We took the train from Kelly’s house in New Hyde Park (on Long Island) and then jumped on the subway to head to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Can anyone guess by this great mosaic where we got off?
All of the die hard New Yorkers I am sure are yelling out “The American Museum of Natural History”. We were greeted by none other than Teddy Roosevelt. This is fitting as his father was one of the museums founders in 1869. This was also right about the time where I discovered that I had left my camera battery still safely charging at Kelly’s house. Thank you Auntie for remembering yours.
Let me say that this was the most fabulous museum I have EVER been to. My neck should have been on a swivel stick, there was so much to look at. Rex was there and ready for a game of catch. But in case dinosaur bones aren’t really your thing…
You could spend an entire day just admiring the architecture and design. While the first cornerstone of the museum was laid in 1874, the majority of the museum was completed in 1936 in the magnificent Beaux ~ Arts style.
Other than cleaning and repair, very little has changed in terms of the decor of the museum. There are beautiful touches everywhere. Just look at this coffered ceiling. The lighting is original.
My favorite section of the museum was the Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life. The sea is truly a lovely tranquil place (SHARK!). To stand under a full size model of a blue whale is a very humbling experience. I practically had to be taken out of the museum kicking and screaming, but we had other places to go.
Times Square really laid it on thick in terms of welcoming me. I mean just look at the size of the monogram they did of my initials~ L G. Hee hee.
Start spreadin the news, I think someone would make a really good actor. We were headed to the Minskoff Theater.
We saw “The Lion King on Broadway”. I LOVED the costumes. The giraffes were amazing. You thought they were giraffes~ not people on stilts hunched over. I am not ashamed to say that I cried during the “Circle of Life” number and loved these guys.
Oh I just found my Minnesota pictures. Ack! We went here first but I am so not moving the photo’s around. (Everyone is nodding their head in understanding, I am sure.) We stayed at the Pine Grove Motel. I loved the authentically vintage sign.
One would hope that the interior would have a “Mad Men” type of retro modern decor. Alas that was not the case. But it was clean and sometimes that is enough.
After all we weren’t there to hang out in a motel room. We were there to visit the current reigning Wii Bowling Champ~ our precious Great Grandma.
After a day of rain we made our way to friend Judy’s house. I loved all of her flowers and the pretty window boxes.
Judy and her husband Rex live of the shores of Lake Pokegama (Po kay gah mah) and were gracious enough to take us out on their houseboat.
Along the shore were several elaborate docks, staircases and homes.
Sweet Boy tried a bit of fishing.
Success! It was a red eyed bass that we threw back into the water.
Upon our return to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area we met up with our very special friend Jill. Jill and I have been friends for over 12 years. We met while we were both living on the island of Crete. Jill moved back to the states a few years ago. This was her first time meeting Sweet Boy.
Next up, Philadelphia freedom and the Duchess of Decor visits the Jersey Shore.
Laura
