First thing I needed to do on the way out of town was pick up my thrift-shop-inexpensive-but-too-big jumper dress, which was being altered by my favorite seamstress across the bay. The alterations were apparently a success - it fits much better now. The seamstress made sure I tried it on afterward, since alterations were significant. And when she saw how it looked, she made sure I didn't take it off! (It's not the first time for that, either! Oh, well...in for a penny, in for a pound...)
Before the nail salon...
Then I dropped in at a nail salon...on the inland side of the bay for obvious reasons...for a paint job on all 20 nails. My nails all had bee recently filled, so it should have been an easy job for the nail tech to simply paint them. But there was an obvious language issue. After we got past the confusion that I didn't want the artificial nails I was wearing to be removed before she painted them (she didn't speak English well), everything was fine.
And the results were as follows:
I couldn't believe how wonderful they looked! Another need accomplished. And since I didn't bring any materials to remove the paint with me, I was going to show off 20 pretty nails for the entire trip, regardless of how I dressed.
After the tech finished my nails at the salon, in the interest of economy I hit a Subway to pick up some food before heading to the motel and get some sleep before my early morning departure. When I checked in to my hotel the night before departure, hearing "Ma'am" was music to my ears!
Day 1 - enroute north: Up early to catch a train for New York City, where I would lay over for a few hours and catch a train west. Early that morning, after hearing "Thank you for choosing us as your choice of accommodations, Ma'am" to set the scene for the day, I drove to the rail station at BWI airport, on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, and a particularly convenient point of embarkation.
I digress to my similar trip a couple of years ago. Back then, I arranged a meet-up with Marian, one of my long-time blog readers. We had a wonderful time, and the weather was good enough that two girls could do some local sightseeing, in addition to doing lunch at a local eatery.
This time, due to Marian's busy schedule, Mandy met "Mario" (Marian's alter ego) at Penn Station (that's the one under Madison Square Garden.) With outside air temperatures in the 90's, and the common realization that neither of us wanted to spend the rest of the day smelling like we just stepped out of the gym, we weren't particularly fond of the idea of local sightseeing. So, we ate lunch at a traditionally-overpriced beanery in the station, and then retired to the Club Acela first class lounge.
Club Acela was very crowded, even though the AC in the lounge was having serious issues, requiring a large fan to keep the warm air moving. Almost every seat was filled, but we found two seats together, and were able to sit and chat until (sadly) it was time for "Mario" to leave for his other appointments. And shortly thereafter, the agent gathered those of us traveling west together to board our train...
Not sure when our next meet-up will be, however it's something we can plan for...and hopefully on a quieter, less-hot day! (In the Big Apple - maybe less hot, but not quieter...you never know what you're going to see. Case in point, one very drunk - or high on something - girl being led around the station by her girlfriend, and a bevy of running, screaming people in the main concourse, which got attention from the local constabulary. Never dull there.)
Before I forget, many thanks to Marian for the picture and very nice writeup in her blog! If you haven't visited there, you can find it at http://crossingts.blogspot.com. She's a lovely person, and a great writer!
After departing Pennsylvania Station on the Lake Shore Limited, and emerging from the tunnels , I caught a glimpse of the construction status of the replacement for the old Tappan Zee Bridge (over the Hudson River), which is being built to relieve massive traffic issues on the old one. If you look closely, you can see standing (not moving) traffic on the old span:
In the above picture, there is a red blur in the lower center. Doesn't look like much, does it? Perhaps a stray reflection.? And it is...it's my nail color - seen as a reflection in the window! Some of the pictures I took had even better reflections...but those were deleted. No point in having Mandy's wife inquiring about that....
Construction is coming right along. Wonder what will happen to the old bridge? Probably like so many others, it will be imploded!
Stay tuned for the next section!
Mandy
Mandy -
ReplyDeleteImploding the old bridge will be too dangerous, as it is too close to the new spans. It will be a traditional dismantling, so that the second span can be completed while the old bridge is being removed.
M
I wondered about that...makes good sense. Will they have the bridges all completely closed for a while? That would make for some nasty commutes, and some nasty commuters!
DeleteM
Mandy -
DeleteWhen they shut things down, it's usually on a weekend AND they have usually tried to preserve at least one lane for traffic in each direction. Even so, there are times where the whole bridge has been shut down, late on a weekend night, for total shutdowns - very rare events indeed. I expect that there will be at least one more total shutdown this year, as they will be shifting traffic to the first of the two new spans.
On other matters, I should have taken you to the other side of Penn Station to show you a hotel. It has the longest active phone number in the 212 area code. And, though I have never tried to remember this number, it justifies the preservation of the hotel for the phone number itself. You might also remember the phone number: PE6-5000. If you figure out what the exchange number was called in the 1930's/1940's, you'll always connect the hotel with the number.
