NYC & DC - FAMILY VACATION

In August of 2007 our family and a friend of Doug's, Ben, took a trip to New York City and the Washington, DC area. We had a great time and will remember it for the rest of our lives. It is not something that we could afford to do very often as it pushed the $20,000 dollar mark by the time we were home, but it was definitely well worth it!!!

I'm not sure how this post will turn out because I usually insert pictures as I find them, and insert words to go with the pictures. . . so, I am going to provide a very brief timeline at the beginning and let you try to put things were they belong. :-) Maybe once I get caught up to the current day in our lives this will get better.
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August 1, 2007 - Fly from Salt Lake Int'l to John F. Kennedy Int'l in New York.
August 2-3, 2007 - New York City.
August 4, 2007 - Fly from John F. Kennedy Int'l to Regan Int'l in Washington, DC.
August 5-7, 2007 - Washington, DC - Falls Church, Virginia
August 8, 2007 - Frericksburg, Gettysburg, Jamestown area.
August 9, 2007 - Fly from Regan Int'l to Salt Lake Int'l.
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As those of you know that have been to New York City, if you drive you are likely certifiably crazy! Now some may debate whether or not I fall into that category, however, I didn't want to rent a car because I had no clue where I would be going and I knew the traffic was insane. I also found out while visiting that you could buy a car for the price you had to pay to park it, and that was only if you could find a parking place. *Yes, the sign says $24.50 for up to 1 hour!
So, rather than a car we rented a limousine to take use to and from JFK Int'l and our hotel. Although this isn't the exact car because this one was taken in Times Square later, it looks just like those we rode. We were all a little tired when we arrived in New York, even though it was only 5:00 PM, so it was very nice to be picked up at the airport and delivered to the hotel door. It was also really nice to be taken in comfort and style.
This is a cool picture of Ben in the limo. :O) We didn't use the wine glasses on the right, but some of us did drink the complimentary water.
Since there we six of us, believe it or not, a stretch limo was about the same price as if we had taken a shared van. The limo was $140.00 each way, and I think a van would have been about $120.00. The limo is the way to go if you're traveling in a group, and is probably even worth the extra money if traveling as a couple! A driver meet us at the airport holding a sign with our name on it. He loaded our luggage into the car, and then delivered us to the door of our hotel.
We stayed in midtown Manhattan at the Affinia 50 Hotel. The rooms were very nice, especially considering the size and cost of most hotels rooms in Manhattan. Since we are all adults [according to hotels only ;-) ] we had to rent 2 rooms. We wouldn't have been comfortable in 1 room anyway. Although 2 rooms for 3 nights was a little bit pricey by my standards, ($2,500.00 for the 3 nights) it was really nice to be close to everything. It was also great to have a decent size room, and the hotel service was excellent. They even have a "pillow menu" with 8 different types of pillow, which was cool because I like down, Tyson is allergic to down, and Kerrie prefers something more firm, etc. When we arrived in our rooms we called and ordered the pillows that each of us wanted and they were delivered soon after.

The doorman the following morning was very helpful in planning and purchasing our island cruise, and the next night the staff made us reservations at a nice restaurant at the very last minute-- and in Manhattan in the summer, that is quite a task. The hotel called several places until they found something that was nice, within our price range (thanks Ben!), and was on our way to see the Broadway play we were seeing.

I would definitely stay at the Affinia 50 again!

Below are pictures that we took of Jamie and I with the doormen as we were on our way out for and evening stroll in Times Square. The kids loved Roman, the guy on left with the whistle. He definitely knew how to get the attention of a taxi in New York with that whistle. This is the sleeping area in in the room that Kerrie, Jamie and I shared. I think Kerrie is in the far bed, and Doug is standing at the desk. The room was equipped with a small kitchen; which included a fridge, stove, microwave, sink, and dishes and silverware. We used the fridge and microwave but that was about it. If we were to stay longer we likely would have prepared a meal or 2, so it is a nice addition to the room.This is the messy desk that held all kinds of our (mainly my) 'junk'.

. . . view from out our hotel window.

I LOVE MANHATTAN!

I took this video with a digital camera, which as you will tell is not really intended for high quality video. I had my arm hanging out the window, which only opened a couple of inches to prevent people from accidentally falling, or jumping. It's is a little bit long and if you don't watch it all it's understandable. I'm sure it isn't very interesting to anyone that wasn't present, but it brings back memories for me. :-)

I think that Doug, Tyson and Ben had a slightly bigger room, although they were both Junior Suites. I'm not sure how the boys worked that one out?? :O)

While in New York we didn't have time to do a great deal because we simply weren't their long enough, however, we did take the "full circle cruise" the day after we arrived. The cruise lasts about 3 hours and goes all the way around the island. If there is nothing else you do in New York, I would say this is a must. I would love to go on it again!

It is getting pretty late and I have to work in the morning so I will have to start with some pictures of the cruise another time.

To Be Continued. . .