Off to New York, to celebrate Ryleigh's Golden Birthday.

Flight to New York was OK. I really need a private jet, the plane was crowded and no leg room. Ryleigh didn't care for the window and wanted to sit in between dad and I, giving the window. The clouds were amazing. The clouds looked cracked or like erosion on the side of a cliff. Tried to sleep but I couldn't with Ryleigh sleeping on me. But I loved every minute of it.

Getting Closer.

Landed in New York. Looks its on my phone.

The cab drinver is driving like a New York cab driving...crazy and dangerous.

Well we are in New York and it's raining cats and dogs. Plus it was hot in the cap.

3.6 miles away and it will take us 18 minutes. I can walk faster. Traffic.

Chris's first beer in New York

I love the building in New York. Close together, they build up. The Perfect Pint is 3 floors and a roof top.

We needed to kill sometime before checking in at the hotel and we are hungry... food. We went for a late lunch at this Irish pub called The Perfect Pint. It was literally right next door to our hotel. I enjoy good Irish food, Chris love a good Irish beer, while Ryleigh was unsure about the food selection. But Ryleigh agreed to be open on food choices, as long as we got him a New York hot dog.

It was yummy.

You are in New York, get off your phones.

Ryleigh got a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich (at an Irish Pub, great job trying something new). It was delicious and Ryleigh was just happy with it, he just wishes the sandwich had a top bun.

I got the Shepherd's Pie, worth it.

Finally get checked in and the place isn't cleaned. Yuck. Shit.

This was unfortunate, more time out of our room.

We decided to dress warmly and venture out to start our new adventure. We are in New York, it's freezing, raining, and we can't wait to explore. I can't wait to have this experience with Ryleigh and Chris.

We didn't have a destination, no plans, just walk and see where we end up at.

'Ryleigh look up'. We are in New York City, the builds look like they touch the sky. We walked with out heads looking up and the tall building. There were so many lights everywhere, all the way to the top. Ryleigh said he neck might hurt tomorrow...

The cold and rain made the streets look like ice, shiny.

Lucky for us our hotel had umbrellas for us to barrow.

Umbrella makes for a crappy selfie. I wanted to lights and building in the background.

New York Public Library

The library is closed but I will get in there before we leave back to Denver. Number 1 place I want to see on Ryleigh's birthday trip. Ryleigh is curious too, I hope.

42nd Street and 5th Avenue. New York Public Library, detail of Bronze entrance door.

Chris played Pokemon for Layden, while Ryleigh and I explored the outer building of the Library. We loved the Art Deco designs on the walls, and the elaborate door designs.

Pictures with umbrella again, it's ok I love Ryleigh's face.

Standing at the entry of the Library down the stair.

Library path to the street lined with trees. I feel like dancing in the rain.

Library Status. Ryleigh love to naked breast. He just turned 15.

Ryleigh name this building the Illuminati Building.

Bryant Park.

As we walked behind the New York Public Library we came across Bryant Park. It was happening. Ice Staking with a huge Christmas Tree. A Winter Village, Manhattan's winter wonderland, holiday shops, bars, food, and just a good time. We walked in the shops, and watched the ice skaters (Ryleigh didn't want to skate, too cold), and looked for dessert.

Ok, I got sick, stomach is hurting. I decided to cut the walking short and head to the hotel. Chris made sure they walked my to 3rd street so I get have a short walk alone. The boys stayed out a bit long, and got dinner.

Christmas Trees.

We are staying at Club Wyndham Midtown 45.

205 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017

This hotel is very deference from the Wyndham resorts we typically stay in. Midtown is more like a hotel, which is perfect for our trip.

Wyndham Midtown 45 is within walking distance of Grand Central Station, the midtown Manhattan business district, Madison Avenue, Park Avenue restaurants and Fifth Avenue shopping. Because of its central location, all other world-famous sights and trendy neighborhood hot spots are just a short subway or taxi ride away.

Day 2: December 17th, 2018

There are somethings that are on our itinerary that must be marked off... Statue of Liberty is a must.

We walked to Grand Central Station to take a train from 45 street to Liberty Park. Ryleigh for the most part didn't mind the train but was stocked with the people on drugs and the homeless.

When we got to Liberty Park there where salesman every where, selling us on tour trips to see to Statue of Liberty. We bought from Tours R Us. Back Choice. They only expected cash which should have been the first sign this wasn't going to be an experience we want. They put us on a bus and drove us to NJ. WTF. I thought we where going to die or get robbed.

