May 1st - Plymouth and Home

After saying goodbye to the Einhorns, I drove to Plymouth Massachusetts.

I got the relevant information from the information center, and started walking south along Plymouth Harbor.

The first stop was where the Mayflower II, was supposed to be. The ship is being repaired away from the dock, so I couldn't see it.

My next stop was Plymouth Rock, one of the first monuments to early american history.

Across from Plymouth Rock is Cole's Hill, where there a great view of the harbor, some statues, and a Mausoleum containing the remains of the pilgrims who dies in the winter of 1620-21.

I continued up Leyden Street, the first street in the Plymouth Colony to Burial Hill, where the first fort, church and later cemetery were built.

My final stop in the are was the National Monument to the Forefathers, which some say served as a model to the Statue of Liberty.

After getting something to eat, I drove towards Boston. The approach to Logan airport goes through several long tunnels, some containing exits.

I returned my rental car, too the shuttle to the terminal, checked in and settled in for the wait to board.

The flight to Rome went smoothly, the flight from Rome left late (as usual), and arrived about half an hour late.

This will be the last entry.

Pictures

April 30th - Providence

This morning, Deborah, Shira and I drove to downtown Providence.

We first visited the Rhode Island state house. It looks more or less like the capitol in Washington, and other state houses.

We could see the House and Senate rooms, and various other rooms. The decorations and murals were lovely. Shira was mostly intested in the flags, and going in the elevator.

We drove around some more, did a little shopping, and then went home for lunch and a rest (yes, me too).

In the afternoon, Elana had a baseball game, and Ari had a T-Ball game. The rest of us cheared them.

Pictures

April 29th - Newport

I left Providence fairly early, and got to the Newport visitors center at around 9:30.

I got some information, and started walking around town.
My first stop was the Touro Synagogue. It is the first synagogue built, that has survived since being built. Others were built before it, but burned down.

Next I visited the first public library in the US. I walked for along the cliff trail for a bit, and the wondered around, looking at all the 'summer cottages' of the very rich.

After having some lunch, I walked back to the visitors center and drove along the The ten mile Ocean Drive.

I started off at Fort Adams, then Brenton point state park and then back into the Newport Historic district (the opposite direction from the description on the web site).

I drove back to Providence along the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay. I must have made a wrong turn some where, because I ended up in Massachusetts, but thanks to the miracle of GPS and navigation software, I got back OK.

When I got back, we (Deborah, Marshal and I) went out to dinner at Trattoria Zooma

Pictures

April 28th - From Woodbridge to Providence

This morning I took things easy, and didn't do much until it was time to leave for Providence.

After saying my good byes, I started driving towards Providence.

I stopped at a lookout towards Mystic, Connecticut, and took some pictures.

I got the Deborah and Marshall's at around 5 pm, met everyone, had some supper.
They all surprised me with a birthday cake and songs.
and then watched some TV and went to sleep. I guess all nothing I did, and the drive really knocked my out.

Pictures

April 27th - Birds and sleeping giants

I started my day with a visit to the Connecticut Audubon Society's Milford Coastal Center. There were a few birds around, but I didn't see anything special.

After a little windows shopping, and some lunch, I drove to Sleeping Giant State Park. The park was full, but I managed to find a parking space. I walked up the Tower Trail (along with many other people). What I found interesting, and different from hiking in Israel,  was that I couldn't really see any views. Everything was blocked by trees.

There were some nice views from the top of the tower.

On the way down, I decided to take a different, and more difficult, trail. It turned out that it was the most difficult trail in the park. It included some pretty steep ascents, and a very steep descent. At some point I lost the trail, and had to backtrack, and make my own trail, until I got back on the trail.

After catching my breath, and getting back to the car, I drove back home.

We had a nice supper (burgers and chicken on the grill). After supper. Judy and David came over with a birthday cake for me (It was my birthday according to the Hebrew calendar), and we had a nice evening.

David left his jacket, so Judy came back to get it. Before she left, Sara, Judy and I went to get some frozen yogurt.

It was a lovely day.

Pictures

April 26th - Great Neck to Woodbridge.

After breakfast, I went with Marci to take Murray to the train and then did some shopping. I said my goodbyes and drove the City Island. It was not very interesting, and the local museum was closed to I continued to the Bartow-Pell Mansion. Unfortunately they were closed.

I started driving towards Connecticut. I stopped at the Beth-El Cemetery to try and find Mel Allen's grave (for those who don't know, he is my second cousin once removed). It wasn't easy, since there was no one to help, but I finally found it, together with his brother Larry and mother.

After getting something to eat, I continued to New Haven. I stopped at the cemetery  but could not find any of the graves I was looking for.

I continued to Cousin Sarah house where I was greeted buy Snoopy, Lucy and Carmela, the dogs.

