out that we don't get to use any equipment that's anywhere near as fun as the stuff GI Joe gets to use.

[FreezinRafiki]

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Details, details…
Are you tellin’ me that the infamous Minivan of Doom isn’t amphibious!

I can't comment on that. It's classified information.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

OK… I can’t add ten hours… I’ll buy that one, but the ferry ride seems like a great addition to the trip if you ask me (until you get to the $400 dollar bit of the equation).

While the ride may be fun, it's certainly not practical. It's an extra half hour north, then 2 1/2 hours across the lake, just to make the rest of the drive...15 minutes longer that if I had just driven from home.

Originally Posted by GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes

Oh! I got it! Got to DL instead. Sure it’s at least one third farther away from Racine, but you’d be able to completely avoid Illinois.

Now there's an idea!

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

Exactly. You would have found out that we don't get to use any equipment that's anywhere near as fun as the stuff GI Joe gets to use.

You mean you guys don't have fighter jets that fly in space?

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

While the ride may be fun, it's certainly not practical. It's an extra half hour north, then 2 1/2 hours across the lake, just to make the rest of the drive...15 minutes longer that if I had just driven from home.

Now, if I read that right…
it’s no wonder you don’t wan to drive through Illinois.

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

Now there's an idea!

Originally Posted by FreezinRafiki

You mean you guys don't have fighter jets that fly in space?

I’m pretty sure they don’t even have atomic jackhammers

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I left off a pretty good picture from Rockefeller Plaza. This is the statue of Atlas that faces fifth Ave. You don’t need to see it… But I like it so there you go.








Now, I have a tendency to take pictures that the rest of my family consider to be somewhat…


Odd.


They tell a store, but in their own way and generally only from the point of view of my eye (as it saw that particular thing at the time). Since these wont do much good in advancing the actual story line of the this TR in general…

I’ve decided to toss a few of them out here as “previews for things to come (for that purpose, they may just work pretty well). So, with that goal in mind.. I now present a “preview” of things to come in Chapter 3 and in the morning of Chapter 5 (we were rather busy on something else during Chapter 4)


















I'll be back in a minute....

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

And here’s a few more that offer up a preview form the bulk of Chapter 5. I pretty sure that some of y’all will recognize some of this stuff and get a pretty good idea of exactly where we’ll be heading in the near.