The Green of Hearts Fairy to the Statue of Liberty. It was old, dirty, gross, and I was super unhappy when we got on. But we were here for Ryleigh and we were going to laugh at this experience and make the most out of it.

It was cold but we wanted to area to stand on the bow of the boat for pictures.

As we left NJ we had a great view of NY.

Ellis Island. Dad and I talked to Ryleigh about the island during the time of immigration inspections from the time 1892 to 1954. Ellis Island processed approximately 12 million immigrants to the country through the Port of New York and New Jersey. Ellis Island is now a museum.

The Statue of Liberty.

A gift from the people of France to the people of the United States, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel. The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

The statue is a figure of Libertas, a robed Roman liberty goddess. She holds a torch above her head with her right hand, and in her left hand carries a tabula ansata inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals), the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. A broken shackle and chain lie at her feet as she walks forward, commemorating the recent national abolition of slavery. After its dedication, the statue became an icon of freedom and of the United States; it has been a welcoming sight to immigrants arriving by sea.

Ryleigh smile lite up the boat as he watched the Statue of Liberty get closer and closer. It was exciting to see. It had been 30 years since I have seen it. And 20 for dad.

New York has history, we should learn it, understand it, and learn from it.

Chris looks at the Statue of Liberty, as I can't help to look at the new World Trade Center.

Selfie. We are living an awesome life together.

Amazing they they made this in 1875

History of the statue of liberty in pieces Construction began in 1875 and was not completed until 1884. Crews worked round the clock, seven days a week, for nine years to finish the Statue of Liberty. When it was complete in 1885, the statue was disassembled into 350 pieces, shipped to New York City, and reassembled.

On the boat we met two gay men from England. They told us story of their lives, and their journey in New York. It was fun to meet new people.

As the fairy turned around to head back, we took in the city scape of New York and New Jersey. We looked closer to Ellis Island, and had the Statue of Liberty in our back ground.

The Brooklyn Bridge

A crazy thing about New York, is you can't help but to think about 9/11. You marvel at the new World Trade Center and think about the tragedy of 9/11. It over shadows the history, the architect, the sky-rise building.

The experience of see the Statue of Liberty was eventful. Our journey to the fairy, the history of so much around us, the beautiful in the landscape, meeting interesting people on the boat. This experience was worth every second.

The bus brought us back to NY to drop us off wherever, and we did just that. We jumped off the bus near the One World Trade Center. I knew I wanted to see Ground Zero.

One World Trade Center can't be described by worlds alone. You can't help but to see the power of the US. Taking a tragedy and showing our ability to come back harder and stronger.

Ground Zero.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring 9/11, documenting its impact, and examining its continuing significance. Honoring those who were killed in the 2001.

The 9/11 Memorial is a tribute of remembrance, honoring the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993.

Located on eight acres of the 16-acre World Trade Center complex, the 9/11 Memorial is a place of remembrance and contemplation within the bustle of lower Manhattan.

The focal points of the Memorial are two pools, each nearly an acre in size, that sit in the footprints of the former North and South Towers. The pools contain the largest manmade waterfalls in North America, each descending 30 feet into a square basin. From there, the water in each pool drops another 20 feet and disappears into a smaller, central void.

The names of the 2,983 people who were killed in the 2001 and 1993 terrorist attacks are inscribed on bronze parapets edging the memorial pools. The names are grouped by the locations and circumstances in which victims found themselves during the attacks. The North Pool parapets include the names of those who were killed at the North Tower, on hijacked Flight 11, and in the 1993 bombing. The South Pool parapets include the names of first responders as well as victims who were killed at the South Tower, on hijacked Flight 175, at the Pentagon, on hijacked Flight 77, and on hijacked Flight 93.

Within these groupings, names are arranged in a system of “meaningful adjacencies.” Friends and colleagues appear together, as well as the crews of each of the four flights and first responder agencies and units. Additionally, during the Memorial’s development, victims’ next of kin were invited to request that their loved ones’ names be inscribed alongside specific others. In this way, those who were connected in life reside together on the Memorial.

We continue to walk and explore.

We walked to no where to go, just the desire to explore, knowing at any time we can jump in a cab and get back to our hotel if we got tired. Ryleigh love the art work on the builds.

As we walked we came across Chinatown. Chris couldn't wait to show us. Time to shop, we promise the other kids we would bring them home something. The employees of the small shops would ask, hats, purse, cocaine... It was nothing to them, just another day of selling cocaine on the streets.