Sarah came home a bit later, and after shmoozing a bit, we went out for an early supper. We went to Leo's. It was OK.

When we came home Michael and Dani were home, and then Howard showed up. I was left alone with the dogs since everyone had previous engagements. Jami came home, but also went out.

Pictures

April 25th - To Great Neck

I walked (about 20 minutes) to the car rental place to pick up my car.
The agent had a bit of trouble, but it was resolved, and I drove away in a Kia Sorento.

I drove back to Dana's, finished packing up, drove to Dana to give her the keys, and was off on my little adventure.

The navigation system on the phone was acting up a bit, so I had to stop to get it working right. Once I did that I drove towards the Tappan Zee bridge, crossed it and went north to Sleepy Hollow. I tried visiting Philipsburg Manor House, but it had not opened for the season yet, so I went to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and walked around. I saw the graves of various people including Washington Irving.

After going around the cemetery, I drove to Great Neck, to my cousin Marci.

When I got there, Ethan and Abby were home and I waited for Marci. When she got home we went to get some Pizza and then to the kids tennis practice.

We got home, saw some TV, and I was ready to crash, so I did.

Pictures

April 24th - Eagle Rock Reservation

My day started with a visit to the local AAA office to get some information about my drive tomorrow.

Next I headed for Eagle Rock Reservation, a nice park in West Orange. After looking around the 9/11 memorial, I started walking along the part of the Lenape Trail (yellow) that runs through the park. At the end of the yellow trail, I turned left (west) and starting walking on the red trail, which brought me back to the beginning of the loop. from the map, it looks like about 3.4 miles or about 5.5 km.

At the end of my walk I met a cute dog name Dave, who gave my my daily puppy fix.

I did a little windows shopping and returned home.

When Dana was finished with work I picked her up and we went to TGI Fridays for supper and for an early birthday celebration.

We returned home after stopping at Home Depot for some paint and brushes.

Pictures

April 23rd - Quiet Day

I took a quiet day today, and just rested.

In the evening we went to the Hammermans for dinner. Dana helped them download pictures and videos from their trip to Germany.

The food and company were great.

April 22nd - Great Falls

This morning a rode with Dana to Newark Airport. She took the train to Washington DC and I had the use of the car.

I drove to Paterson, and went to the Great Falls National Historical Park. The falls were actually a trickle, since the water is diverted to the hydro electric plant. I walked around a bit, visited the information center, walked through the Valley of the Rocks, and came upon the Paterson Animal Shelter. I didn't see any Humans there, but there were a few dogs.

After looking around I walked to the Paterson Museum, which was closed, and then back to the car.

I drove the Paramus Mall. When I left, I met a cute dog who is in training to become a service dog  He was very nice, fluffy and almost pushed me over.

I drove back home, stopping at some place to do some shopping.

I went to pick Dana up at the train station at around 10 pm.

Pictures

April 21st - Reunion

I walked up the street to take the bus. Unfortunately, it was cold and windy, and I had to wait for 15 minutes for the bus to come.

The bus left me off at the Port Authority Bus Station, and after watching some people wash themselves in the public bathroom, I walked down and took the subway to the east side.

I got off the train at 59th and Lexington avenue, and walked up Park Avenue. It was chilly, but sunny, and the flowers and trees are all in bloom.

I got to the Ramaz Middle School just in time, and met with my former class mates. It was very nice. Rabbi Lookstien read a letter from Yitzchak (Boojy) Hertzog, who was a member of the class of 1978.

We had some lunch, and then broke up into individual class sessions, where we had a skype conversion with a classmate in Israel.

After the reunion winded down, I walked through Central Park, spoke to some doggies, and then walked down 5th avenue to 34th street.

I took the subway from Madison Sqaure Garden to the World Trade Center, just to see what progress had been made, and then back up to the bus station to take the bus back to Caldwell.

I missed the 6 o'clock bus by a few minutes, and had to wait for an hour for the next one.

Dana got home just after me, and we got a Pizza and ate it while watching a movie.

Pictures

April 20th - Shabbat

I went to schul with Dana, and after kiddush walked home. Dana came home later, and we both rested.

Later in the afternoon, we went and did a little shopping, and then came home.

April 19th - From Charleston, SC to Caldwell, NJ

The day started great.

I got up at a decent hour, and since I had a 12:45 flight, I decided to take it easy.

I noticed that my deodorant had finished, so I popped over to Walmart to get some.

When I got back, I took a shower, packed up, and drove to the airport, getting gas on the way.

Returning the car, checking in, and going through security was a breeze. The flight left on time, and arrived early. I even had someone nice sit next to me and we talked a bit.

When I got off the plane at Charlotte, I checked the display, and it said that my flight to Newark is delayed, and was leaving at 5:20 pm instead of 2:55. Various reasons were given, bit it didn't really matter.

