Dawson Creek B.C.--Mile Zero and Zero to do

The good news is that our car broke down at a gas station in a major B.C. city, the bad news is that it is Dawson Creek B.C. and there are no mechanics to fix our minor problem until Monday Morning.

When we found out we had to spend another night. We tried our best to stay optimistic, however,  we became a little worried when we began asking locals for tips on how best to spend our day.  They seemed genuinely puzzled and at a loss for words.  The best advice we could find..(including information from the Visitors Center) was to check out a little walking trail by the high school (very little), a self-guided walking tour of 4 blocks of inconsequential businesses.  One clerk even recommended that we rent a couple of movies and go lay down in our hotel room.  Here is a picture of an exciting town square...keep in mind this is a special day because of an antique car show in town.  

It was clear to us that we needed to make our own fun so we entered a triathlon of sorts. Unfortunately, we were beat out by a pair of 8 year olds who, by the way, had home court advantage.   

We ended the day at a museum watching a one hour film on the construction of the Alaskan Highway--which by the way, is riveting.  

We really hope to be back on the road tomorrow because honestly, we cannot endure a remake of Groundhog's Day in Dawson Creek.  

Ryan

The earth has made its full rotation around the sun and we are all a year older.  It seems so long ago and just like yesterday at the same time.  Ryan will always be with us, but today even more.  We thought you would enjoy listening to a song that Ryan composed and recorded shortly after his trip to New York and take the time to remember him in your own special way. 

 It is aptly entitled "Sunday Morning, NY"  

Click here to listen

We love you

Up to the Crown on the 4th

Today is the first day since 911 that the public has been allowed to make the climb to the crown.  Tickets were hard to come by, but we actually were one of the lucky ones to get the best $3.00 ticket ever.   We were actually treated like V.I.P.'s.  We were escorted past lines by the park rangers and given our own special tour.  It was a lot of fun.  

The staircase up to the top is extremely narrow with tight spirals and at times, we felt very claustrophobic.  We were surprised by how small the crown actually is.  We practically had the place to ourselves--it was just the two of us, 4 delightful young guys from Jersey, and two park rangers.  We had all the time we wanted--no other tourists were making their way up behind us and we had a grand ole' time.  Just a great way to spend the 4th.  

To catch a bit of glimpse from the crown click here

Glorious Morning Here on the 4th

It is a beautiful morning and the Brooklyn Bridge is beckoning.  Just a short walk from the apartment and it is especially colorful and festive today as vendors are preparing for the street fair.  Traffic is blocked off for a good mile and it is a treat to walk down the middle of the street and eye all fresh fruit and ethnic foods--just can't decide--it all looks too good.  

Brooklyn Bridge does not disappoint.  It offers gorgeous views heading towards Brooklyn, but the real treat is sitting in Brooklyn Bridge Park with a cup of coffee and a bagel and the spectacular views of New York.  It is hard to leave this place.

Next Stop--Statue of Liberty

Day 2 in New York

We are trying like heck to make our way through the itinerary that Josh and Megan left us--believe us it is an exhausting undertaking. It is  full-on 14 hour days and does not leave much time for silly blogging.  Our agenda today was ambitious to say the least--Empire State Building, lunch at the Shake Shake in Madison Park, the musical, Hair, and the MOMA.  

We made it to the Empire State Building and the views did not disappoint.  

fter Empire State Building Tour, we walked to Washington Park and took in all the festivities there.  We enjoyed a great lunch at a New York Deli and started walking toward Broadway--realizing that 20 blocks equals a mile and that we were in a time crunch to make it to our first Broadway play on time.  

Megan told us that we need to see Hair and we did.  Megan never steers us wrong.  We loved it--very audience interactive and the music was great.  At the end,  the audience was invited on stage to join the actors for their encore of the songs:  "Hair" and "Let the Sun Shine In".  We jumped to our feet and joined the other enthusiastic people who were swept up in the moment.  There were high hives, hugs from cast members, dancing, singing, and just a general overall, good vibe.  We were living in the moment and it was great fun.   

We then made our way to the Museum of Modern Art.  It is free to the public on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  We spent several hours trying to get in as much as we could.  We saw some great exhibits from new artists and some classical pieces as well.  

1st Day in New York

Sadly, we are now down to two sisters.  Kathy went back to Seattle and she will be reporting from Main Street while we will be reporting live from Wall Street. Arrived in New York City via deluxe motor coach from D.C.--really this $18.00 ticket was a sweet ride.  We then made our way via subway to our fancy digs on Wall Street--Thank you Josh and Megan.  Their apartment is gorgeous and will serve as our base for the next 5 days.  

We woke the next morning and enjoyed the complimentary breakfast served on the 23rd floor of Josh and Megan's apartment building and then the doorman gave us a nice send off for our wonderful day of sightseeing.  

This was our first time in New York without a local to lead us around.  We made our way to Battery Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and the Plaza Hotel  for the most expensive cocktail we have ever had, but hey, it came with bread--so we called it a meal.  

D.C. Trivia Winners

Congratulations to Laurie and Jenny, our D.C. trivia winners.  They correctly answered that Lincoln died on April 15th, 1865 and that he was watching the play, "Our American Cousin."  I must warn you Laurie is the queen of trivia.  They have won a deck of Lincoln playing cards and a fabulous D.C. magnet featuring our 44th president.  