We were also hungry. Ryleigh would make eye contact and say 'me food'. Chinatown town, no. Somehow we where in Little Italy. Every time we walked passed a restaurant their waiters and waitress would try to sell us on their restaurant. I'm an easy sale when I'm hungry because I just want to eat, which makes for bad choices. When ate at an Italian Restaurant, it was ok.

After we eat we were ready for a nap, so we headed back to the hotel for a rest.

On the way back I couldn't help myself ... I wanted a sweet for the hotel. Chris took us through Grand Central Station Market where I got giant Macaron Cookies. Yummy and worth every bite.

We laid down in the hotel for a couple of hours. Chris and I napped and Ryleigh played on his phone. It was needed. Now on to around to of exploring. We got ready to leave for the evening.

First stop the roof top of our hotel.

We were high but it didn't seem that way with the even larger building surrounding us. All of us took pictures, enjoyed the view, and froze our butts off.

Given the temperature was so cold we didn't enjoy the roof top for too long. But it the weather would have been nicer I would have spent a lot of time up there.

Day 2 Evening Adventure

We took a walk to Time Square, it wasn't hard to miss the amazing Christmas trees lite up a long the way. Christmas in New York is awesome, they decorate all throughout the city. Christmas are decorated with themes of colors, animals, and creative way to advertise their business or building. We try to stop and take a picture very chance we get at the Christmas trees we see.

Time Square NYC

Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center, and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. The streets are jammed packed with people and the stores advertise sales driving in hundreds of people for the street.

We were sight seeing. Walking taking pictures, not having any really plans. I tried to get Ryleigh to buy a NY sweatshirt, hat, something, he wasn't really into it. Until we got to the Adidas store... Dominic Theim Tennis Clothes. Now we are shopping. Ryleigh got a couple shirts and 1 pants from the collection, and the bug to shop was on. Ryleigh got a NY sweatshirt, went to Guess and got a $100 sweat jacket. He really wanted a Wool-Cashmere Coat but the cost was crazy expenses and he wasn't sure if he would wear it in Colorado. So he passed.

Taking pictures of Ryleigh taking pictures. Awesome. I love this kid.

Harry Potter the Cure Child.

The story of Harry, Ron and Hermione continued on stage—where the magic is real. “A wildly imaginative continuation of J.K. Rowling’s wizardry saga

Wish we could have seen it but no tickets available.

Vans. I love this Christmas Decoration. Just so fun and creative, different from traditional Christmas decor and yet still in the theme of Christmas.

Look Up.

Hard Rock. Almost eat there but the line was out of this world. We should have waiting because we have eaten at a Hard Rock 2 countries, a number of different states. Could have added it to the list.

Picture blocks. Get above the crowds to take a photo.

On the picture block. Next time wide lens.

Time Square is cool, it makes New York feel like Vegas... all about the tourist. Cool to see but over whelming for a long period of time.

Time to Eat. Magan's Bar & Kitchen

At this point we are just needing food so the first place Chris suggested Ryleigh and I said Yes to.

Megan's Bar & Kitchen is another Irish Pub. By now Ryleigh should be taking a liking to Irish room. The atmosphere is more bar and eatery but we had a great time.

Of course on our way back in for the night after dinner I wanted a sweet. I have a problem. We dropped Ryleigh at the hotel and then walked to find a sweet. Chocolates. Yummy. It was nice to have a short walk with Chris and I alone together. Blessed Life.

Day 3: December 18, 2018

Itinerary For Today. It's going to be a big day!!!

1. Central Park

2. The American Museum of Natural History

3. New York Public Library

4. Rockefeller Center

I see churches like this and it reminds me of Australia. Australia is where I took notice to historical architectural building. I love history, especially European history with castles and churches.

Urbanspace Vanderbelt, a trendy market. We had walked pass a couple of time and Ryleigh really wanted to try Dough Doughnuts and a coffee for breakfast. The line is typically long and the reviews are outstanding.

Chris, Ryleigh and I would say worth every minute in line, and every calorie. Delicious. I could have had a dozen for myself.

Coffee at Toby;s Estate Cafe. It was a great cup of Joe.

We took our Coffee to go and started our walk.

While walking to Central Park we came across a HUGE Christmas Tree, we had to stop to admire and take pictures, of course.