The flight eventually got rescheduled again, this time to 5:40, and we took off at around 6 pm.

The flight was a bit bumpy, and we landed just after 7 pm. I had ordered a taxi while I was in Charlotte, and it took me directly to the Chaits in Caldwell. I only got there a little bit late.

We had a great dinner, and then went home. Dana, Paul and I talked for a bit, and then I collapsed.

April 18th - Fort Sumter

I woke up for the first time at 4:30 am in the morning, but I managed to get back to sleep till about 6.

I left around 8 and drove to Liberty Square in Charleston, to get the boat to Fort Sumter.
The boat ride was nice. There is an explanation about the sights, the history surrounding Fort Sumter, and sights visible in Charleston.

We had an hour to walk around the fort. There was another explanation (They called it a history talk) and then free time to walk around.

The flag was a half mast because of the Boston Marathon bombing.

After taking the boat back to Charleston, I drove down to the battery and walked around for a bit. I was 'attacked' by a puppy who just wanted to kiss me.

I drove to Janet's in South Windermere, where I met Dianne and Janet.
We went to the Mustard Seed on James Island restaurant for lunch. It was OK.

After I collected my car from Janet's, I drove back to Dianne, getting a little bit 'lost' on the way, but I got there with no problem.

Lindsey and Billy, and Beck came over with the kids came over and we had Pizza, and Ice Cream.

When I started falling asleep at around 9, I went to sleep.

Pictures

April 17th 2013 - To Charleston

After going to sleep at about 11 pm, I got up at 1 am and 3:30 am. It probably had something to do with jet lag, the highway noise outside the hotel, and being anxious about getting up on time.

I went downstairs at around 5:30 am, checked out, printed my boarding pass, and took the shuttle to the airport. Because it was so early, I couldn't get breakfast at the hotel.

The shuttle dropped me off at the terminal, and I checked in, went through security, and got something to eat.
The gate had tables with iPads for use, so I had something to do while I waited for my flight to be called.

The flight was called, and then I saw that the same gate was serving many flights, and you had to walk to the plane, making sure you got on the right plane. There were signs and people making sure you got on the right plane.

The plane was tiny (50 people), and full, but the flight left on time.

As we were descending into Charleston airport, the pilot announced that we had to make another circuit because there was a turtle on the runway, and it had to be moved.

The plane landed, more or less on time, and I got my car, got my bag, and drove to Dianne's house.

I waited around for a bit until Dianne came home, and they we had some lunch, and drove downtown, to walk around a bit.

We parked at the Morris Sokol Furniture parking lot, went home to say hi to Freida and Joe, and then started walking down King street. We walked over to the Market, which had been renovated recently. There is now a section that is closed and air conditioned.
We had some Ice Cream at Ben and Jerries, and then went to find the Apple Store to find out why Dianne's phone was acting up. That took about 3 minutes, and then we met Billy, who had just finished work, who drove us back to the car.

We went to the cemetery, to visit all of the relatives, and then went home.

At around 6:30, we had some supper, and then sat around talking, I managed to stay up till around 9 pm, and then crashed.

Pictures

April 16th 2013 - Travel day - from home to New York

Yes, I know I was supposed to fly all the way to Charleston today, but things never go as the should.

I drove myself to the airport, and my Dad drove my car back home.

The flight from Tel Aviv to Rome was OK until the last 20 minutes. The pilot came on the PA system and told us that Rome airport is fogged in and we might be diverted to Ciampino airport, which eventually happened. We sat in the plane for about half an hour until they decided what would happen.

Eventually, the decided to take to the Rome airport by bus. We got off the plane, waited for our bags, which took a long time, and got on buses to the Rome airport. Once there, I was transferred to another flight to New York. The flight left on time, and got into JFK at 6:30 pm.

I missed my connection to Charleston, and had to bye a new ticket, and get a room for the night.

I am now at the hotel, hoping to get a good night's sleep, and have a good flight to Charleston tomorrow.

Introduction

Hi everyone,

I will be using this blog to tell anyone who wants to hear about my April 2013 to the US.

I am leaving home on April 16th, and flying to Charleston, South Carolina through Rome, New York and Atlanta. It will be a very long day.

On April 19th, I will fly back up north and stay with my sister Dana in Caldwell, New Jersey.

On April 21st, I will attend my 30th high school reunion in New York City. This is the real reason for this trip.

On April 25th, I will leave New jersey and go visit my cousin Marci in Great Neck, New York.

On April 26th, I will leave New York, and go Woodbridge, Connecticut.

On April 28th, I will go to Providence, Rhode Island, and then on May 1st I will fly home from Boston.

To get regular updates, you can become a follower of this blog, so you'll get a message every time I update the blog.

I will also post links to pictures I take along the way.

Gadi