Last Day in D.C.

Our last day in D.C. was action packed.  We went to the Newseum, it was incredible.  It is very interactive  and engaging look at history, news and reporting--14 galleries, 15 theaters--extremely visual.  We loved it.  Eileen and Kathy also had time to go visit part of the Smithsonian--definitely not enough time to get it all in.  You could live here for years and not see everything there is to see.  

We spent the evening on a walking tour on the re-enactment of Lincoln's Assassination.  Great fun was had by all.  

Please click here to view video on this fun tour.  

We have 2 more D.C. prizes to give away.  And here are your new trivia questions:

     1.  On what date did Lincoln die?

     2.  What play was Lincoln watching at Ford's Theatre on that ill-fated night?

We show no favoritism here--it just so happens that our sons happened to answer the questions and win the prizes.  Be the first to answer the question in the comment section and you win a prize--it's that's easy.  

Winners of Cash Cab for Cabbie

Congratulations to Bobby for correctly answering that the host of Cash Cab for Cabbie was indeed, none other, than his very own cousin, Megan.  We hope you like your Rearview Spy Glasses that we purchased from the Spy Museum.  They take spying and espionage very seriously in D.C.  We are sure you can put these to good use.  

Congratulations to Ian (we are honored to have you on board) for knowing that it was Miss Piggy who once said:  "never eat more than you can lift."  You are now the proud owner of a Barack Obama shot glass.  It is quite the collector's item.  We were told that he actually drank out of a shot glass that kind of  looked like this one at his inaugural ball. 

Day 2--Washington D.C.

We went to the Holocaust Museum and we were all quite taken by the cruelty, and yet, the hope instilled in humanity.  It is truly awe-inspiring.  We walked the National Mall (Eileen was surprised to see there were no stores) and visited several monuments/memorials.  This is a walking city.  A very cute little girl took our picture.  She went to such great lengths to ensure a great photo.  

Played "Cash Cab for Cabbies"  and had a memorable time.  We could not have asked for a more genuine and fun-loving cabbie.  

Please click here to view our version of Cash Cab.  (heads up--5 minutes--we think it is worth it)  

With each video, there are two prizes to be awarded.  Let's again review the rules.  The first one to respond correctly to the question wins a prize.  You must respond in the comment section of the blog--and remember you do not have to be a follower to make a comment--just be the first right answer.  You can only win one prize per event--we're making these rules up as we go along, because we think Josh could take the whole kit and kaboddle .  

Question #1:  In the Cash Cab video, the cabbie was unable to answer the following question--can you?  Who did say:  "never eat more than you can lift?"

Question #2:  Who was the host of "Cash Cab for the Cabbie" in D. C.?  (hint:  she's a Ginger) 

Good luck.  Stay tuned for the Lincoln AssassinationTour, two more trivia questions,  and two more prizes to come.  

Note:  our personal emails have been flooded with responses from our blog.  Please post your comments directly to the the "comment" section of our blog.  It is makes it much easier on our "blog liaison".   Our "blog liaison" thanks you.  

Day 1--We arrive in Washington D.C.

Our east coast contingency, Megan, was spotted on  a D.C. street on foot, with luggage, making her way to our hotel, when we just happened to spot her from our shuttle.  We summoned the driver to stop and pick her.  Had the random encounter not happened--she would have been left in a torrential downpour, lugging her baggage through the streets of D.C.  

Met up with good friends of Megan, who are D.C. locals, and were taken to a great restaurant and given all sorts of tips.  Thank you, Kata and Sam.

Bodega Bay Winners

We would like to thank all those who played.  Blog Follower Josh won a beautiful Bodega coffee cup and Michele just barely edged out Bobby and Christen by answering our trivia question.  Michele has won an exquisite Bodega Bay magnet.  

Our Blog Liaison, Eileen, will be contacting our winners for mailing arrangements.  

If you didn't win, don't be discouraged, we are scouring D.C. for trinkets giveaways and we think you will enjoy our upcoming video of our fun in Washington D.C.  

Follower's Bonus Options/Prizes

We will be giving away souvenirs along the way...so stay tuned.

The first person to sign up as a follower will receive a token from our Bodega trip. 

The second prize will be awarded to the person who successfully answers the following trivia question:  How many flat tire(s) did we have on our trip to Bodega?  

Answer the trivia question and let us know who you are (so we can mail your souvenir) by clicking on "comments"

Day 3--Bodega and The Birds

Alfred Hitchcock's,  The Birds was filmed here in 1963.  We enjoyed some time tooling around this famous set but, unfortunately, the terror still continues in this beautiful sleepy town.   Click here to capture a glimpse of the horror 

we experienced.  

Day 2--Bodega Bay

Today we went on a gorgeous 9 mile hike and we decided to take a detour to the "most dangerous" beach in California.   Although scenic, we can't underestimate the rugged terrain that makes this Northern California coast a mecca for extreme sporting.  To view our extreme adventures click here.  

Day 1--Bodega Bay

It is Kathy's birthday and we are off to Bodega Bay for a two day stay.  We were a few miles short of sitting at the beach with a glass of wine and watching the sunset when we heard the pop of the back tire explode. We were quite proud to have changed the tire...only to find out, much to our dismay, that the spare was in even worse condition.  Back on track we are ready for our adventure.