We made it to Central Park but its so cold and we are ready for lunch. Chris took us to Central Market at the Central Park Hotel, it was incredible. So many delicious options, we couldn't make up our minds.

Central Market, a fine foods “grab-and-go”, offers guests fresh and flavorful bites from artisanal New York vendors. In addition, Central Market also serves the best in delicious breakfast pastries, sandwiches, salads, coffee, Nespresso, and other enjoyable treats such as wine and beer to guests at our New York City hotel.

I was ready to eat everything but Ryleigh had another plan in mind... Hot Dogs in Central Park. It was about having quality food but the experience of a Hot Dog in Central Park. Fine I'll do it, but not without macaron cookie for the trip. $10 for 3 small cookies. I bought 3 for me and 3 for Ryleigh. Worth it. I just wish I had bought more but at the time Chris said he didn't want anytime but then he did. I didn't want to give up mine but how to I ask Ryleigh (the birthday boy) to give up one of his. Damn Chris.

Central Park is too big to walk on a freezing cold day and will take way to make time out of our day. We had to make a choice, walk a small part or get a Rickshaw Tour for $200. Seems ridiculous but they new a lot of information about the park and Ilja (rickshaw guide) had a warm blanket. So we are in. First thing he did was a picture of us in the rickshaw with a city background. I love him already.

Ryleigh's Face. I love it.

Down here is the Carousel. Closed during the winter months.

The Carousel has been a beloved Central Park tradition for nearly 150 years. Fifty-seven hand-carved and painted horses—plus two chariots—“gallop” along to Calliope music played by a mechanical organ. It's one of the largest carousels in the country, and with nearly 250,000 riders a year, also among the most popular.

Ryleigh's face. I love it.

Statues, Monuments & Ornamental Features

Balto

East Side at 67th Street

A heroic sled dog immortalized in bronze, Balto is a beloved fixture in the Park. Sculpted by Frederick G. R. Roth, Balto is a popular climbing statue among Central Park's youngest visitors—a fitting feature, given his backstory.

Our tour guide had this book for the places we visited with information about the place. I really started to appreciate the the information as I realize the history of the park.

The Pilgrim Statue

Conservatory Water is a pond located in a natural hollow within Central Park. The film Stuart Little movie had a scene here... sail-boating.

Bethesda Terrace

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Offering breathtaking views of both the Central Park Lake and woods, the Bethesda Terrace,

Our guide Ilja showed us where to stand to get great background pictures. Now to keep Ryleigh's eyes open.

We promised Ryleigh a New York hot dog from a cart. Done. I must have been hungry because the hot dog was yummy.

The place the Avengers files. Cool

The Bethesda Fountain, the gorgeous focal point of the Bethesda Terrace, is one of the largest fountains in New York, measuring twenty-six feet high by ninety-six feet wide.

It is one of the most well known fountains in the world, and the statue at its center was the only sculpture to have been commissioned as a part of Central Park's original design.

Bethesda Terrace Arcade is the arched, interior walkway in the center of Central Park that links the Mall to Bethesda Fountain and the Central Park Lake. Designed by Jacob Wrey Mould and created in the 1860s, the Arcade features a stunning tiled ceiling with more than 15,000 colorful, patterned encaustic tiles from England’s famous Minton Tile Company. These elaborate tiles were originally used on the floors of European cathedrals. Bethesda Arcade is the only place in the world where these special tiles are used for a ceiling!

This is so incredible the detail put into this.

Chris, Ryleigh, and Ilja

After walking through Bethesda Terrace Arcade Ilja was at the top waiting for us.

Taking the pedicab tour is well worth the money. Most this stuff we wouldn't have know about. It was so cool, and I'm so happy to keep exploring Central Park.

Bethesda Fountain is the one tourists flock to. But just to the west is an ornate beauty dating to 1860, made with frosted glass bowl lamps, gilded black goblets, Minton tiles and topped by a golden spire.

Jumping picture, we are not very good at this.

First thought... Ghost Buster.

Central Park is where so many great movies were filmed. I can't help to want to retrace my favorite movies, like You Got Mail, Spiderman, The Elf, to name a few.

Our guide once again add great stops to take pictures with an amazing background.

With magnificent views across the Lake and into the Ramble, Bow Bridge is famously one of the Park’s most romantic spots. It also has a storied history; it was the first cast-iron bridge in the Park and the second-oldest anywhere in America. Long and low to the water, the graceful Bow Bridge resembles the bow of an archer or a violinist.

