Clouds in Paradise

Today was overcast and windy but still way warmer than Ohio and since I knew the forecast we had more indoor activities. We started at the Hemingway House and then the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. AND I finally found my fabric shop!

Biker Day

Not much to show you today. We rented bikes and expended quite a bit of energy riding around. Checked out the beaches . They have some sand and a stiff breeze today but lots of seaweed stuff at the waters edge. We had a late lunch and pedaled back to use the hotel pool. Never thought to take a picture of us on the bikes. These pictures are the Key West Garden Club, a cruise ship docked, and the waves on the south shore of the island.

Sea Legs and Snorkels

We boarded the ferry American Freedom and traveled 70 miles west of Key West today to the smallest national park, the Dry Tortugas. The military built a naval fortress here that began construction in 1825 and continued on and off for 30 years and yet was never finished. After a tour of the fort we had the opportunity to try snorkeling for the first time. We did reasonably well but we liked being airborne better yesterday!

The ride back was rough for the first of the 2.5 hours but we persevered and arrived back in Key West for another sunset and displays of creative talent at Mallory Square.

Correction

The picture of the LITTLE WHITE HOUSE in the last post is NOT! I had to pick it from little thumbnails and chose the wrong one. No photos were allowed inside and it really wasn't much from the outside. The picture is just a nice building we saw! I have added some outside area from the place.

Sturgeons in flight!

Parasailing was simply awesome beyond words. We could have sailed up there for hours. What a sight to see birds flying BELOW YOU.

After this, we took a tour of Harry Truman's Little White House. All of the old folks were on that!

Key West Arrival

We left the house at 5:30 AM in a 10 degree chill and arrived to a cloudy but 72 degrees a little before noon! Posting a few pics but the real fun starts tomorrow.

New Adventure Coming Soon

Watch this space for an upcoming additions as Dan and Cheryl visit Key West, Florida. Dan really wants to go to Cuba???? but this is as close as he'll be getting.

This is the friendly tarantula I ran into yesterday, while hiking at Bandalier National Park in New Mexico.  He looked a lot bigger in person!

Final day - Wednesday

Since last night's rain abated and another gorgeous day broke, we decided to forgo the art museum and spend time outdoor.  Bryant Park, located behind the New York Public Library has a Paris feeling to it.








 

It seemed nearly empty until we chanced upon a film crew. They were shooting scenes for a CBS show called "Person of Interest"

The guy in the center is Jim Caviezel, one of the lead actors. I looked this up on the internet as I never heard of the show. I may be trying to find this episode though. 

  The camera is certainly impressive.

 


We passed around to the front of the New York Public Library. Should have gone in, but I have done it before. Heading to Grand Central Station. Along the sidewalk are plaques honoring the world of books.

 

This one was most amusing.  I especially liked it since E.B. White wrote

Charlotte's Web and other children's books.

 

Outside Grand Central

 

Inside



But, it is so much more than trains.

 

Love the little jackets on these guys

Food is everywhere.  There are shops as well.

After another visit to the film crew in the park we went over to 7th Ave. to the Fashion District.

My shop awaits me.  My style would be vastly different than what's in the window!

 

If you are as bored by fabric and trimmings as Dan, this is the end.  If you are NOT please step on over to my other blog, Thimble Fingers http://csturgeo.blogspot.com/ 

and learn more about the fabric and trim stores.

 

Tuesday with Dave and POTUS

Today was a TV day that began with a tour of NBC studios. It was OK.  No pictures can be taken on the tour. (boo-hoo) I captured a few of the grand buildings at Rockefeller Center.

Outside in Rockefeller Plaza

 

Interior of the GE building which is home to NBC Studios

 

We saw the studios where Brian Williams broadcasts from and 8H where Saturday Night Live is done.

Near the end of the tour they, of course took the obligatory tourist photo which they want to sell you. But then we entered a studio where they asked for volunteers to try out being the anchor and the weather person. One person spoke up and I gave a moment for someone to jump in, but when no one did I raised my hand. The other woman and I were given a choice of roles and I jumped at the anchor job since I know I can read out loud after years of reading to kids.  Also I could sit down!

 

When we were finished we found out they had actually taped us and we could get the DVD to take home (for a price). We jumped and I didn't look at it until today.  The lighting and sound for my part is not very good BUT I think I did a great job of impersonating a news anchor. I was hoping to add it to the blog but I have no idea how to get it transferred to the blog or even youtube. 

 

THEN

 

 

After a lunch we headed off to the Late Show with David Letterman. I put our names in for tickets back in August and we got a call that we were in!  Then a day later they called back that they needed us to be at the theatre between 1:30 and 2:30 ( an hour earlier than previously told). I had already found out on Thursday that the guest for our night was to be The President   of the United States! So much better than some ditzy actress promoting a film, no matter what your politics are.



This picture is grabbed from GoogleEarth street view. Not actually us.

 

When we arrived at 1:15 there was already a huge line snaking around the corner.  Security was tight and police where everywhere.  There were even two enormous construction vehicles parked in front of the theatre to block ANYTHING. As it was spitting rain we wondered how long we would be on the sidewalk, but the nice Letterman pages herded us into a bar around the corner!






Also a street view steal

We entered and were sent upstairs to a tabl e where we were handed our tickets with our group number on it (E).  And then...wait, visit the restroom, get a drink, chat with other folks, etc. When our group was called we went through security with a sniffing dog but we got to keep our shoes ON. Our seats were EXCELLENT. Only a few rows back and I, if not, Dan could see Dave AND Obama. The hour goes really fast when you don't have to watch commercials. The orchestra plays and you watch all the crew doing what they do.  The President, as usual, cannot give a short answer so when we rewatched the show later in the hotel we saw that the TOP TEN LIST had been cut out. I'll still vote for him!!

 

 



Lifted from Google Images