New York Planning

How do you plan a trip?

I think the D-Day landing took less planning than our trip.

The-Youngest had 400 things he wanted to do. The-Oldest said he’d be happy doing anything. The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World just wanted a day of rest, for the love of God, a day of rest, not two weeks of madly running around.

After a little more discussion, a few drinks, and lots of eye-rolling, we had some more concrete answers. It was a tough balance making everyone happy.

The-Youngest found a theme park in Jersey (Six Flags – Great Adventure) with the most terrifying ride of all time (Kingda Ka!). https://youtu.be/RowZkZKzJtU?si=seVL3zQoqtgUWw1W

He also wanted all of us to go on it, but only The-Oldest agreed. Sadly, unlike when I was young and found those rides terrifying but exhilarating, they now are just ways to throw out my back and make me so barfy like I ate mayonnaise after leaving it in the sun for two weeks.

I wanted to see the Statue of Liberty (and Ellis Island). When my brother and I went, I was brought to tears.

The-Oldest wanted to see the Empire State Building, and for his grad present, go to a Broadway musical (the classic Chicago).

For his graduation present, The-Youngest wanted to eat at a fancy steak house. Immediately, he began to search online for the perfect spot. Knowing how he shops, we put a money limit on the restaurant.

The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World said she wanted to go to the NYC Library and pet the lions there, but reminded us that she really, really also wanted a day of rest, for the love of God, a day of rest, not two weeks of madly running around.

I also chose a night boat tour of the NY skyline.

We booked those adventures and spread out our ‘wants’ over the two weeks (though Joe 1.0 would have planned all of them for one day, ok, maybe two cuz the Six Flags was a day in and of itself).

Some things were left to the ‘play it by ear,” philosophy. Visit John Lennon’s memorial in Central Park, you say? Why not, it’s nice out. Pouring rain, today, well, me thinks a museum is on the menu.

Speaking of menus, there was so much to try. NY Pizza. Bagels. Bodegas. Hot dogs. 5-star Michelin joints. Bourdain’s best. Ramsey’s worst…Honestly, we could do a whole trip just visiting the best places to eat.

But, I know what you’re going to say. Joe, you haven’t planned enough for this vacation.

And you’d be right. More planning was needed.

So, we planned a bit more.

We had to plan to see the July 4^th fireworks, right???

Missing that would be like missing being ignored by French waiters in Paris…like not eating any pasta in Italy…like not being in a football riot in England.

We had to book time for that.

Then, after watching a few more videos, we also added the American Natural History Museum and booked a TV and Movie location tour. (Links will be provided later, I promise). Lastly, we accepted a super kind offer to stay a day or two at our cousin’s lake house and join them for a 911 Memorial Tour.

The two weeks were filling up and The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World began to wander around the house muttering, “is there going to be just one day off, for the love of God, just one day off?”

But I wasn’t done with my planning. Oh, no. I was on a roll.

I thought, since we have traveled together for a few years, I wanted to play to our strengths.

First: The-Youngest, (being by far the fittest) would carry about our SAS survival backpack, with water bottles, sunscreen, a map, battery chargers, Kleenex, jackets, umbrellas, bandages, and snacks to snack on.

His eyes wide, he said, “Wait, what, you know how much that’ll weigh?”

Me: Yes, yes I do. I’ve carried that pack since 2013.

Second: The-Oldest and I were banned from navigating. Now, I have many great traits, but navigation is not one of them. In fact, I suspect my tombstone will read. Gosh, I hope he doesn’t get lost going to wherever he’s trying to go (hell, I suspect). So The-Youngest was in charge of navigation (with backup from The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World).

Third: I would be the family photographer. I always am, but this time, I warned everyone that I would sometimes stop for a picture in the middle of the street or take a longer time than others to get that perfect shot or simply stand in place looking around like I was lost or had a stroke.

Forth: The-Oldest would be in charge of keeping me in sight. At all times. The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World thought she should buy one of those child leashes for me, but I pointed out that would just clothesline some little kid at some point.

Fifth: All of us would have to focus on remembering to eat. I know for me this is not a big ask, but when traveling, it’s easy to do the whole, ‘we have to make it to the bus. No time for food, dammit. Run, run, run!!!” Food is especially important to The-Oldest who goes all grumpadoodle if unfed, but we would ALL need as much energy as we could muster.

Whew. Now we were organized. Now we had everything I needed to plan, planned.

I was both excited and terrified.

I was excited because I would get to spend time in one of the greatest cities in the world AND we would also see my NY cousins (one of whom was amazingly gracious to lend us the use of her mid-town Manhattan apartment).

But I was also terrified because the last time I was there, I could not figure out the NYC subway system to save my life, and feared I would get us horribly lost in a gang-infested area where I would be forced to ask, “Hello, my good sirs, do you perchance know the way to the opera?”

However, the excitement outweighed the terror.

So, by the 3^rd, I felt we were as prepared as we could be.