Ilja had us take fun.

Located near Central Park West between 71st and 74th Streets, Strawberry Fields is a 2.5 acre area of Central Park that pays tribute to the late Beatle, John Lennon, singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist.

Fashioned similarly to the original flowing design of the park, Strawberry Fields is lined with tall elm trees, shrubs, flowers and rocks. This area is designated as a quiet zone in Central Park.

Strawberry Fields officially reopened on October 9, 1985, the 45th anniversary of John Lennon's birth. Annually, on this date, as well as on the anniversary of John Lennon's death, visitors and fans from all over the globe flock to Strawberry Fields to pay homage to this Beatles' legacy.

John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono lived in the Dakota Apartments adjacently located to this area of the park. It was here, walking into his home, on December 8, 1980, that John Lennon was murdered and shot dead.

To commemorate his life, talents and memory, on March 26, 1981, City Council Member Henry J. Stern designated this area, the couple's favorite in Central Park, as Strawberry Fields. Named after the title of the Beatles' song "Strawberry Fields Forever," the teardrop shaped region was re-landscaped by the Central Park Conservancy with the help of landscape architect Bruce Kelley and a generous $1 million donation from Yoko Ono.

American Museum of Natural History

The moment I've been waiting for! Museum give us a deep understanding of history and show us part of our history we may not have known of. This is something I wanted to experience with Ryleigh for the first time. I wasn't sure how Ryleigh would response to visiting this museum but I couldn't wait to see it. His excitement might have been because of the movie Night At the Museum but it would be worth it.

Theodore Roosevelt Statue is a 1939 bronze sculpture by James Earle Fraser. Located on public park in front of the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. The equestrian statue depicts Theodore Roosevelt on horseback. Walking on either side of him are two men, one an indigenous person and one an African.

The wall architect is incredible.

These elephants are in the movie Night at the Museum. Ryleigh was super excited to see these guys.

These guys are located in The Hall of Asian Mammals. Specimens for the Hall of Asian Mammals were collected over six expeditions led by Arthus S. Vernay and Col. John Faunthorpe. The expeditions were funded entirely by Vernay, a wealthy, British-born, New York antiques dealer. He Characterized the expense as British Tribute to American Involvement in World War 1.

The first Vernay-Faunthorpe expedition took place in 1922. At the time, many of the animals Vernay was seeking, such as Sumatran rinoceros and Asiatic loin, were already rare and facing possibility of exhinction.

Fossil Halls

Most of the museum's collections of mammalian and dinosaur fossils remain hidden from public view. They are kept in numerous storage area located deep within the museum complex.

The great fossil collections that are open to public view occupy the entire fourth floor of the museum as well as a separate exhibit that is on permanent display in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, the museum's main entrance. The fourth floor exhibits allow the visitor to trace the evolution of vertebrates by following a circuitous path that leads through several museum buildings. On the 77th street side of the museum the visitor begins in the Orientation Center and follows a carefully marked path, which takes the visitor along an evolutionary tree of life. As the tree "branches" the visitor is presented with the familial relationships among vertebrates. This evolutionary pathway is known as a cladogram.

Ryleigh made this so fun. 'Interacting with the fossils'

The famous T-rex from the movie The Night at the Museum

Rexy is a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and major exhibit in the Museum of Natural History, New York. He’s a major character in Night at the Museum, a minor character in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, a supporting character in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and he’s one of the deuteragonists of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Lost Tablet. He’s voiced by Frank Welker.

This Hall is very informative and awesome to see.

Ryleigh loved taking pictures and sending they to his girlfriend.

I like taking picture with Ryleigh

Trying to get a picture together ... Selfie

Love

Texting girlfriend

Monkeys:

Dexter is a small Capuchin Monkey who lives in the Hall of African Mammals at the Museum of Natural History. He is portrayed by monkey actor Crystal the Monkey who also portrays Able in the second film.

Jedediah is a cowboy in the Wild West Diorama and the rival (later best friend) of Octavius. He is portrayed by Owen Wilson. 'Jed' appears as a supporting character in Night at the Museum and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, the tritagonist of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, the tetartagonist of Night at the Museum 4 and the deuteragonist of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: The Video Game. He is cheerful, jolly, funny, comic-relief, clumsy, and helpful.

The Hall of Miniature is an area of the Museum of Natural History which houses miniature wax figurines.