M
Marian,
DeleteThat sounds like something I'd like to see. Old hotels are fun. Let's put that on our list for next time!!! (There will be one...I just can't predict "when.")
Mandy
Mandy -
DeleteI don't know how long that the Hotel Pennsylvania will be there. A developer is trying to tear down the place to erect a super tall tower.
That hotel will sorely missed - by both travelers and music fans.
Do you remember the name of the tune now?
The only tune I can recall on the spot, is Hotel California by the Eagles...
DeleteKeep me advised of the developer's progress. Might be worth a day trip this fall to check it out, before the wrecking ball hits!
M
It seems like you and Marian had a good meeting at Penn Station. Our summers in the city can be just as hot and humid as down on the Delmarva.
ReplyDeleteI traverse the Tappan Zee a few times a week. The current name is the "Malcolm Wilson, Tappan Zee Bridge". Wilson was a dedicated local area public servant who was first elected to the Assembly in 1939 and who stayed in public life until 1974, except for service in the Navy during WWII. Mario Cuomo was a Queens politician who had nothing to do with the area around the bridge. It is the height of hubris for his son to rename the bridge for his father. It would have made more sense to name either the Whitestone or Throggs Neck for the Queens politician.
Pat
Yes, we did! And yes, the summers seem to be equally hot. Except that you have the acres of concrete to soak up the heat and make it seem even hotter!
DeleteYou have the Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge, we have the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Thurgood Marshall being a recognizable name: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, service dates 10.1967 to 10.1991. He was the Court's 96th justice, and its first African-American justice.
Too bad entities can't sell naming rights to major features like that. Like they do for stadiums, and so on. Might ease the personal tax burden a bit.
Mandy
My computer may have sent this already but I think it was wasted.
ReplyDeleteI do understand that the state plans to reuse some of the roadway planks from the Tappan Zee on some of it smaller upstate bridges that need repairs. At one point there had been talk of using the old Tappan Zee as a railroad bridge but I think that plan was scotched.
On your ride up you passed under the historic Bear Mountain Bridge. This was the first concrete road bed suspension bridge for cars which is interesting in that it was built primarily with funds from the Harriman family who made their money as railroad barons. The Harrimans had an estate in Rockland County which was ultimately donated and is now know as Harriman State Park. When they built the bridge int he 1920s it was, for a few years, the longest suspension bride in the world.
There is a twisty 4 mile road that leads up the mountain on the east side from Peekskill to the bridge that the state had the Harrimans build.
The state took over the bridge about 15 years after it was built.
Pat
Pat, It didn't come thru previously...
ReplyDeleteThat would be good if they can re-use parts of the old T-Z bridge...
Yes, I remember seeing Bear Mountain Bridge. Didn't know the history. Thanks! Isn't that a creative way to get a bridge built? Have a wealthy family pay for it, then take it over a bit later! That's even better than having entities pay for naming rights!
Mandy
If you are ever on a driving tour it is worth a stop at Bear Mountain State Park to have a meal at the Bear Mountain Inn. It has recently been restored to its 1915 splendor. All solid old wood and a fireplace that you can walk into. On either side of the fireplace are trophies of a massive elk and moose.
ReplyDeleteDuring WWII the Dodgers did their spring training at Bear Mountain. When the called Jackie Robinson up to play with them he was not allowed to eat in the main dining room of the Bear Mountain Inn. Now, when you go there the keep the front table vacant. On the table is a sign that says reserved along with a vase with a fresh flower. The chair at the place setting is draped with a Dodger uniform shirt bearing #42, Robinson's number. The seat is reserved for him in perpetuity.
On your trip north you passed Peekskill. I do not know if the train stopped at the Peekskill station. On his way to DC prior to his inauguaration Lincoln stopped at the Peekskill station to give a speech. On the way back to Illinois with the body of the murdered 16th President the train stopped to allow the locals to pay their respects and offer a prayer. There is a statue of Lincoln just beside the station. This statute is about 100 yards from the 'yellow brick road' that I told you about some time back. You will recall that the author of the Wizard of Oz was sent to a military school in Peekskill as a teenager and, according to local lore, when he got off the train at the Peekskill station and asked for directions for him to walk up the hill to the schoo he was simply told to 'follow the yellow brick road'.
I just thought that I would give you a taste of local Hudson Valley history for you to ponder on your return trip. One of my goals when I retire is to spend some time at the many historic sites in your neck of the woods.
Pat
Thanks for the info about the Bear Mt. Inn. If we ever get out that way in the car, it will be on the to-do list.
DeleteNeither train I rode stopped at Peekskill. But I remember the yellow brick road author being sent to school there! Lots of interesting history, wherever you live!
Thanks!
Mandy