Traveler Cruises New York Harbor

We were up early on this cold, windy and rainy day- the Girls chose a perfect day for a Harbor Cruise!

Jill was so engrossed in her iPhone that she almost didn't notice me slipping off of her shoulder! But, of course, she caught me- unlike Sally. Hey Jill, check the weather on that thing- is it safe to go on a boat today? Maybe we should do some shopping on 5th Avenue instead?

There is Ellis Island! Tony's mother and father came through there when they arrived from Hungary in the early 1920's...

Lady Liberty! She is so beautiful...

The Brooklyn Bridge. Sally tried to sell me a piece of the bridge, but Jill told me not to listen to her. So, I didn't.

That is the United Nations building.

Traveler Marches in the Veteran's Day Parade!

Traveler at the Commissioning of the USS New York

We attended the commissioning of the USS New York on Saturday morning, what an huge honor!

This is the sixth ship to bear the name, the New York. She is made with actual steel from the World Trade Centers and her motto is Strength Forged Through Sacrifice, Never Forget.

Heading off early to the event- the security is really tight!

I think you can let me off here...

First we attended a reception on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier which served in WWII and was hit by Kamikaze planes! The Intrepid is now a wonderful museum.

A jet on the intrepid.

I met this cute little dog- she is a Service Dog! Her name is Millie May and she senses seizures in her owner before they occur. What a smart girl! I spent a great deal of time talking with her...

Outside for the ceremony, there goes the Color Guard!

Hilary Clinton spoke. Hey Girl!

The Secretary of the Navy...

There is Rudy!

My video montage of the day:

What a wonderful and moving day!

Traveler Enjoys Central Park on 11/5/09

Here I am in Times Square, I love New York!

Maybe someday I will have my name up in lights, just like Coca Cola. Whoever he is...

We went for a walk in Central Park. I stopped for a drink at this fresh water trough. This water trough was presented to the ASPCA by Mrs. Henry Russell in 1908. Did you know the ASPCA was started because in 1866 a passerby intervened with a cart driver who was whipping his horse in New York City? This trough is still used today by the carriage horses who work in Central Park. The girls hate to see these horses working on the hard streets, pulling tourists around...

The leaves on the trees are changing and everything is looking beautiful.

Sally and I stopped for a moment to enjoy the fall leaves. So far, Sally has been very nice to me...

Along the way, I stopped to hear a guy playing music...

This is a real guy, dressed up like a bronze statue. He is celebrating the Yankees World Series win!

As I strolled by, he asked me to join him, so I did!

We stopped to watch the Carousel- I think this horse's bit is too tight! I was worried about him, but the girls reassured me...

Then, I went for a ride!

New York City!

I am back in New York and I have a full schedule so it will be a busy ten days!

I just thought I would post this quick photo of me in Central Park this morning, more to come very soon so keep an eye on the blog!

I love Central Park!

Traveler Journeys to Montezuma's Castle

Well, we finally had some time to go exploring around Sedona. The girls have been super busy with Tony's art show and events and I have had to sit in Jill's purse while they worked. Finally, they let me out!

Let's hit the road girls, let's go!

We stopped at an overlook, there is the town of Sedona below.

This is Cathedral Rock. I wanted to climb up to the top and to the big Vortex that is supposed to be up there, but the girls said we didn't have time. I am getting a bit mad at the girls...

This is Prickly Pear- it hurts!

There goes Sally, strolling right by. Wait up Sally! Since I can't seem to get her into a Vortex, maybe I can get her into a patch of Prickly Pear...

Wow! Look at that! It's Montezuma's Castle. This dwelling was built by the Sinagua farmers in the year 1100. Sinagua means "without water" and these people were a prehistoric culture that once flourished in the Verde Valley. I wonder what it would have been like to live way up there?

This is called Montezuma's Well. It is a limestone sinkhole through which 1.4 Million gallons of water flows every day! Incredibly the water remains at 76 degrees all year round.

Some more cliff dwellings around the rim of the Well.

The entire area was covered with Pueblos where people lived and farmed for hundreds of years. No one knows why, but in the 1400's the Southern Sinagua people abandoned their homes. It is believed that factors such as drought, depletion of natural resources, conflicts within the group or disease may have driven them out. Now, it is quiet and peaceful. I wonder why they didn't ever come back?

Traveler in Sedona, AZ

Just wanted to say a quick Hello, the girls have kept me so busy these last few days that I have not had time to Blog. I need to get my own computer, this is ridiculous...

This is the creek that runs right by our beautiful hotel. I like to sit and watch the ducks...

Sedona is incredible, very beautiful...

I love all of the red rocks...

The girls told me we are going for a hike this afternoon and they mentioned something about a Vortex. I am wondering if I can lure Sally close to it and maybe send her into another dimension?

We shall see, Sally. We shall see...