Cultural halls[edit]

Stout Hall of Asian Peoples[edit]

The Stout Hall of Asian Peoples is a one-story hall located on the museum’s second floor in between the Hall of Asian Mammals and Birds of the World. It is named for Gardner D. Stout, a former president of the museum, and was primarily organized by Dr. Walter A. Fairservis, a longtime museum archaeologist. Opened in 1980, Stout Hall is the museum’s largest anthropological hall and contains artifacts acquired by the museum between 1869 and the mid-1970s.^[49] Many famous expeditions sponsored by the museum are associated with the artifacts in the hall, including the Roy Chapman Andrews expeditions in Central Asia and the Vernay-Hopwood Chindwin expedition.^[50]

Stout Hall has two sections: Ancient Eurasia, a small section devoted to the evolution of human civilization in Eurasia, and Traditional Asia, a much larger section containing cultural artifacts from across the Asian continent. The latter section is organized to geographically correspond with two major trade routes of the Silk Road. Like many of the museum’s exhibition halls, the artifacts in Stout Hall are presented in a variety of ways including exhibits, miniature dioramas, and 5 full scale dioramas. Notable exhibits in the Ancient Eurasian section include reproductions from the archaeological sites of Teshik-Tash and Çatalhöyük, as well as a full size replica of a Hammurabi Stele. The Traditional Asia section contains areas devoted to major Asian countries, such as Japan, China, Tibet, and India, while also including a vast array of smaller Asian tribes including the Ainu, Semai, and Yakut

Chris was very curious about the history in this hall.

Does it look like he's holding it.

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Moai Cast

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is famous for its rows of moai, towering figures of deified ancestors that were carved from volcanic tuff rock in quarries, then moved to a platform on the water's edge. This plaster cast was made from a mold secured during a 1934-1935 Museum expedition to Rapa Nui, 2,000 miles west of the Chilean coast.There are 887 moai on Rapa Nui, where they are revered, even considered by some islanders to be sacred. Since the Museum's moai cast was featured in the movie Night at the Museum, it has become a popular exhibit.

Gum Gum for Dum Dum

Give this guy some gum.

The Origmi Christmas Tree was in incredible.

It's a wonderful way to showcase the art of origami and is now a "must see" on the New York holiday circuit, with attention from local and international press and visitors. Participation in tree projects is a major part of how we say, "Thank you," to the Museum for providing free space, storage and services to OrigamiUSA

The Hall of Ocean Life

The Museum's iconic blue whale model, first constructed in the mid-1960s, was based on photographs of a female blue whale found dead in 1925 off the southern tip of South America. At the time, little was known about blue whales in their natural habitats.

Anyone who has ever stepped foot in the American Museum of Natural History certainly remembers the enormous live whale hanging majestically over the main floor. She was an icon, the friendliest of faces welcoming visitors to the museum, but sadly, the city of New York must bid her farewell today. According to museum representatives, the whale fastened to the ceiling of the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life has died. The beloved marine mammal was 82 years old.

Ryleigh's Pictures

Sending a fun video message to his girlfriend from the museum.

Gobi Flag, American Museum of Natural History, New York City,...

Gobi Flag, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, “This flag is a symbol of both a specific expedition -- to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia in the 1920s -- and of all the expeditions the American Museum of Natural History has taken and continues to take.” – Source: Museum Text Label

Leaving the museum was easy. Just down these stairs and you are at the subway ready to head back to midtown.

Ryleigh is getting so tall, I really noticed it on this trip standing next to Chris.

Getting back to midtown we walked through Bryant Park, to do some shopping at the Winter Village.

This Winter Village holiday market features food and artisanal boutiques offering delicious eats and exquisite gifts. Our European inspired open-air market hosts artisans from New York City and around the world. Located along Bryant Park’s allées, plazas, and terraces, the Holiday Shops are housed in custom-designed kiosks. Browse NYC’s best outdoor holiday market and check everyone off your list!

Walking back to the hotel Ryleigh wanted to stop at the comic book store. He really liking this store a lot.

The store was very cool with the collectors toys.

Lots of options

After resting in the hotel we are off to Rockefeller Center. to enjoy the Christmas festivities.

Ryleigh found a payphone. It's 2018. H'es 15 years old. This kid is like what the hell is a Pay Phone? He's never since one before. The last night I used a payphone is in the 90's.

Rockefeller

No holiday visit to New York City is complete without a trip to Rockefeller Center. Apart from the obvious Christmas tree and the Ice Skating Rink, there is also an amazing light and sound show.

