Ok, this blog post is about a month behind, but better late than never!

NYC, I truly love this city and it's been a new adventure every time I visit. This time though, since we spent most of our time in Vermont, we only had one full day in NYC, but it was quite an adventurous day. We rented bikes and started out in upper west side, rode south along the Hudson River, and ended up near the new World Trade Center construction site and Occupy Wallstreet.

If you're ever in NYC and the weather is beautiful, take this bike ride and see what an amazing job they've done with this side of the Hudson.











New playgrounds...


Miniature golf course on one of the piers.


Sand volleyball courts. Drew and I totally wanted to play but we had no ball, or other players to hit with for that matter.


Of all the times I've visited NY, this is the first time I've seen the Statue of Liberty. And it wasn't even up close! Still, I was pretty excited when I saw it.






Love this glass building.


Building the new WTC.




I love seeing a peep of the American flag hanging from the building.




I didn't know we were going to hit Zucotti Park and the Occupy Wallstreet protesters, but there we were.


The park was full of people, tarps, tents, etc.


I walked around the park a bit, and then stood up on a ledge to see if there was anything that showed observers what this protest was about.






Hemp for victory?














I have to say, it was interesting to see history in action, but watching people hula hoop around and playing in drum circles with a donation box did not help me understand what the point of the protest was. Anyone care to share their views one way or another?

My favorite image of my NYC trip in October.

Wow, I've finally joined the ranks of every crazy one of you out there who has ever taken the plunge and jumped out of a plane 14,000ft in the air!

I was SO incredibly nervous before the jump and was even wondering from the start of the day when I was going to back out of this thing. Once we got to Skydive Hawaii I don't think I had a chance to even sit for long to think about it. We watched a quick video, signed our lives away, and then it was off to get strapped in. Met my dive instructor, Lyle, who was really the best instructor any nervous girl could ask for. He cracked a ton of jokes to ease my nerves and while we were up on the plane ride (how did I even get on that plane?) he pointed out all these sights like Diamond Head Crater and Pearl Harbor just to distract me.

Next thing I knew, the plane door rolled open, and we were standing on the edge. One quick smile at the camera guy and we were in the air. I didn't even have time to think about anything, which was a good thing!

The first couple of seconds, my legs were flailing like crazy because 1) I totally forgot Lyle's instructions to hook them to his and 2) I was cursing everyone who told me that I wouldn't feel that rollercoaster drop feeling -which I did. But it only lasted two seconds and then all of a sudden I was flying/floating and having the time of my life!!! At the end of the dive, I was ready to do it all over again!



Thanks Lyle and Skydive Hawaii for an unforgettable first dive!!!