The Journey home is when you REST!

Thursday, September 15th
Joyce Tapy (right) and her daughter Erin are just two of the many who took advantage of the quiet motor coach ride. 
We know we are in the good hands of driver Phil from Miller Bus Co, so catching up on rest is the only agenda of the day. Our overnight stop in Harrisburg,PA is approximately 250 miles from home and we will take comfort and food stops every 2 hours.
After lunch we'll bring out the BINGO game for "wonderful & fabulous" prizes (CHOCOLATE)!
We have made new friends, helped each other when needed and are the BLESSED to have experienced a trip of a lifetime!

High Street Travelers Group Photo

Wednesday, Sept 14, 2011
With the New York City skyline behind us, and having spent 4 wonderful days as, "The Best of New York City", all of the 50 travelers (always a fear of the tour escort is to leave someone behind) will board our motor coach and head west.
We were pampered and had a superb tour guide in Marta Cooper for the duration of our trip.
The anxiety that may have been in the back of our minds prior to starting the trip into the city on 9/11 is a distant memory. Sure, there were signs of extra security and precautions taken, but we were never in harms way.
Think about joining the next High Street Travelers group and YOU too can be in the photo!

Taking the Ferry to Liberty & Ellis Islands

The journey begins as it did for twelve million immigrants who entered here in the early 20th century for today's visitor..
The ferry swings away from the dock, leaving behind New York's distinctive skyline as the Statue of Liberty raises her gleaming torch across the harbor. Arriving passengers file out towards Ellis Island's impressive brick and limestone Main building.
Inside, the Baggage Room houses a collection of baskets, trunks and suitcases brought by immigrants. Upstairs, visitors guide themselves through the massive Registry Room, meticulously restored to its appearance in 1918 - 1924. Exhibits on three floors trace Ellis Island's history and the complex story of American immigration. A documentary film and audio tours were available.
This was a perfect ending to our four days in the city. The beautiful 80 degree day with sunshine made us appreciate park-like setting around us and prepare to bid good-bye to the hustle and bustle of east-coast island life.

NO Words to Describe Today at the 9/11 MEMORIAL

Today, Tuesday September 13 was monumental for the High Street Travelers in NYC.  More in a minute...
The destination of our touring was downtown - Wall Street and the Financial district, Battery Park, St. Paul's Church, Trinity Church, Winter Park and Federal Hall. All were impressive and a part of New York that visitors should not miss. Lunch had us back in Mid-town for the opportunity to make the Observatory Experience at the Empire State Building.  Located on the 86th floor, the deck affords visitors a 360 degree view of Manhattan Island, the 4 surrounding boroughs and Lady Liberty.
Our evening meal was the theatre district's own Sardis Restaurant, known for their caricature portraits of famous customers and THEN we were off to the Broadway MEGA hit The Lion King!
BUT, the absolute highlight of our day was being the FIRST outside tour group to visit the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. Flowers remained from the families who were just visitors 48 hours ago at the 10th anniversary ceremonies.
The National September 11 Memorial honors the 2,983 men, women, and children who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 AND February 26, 1993.  The Memorial consists of two pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, surrounded by a plaza of more than 400 trees. The names of the victims are inscribed in bronze around the pools. All but one of the Memorial trees are swamp white oaks. The one that is not is a Callery pear tree, known as the Survivor Tree because it once stood on the original WTC plaza. After 9/11, it was nursed back to health and now thrives again at the site.
A very somber experience, yet left us feeling extremely proud of our American resilience.

THE BEST OF NYC

Under a full Moon, we enjoyed a picture-perfect night into the NY Harbor.
But earlier in the day: TRAFFIC, traffic and more traffic. That is how most Monday mornings start in the city...
Beginning in Mid-town Manhattan, Marta made sure we knew the origins of Rockefeller Center and St Patricks Cathedral before moving on to Radio City Music Hall for the STAGE DOOR TOUR. This is the most historic and most Iconic tour in the city and we were not disappointed! The treat at the end of the 1 hour tour was a chat with a "real live" Rockette:)
After two hours on our own for lunch and sovenoir shopping, we gave our weary feet a few hours rest.
Now to continue on with the evening highlight: New York's Ultimate Dining Cruise on the BATEAUX.  This glass-domed vessel leaves Pier 61 for a 3 hour delight with culinary cuisine and 180-degree skyline views.  Traveling up the Hudson River, under the Brooklyn & Manhattan bridges and around Liberty Island was breath-taking. Even as I write this, the goose-bumps from seeing Lady Liberty under the moon-lit sky still are with me.
Im not sure how we are going to top this day........

Spending the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 in NYC

By 11 am, our awesome motor coach driver Phil, and tour operator Pam has us in the city to begin a wonderful day of celebration and touring.
Many ceremonies had already taken place downtown at the opening of the 9/11 Memorial. Our plans are to be able to take in lower Manhattan onTuesday.
We found Midtown and Uptown were very navigable. With the help of an extremely knowledgeable tour guide, Marta, sites on today's agenda included: FIRE STATION #54 (shown above), Central Park, Harlem and lunch at the House of Prayer, St. John the Divine Cathedral, Columbia University, Museum Mile, Millionaire's Row, 5th Avenue, Grand Central Terminal, and Times Square.
This very emotional day was also one of celebration and pride. America's spirit and love of our country can not be replicated nor denied.
We are truly blessed in so many ways! 

POINTING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!

A late afternoon shower (brief) produced this beautiful rainbow leading our motor coach along the highway.
GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

NEW YORK CITY HERE WE COME...

Well, the High Street Travelers are on the road and heading for the BIG APPLE. The 6 am start was extremely FOGGY leaving the Meijer parking lot, but the day became increasingly better and we report: NO travel delays, construction or bad weather from our end.
In the photo above, Pastor (retired) Charlotte Overmyer and her two sisters Eileen and Phyllis the enjoy afternoon sunshine at our Pennsylvania "comfort stop".
The entire group (of 50) is looking forward to an amazing trip - albeit the many emotions that arriving in the city tomorrow will bring.

CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES 2 AT BEEF & BOARDS 8/3/2011

Laughter is the ONLY option at this 2nd installment of the popular and well-performed production.  So popular, that the High Street Traveler contingent was 80-strong; 2 buses required to take us away on the warm August afternoon for a plentiful Beef & Boards buffet .
Picking up where the Lutheran Women of Minnesota left off in 1969, the kitchen is still the gathering place for weddings, funeral dinners, the pastor's coffee and of course GOSSIP!
Look for the third installment, AWAY IN THE BASEMENT - A Church Basement Ladies Christmas in 2012 and High Street Travelers will not want to miss it!

BOGGSTOWN DELIGHT

On a warm July afternoon, the High Street Travelers made our way to Shelby County and the quaint 4-way stop called Boggstown,IN.  IF you haven't ventured down this way it is WELL worth the trip.
Joining the grain elevator, Post office and church in this metropolis housing 230 residents is Boggstown CABARET.
Shown above is Mrs Ashley, one of our guests singing her heart out accompanied by the 3-piece orchestra. The additional entertainers delight crowds with song, dance, corny jokes and audience participation. A GOOD time was had by all!