Christmas time in Rockefeller was discovering magic for the first time. First tree was cover in Christmas lights, and they brought in additional trees. I've never since so many trees beautifully decorated in Christmas light making Rockefeller bright to walk through at night. But it didn't stop there, the Christmas decor, angles, nutcrackers, large stars and snowflakes. There was so much to take it it was hard to actually slow down to see it all. But just when you think they can do better the building light up and music plays...the light show brings you in. For a solid 5 minutes we watched Saks Fifth Avenue's Christmas Light Show.

An exact replica of the Swarovski Star,designed by Daniel Libeskind specially for Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and created with 3 million Swarovski crystalsis on display

A 900-pound Swarovski crystal star was raised by a crane and secured to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Wednesday morning. Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the sparkling star measures 9-foot 4-inches in diameter and is crafted from 3 million dazzling Swarovski Crystals on 70 illuminated spikes. The tree is decorated with more than 50,000 multi-colored lights and it will be illuminated for the first time during a live TV broadcast

Rockefeller Center Center’s Christmas Angels created in 1954 out of a mass of wire 76 miles long by Valerie Clarebout, American artist of British birth.

Every year around Christmas, Saks Fifth Avenue dresses its display windows with holiday-inspired whimsy, usually telling a sequential story. This year's holiday theme is Land of 1,000 Delights, and accordingly, the dioramas tell the story of the "Nutcracker Sweet," featuring candy patterns and swirls.

In just the past two decades, however, Saks has also been developing an accompanying light and music show, which projects on the side of the building that faces Rockefeller Center. This tradition started in 2004, with 50 massive snowflakes lit with 70,000 LEDs. They blinked and flickered in time with a high-paced rendition of "Carol of the Bells."

Ryleigh really enjoyed Rockefeller. It was a lot but the Hot Clicks made it worth the crazy.

This tree is 72 feet long. The Star is 900lbs.

Family Selfies

Prometheus is a 1934 gilded, cast bronze sculpture by Paul Manship, located above the lower plaza at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, New York City. Created by Roman Bronze Works in Queens, the statue is 18 ft (5.5 m) tall and weighs 8 tons.

It depicts the Greek legend of the Titan Prometheus, bringing fire to mankind by stealing it from the Chariot of the Sun.

Changing colors behind the status

30 Rockefeller Plaza is an American Art Deco skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center

So many beautiful Christmas trees to see

The Tree is 72 ft tall, that made us feel small, but when you back up and see the 30 Rock building behind in, you're in awe.

Taking a picture of Chris trying not to be a creepy mom as Ryleigh hit on two girls in their 20's. Chris is giving my a play by play. We got this down.

Every angle you take a picture is just incredible. Really puts you in the Christmas spirit.

Cookie Monster.

Still amazed

It’s a miraculous place. Like a moment’s pause. Half a block away from the city’s main thoroughfare, with benches where you can stop and sit, and plantings in front of the RCA Building, you feel you’re in Midtown and also apart from it.

On our way out of Rockefeller Chris and Ryleigh stopped to take a picture in front on the star with the tree in the back ground.

Dinner Time: Johnny Utah's

Plenty of yokels and tourists line up nightly (usually after a couple of shots of liquid courage) to brave the bucking beast. Johnny Utah's bull, who we call ‘Buck’, is free to ride for dining room and bar guests. Ryleigh was looking at it all night wanting to get the courage to try in front of a dinning room full of people. He eventually did. I couple times. Getting thrown of times and finding it not nearly as fun as he thought it would be. Maybe if Chris and I joined in to make it a competition.

We order our food and drinks right away, got our drinks 20 minutes and our food 1.5 hours after ordering. Chris put back a couple of beers before getting our food, it makes for a good time.

Finial Food. And we are hungry.

Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation, it is the headquarters for the Rockettes, the precision dance company.

Heading back to the hotel but we wanted to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree one more time.

Day 4: December 19, 2018

Itinerary For Today. It's our last day!!!

1. Pershing Square for Breakfast

2. Grand Central Station

3.Library

4. Airport

Pershing Square Central Cafe

The classic friends-who-fall-in-love couple, played by Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis in "Friends with Benefits" features a scene at the famous Pershing Square located right across Grand Central. Immediately after the characters' huge reconciliation at the train station, they head over to the bustling restaurant known for its breakfast, for an official first date as something more than friends. The restaurant was renamed Central Cafe for the movie.

