Day 4--OK to TX to NY

Got an early start today to drive down to Dallas. Left at about 6:45am, got breakfast, then I slept the rest of the way down. Returned the rental car and took the shuttle back to the terminal. Flew first class to New York LaGuardia (also all the way down to DFW). Mom told me she thought the woman sitting in front of Grandma was ‘Helouise’ (actually her daughter) of “Hints from Helouise.” I had no idea who she was talking about, so Mom had to explain. I slept through most of the flight, only waking for food and the landing. I did overhear the woman sitting next to Helouise ask her about her connection with “The View” which was written on her folder as well as some radio show information. She explained whom she was and that she was going to be on “The View” talking about odors. When we landed, I handed her bag to her (it was in front of mine in the overhead bin.). She stopped us in the terminal when we got off and said to my mom “Is this your daughter?” “Yes.” “I just want to tell you that you have raised her well. Very polite.” “Thanks, are you Helouise?” “Yes, I am” “Thank you.” It made Mom’s day to get a compliment about me from Helouise. Got our luggage then struggled to find our “New York Airport Service” Shuttle. It took nearly an hour after boarding the shuttle to arrive at Grand Central Station where we transferred to a local shuttle for hotels. I think the driver was Eastern European. It was very trying to get him to understand that we were going to the Lexington Radisson and not the Madison. The room was nice with a great view of 48th and Lexington. Got settled in then walked to find dinner. Ended up at T.G.I.Fridays on 5th and 48th. Talked to Dad and Erik and they said there was a web cam cache nearby. It ended up being in the corner of a second floor wind at 5th and 4th. The refresh rate was slow on the web cam, so it took a bit of waiting and “Do you see us now?” ‘s, but Dad finally captured us. Continued walking another 8 or 10 blocks to go to the Empire State Building to see the New York Lights. Waited in line to get tickets, then went up an escalator and waited in line to get on the elevator to the 80th floor, forced to wait in line to get a picture taken that we didn’t want, then waited in line to get on the elevator to the 86th floor, where we were sent through the gift shop to go outside. I was glad I brought my pocket tripod with me, as I was able to get some good night lights pictures. Waited in line to buy something at the gift shop before making our way down, waited in line to take the elevator to the 80th floor, forced to wait in line for a chance to buy the picture we didn’t want in the first place (which was interestingly enough on film and not digital), then waited in line to go to the ground floor. It was nearly midnight when we got out (2 ½ hours since we entered the building). We crossed the street and I got to hail a cab to go back to the hotel. It was only about $5, very reasonable. Got everything ready to go, then showered, so it was about 1:30am when we finally got to bed.