I couldn't wait to eat here. Breakfast on the last day.

This place was jam packed, I couldn't believe how good the food was.

Central Cafe in across the street from Grand Central Station in Pershing Square. Looking back at Grand Central Station the architectural design is breathe taking.

New York City's Pershing Square bridge, leading to the Grand Central Terminal Station 42nd Street entrance with the Statues of Mercury (God of Commerce), Hercules and Mineva surrounding the clock which is the world's largest example of Tiffany glass

In New York your neck hurts from looking up so much and the incredible skyscrapers.

The distinctive architecture and interior design of Grand Central Terminal's station house have earned it several landmark designations, including as a National Historic Landmark. Its Beaux-Arts design incorporates numerous works of art. Grand Central Terminal is one of the world's ten most visited tourist attractions,^[4] with 21.6 million visitors in 2018, excluding train and subway passengers.^[3] The terminal's main concourse is often used as a meeting place, and is especially featured in films and television. Grand Central Terminal contains a variety of stores and food vendors, including a food court on its lower-level concourse.

The Hidden History of Grand Central Terminal’s Celestial Ceiling

Even before Grand Central Terminal officially opened on February 2, 1913 New Yorkers were teased with descriptions of the mural that had been painted on its vaulted ceiling, with the New York Times telling of its “effect of illimitable space” and how “fortunately there are no chairs in the concourse or…some passengers might miss their trains while contemplating this starry picture.” While the effect the painting has on commuters today is the same, the mural has undergone significant change. In fact, it’s not even the same mural.

The Crab for Cancer...July

The middle passageway houses Grand Central Market, a cluster of food shops

The following is pictures from throughout our here of the times we were at Grand Central Station

We had breakfast, now we are off to the New York Public Library.

Upper Terrace

The Library’s rear terrace, designed by Thomas Hastings includes classical ornaments such as garlands, urns, and ram’s heads. This is the site of the William Cullen Bryant Memorial. Bryant (1794-1878) was a newspaper editor, one of America’s most popular poets, and a civic improver who led the campaign to create Central Park. Herbert Adams, one of the best New York sculptors of his period, created the bronze figure of Bryant. The memorial was dedicated in 1911, at the completion of the library.

The New York Public Library's Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street main building

The marble facade of the building contains ornate detailing, and the Fifth Avenue entrance is flanked by a pair of stone lions that serve as the library's icon.

I've been fascinated with the New York Public Library every since the movie The Day After Tomorrow

I've always had a love for architect, libraries, history, and culture. The first time seeing this library on a movie gave me the strongest desire to see it and experience the beauty of all it has to offer.

First off the Christmas decor stood out, it was such a strong Christmas present.

Of course the Christmas in the entrance.

It was decorated in winter, my favorite.

The inside architectural design was more incredible than the outside.

Edward Laning, Prometheus Bringing the Gift of Fire, from The Story of the Recorded Word, 1938- 1942, McGraw Rotunda, New York Public Library, New York, NY

Ryleigh search on the computer. It filled my heart with joy. I know one day he will be in college at a library studying for his bright future.

For a large part of the twentieth century, Beaux-Arts architecture was held in low esteem by many architects, critics, and even historians. Yet the New York Public Library’s main building has always elicited a degree of reverence among its users—academics and other researchers, novelists and playwrights, cultural leaders and everyday citizens—who all seem to find things of special and enduring value in the building. Among these special things are, of course, its bountiful treasures: the books and documents that constitute its reason for being. But it also provides, by means of its beautiful halls, gracious and welcoming steps, and ambience attuned to scholarly pursuits, a temporary refuge from the harshness of the world that great libraries, large and small, have always provided. Carrère & Hastings’ architectural dressing for the library has seemed to all these people, and even to the harshest critics today, to be an appropriate and enduring sign of the institution’s signal importance to the intellectual and cultural life of a world metropolis.

Art. Another love of mine.

This was incredible. Both Ryleigh and I loved it.

We did it. We walked the Library but unfortunately we need to get our stuff from the hotel and head to the airport, but not before stopping for a french dessert.

Maison Kayser

Maison Kayser is an authentic artisanal French Boulangerie, meaning that bread and other baked goods are mixed and baked on-site all day long.

Recognized as one of the most talented artisan bakers of his generation, Eric Kayser has built his reputation on his passion for bread, the quality of his products and his incredible skill to combine authenticity and innovation in the world of French artisanal bakeries.