I always get a thrill when I encounter a mounted policeman, probably because it combines my two fantasy professions: being a cattle rancher and a police officer. (I actually looked into the latter but it was after I'd reached the upper limit of their age discrimination.) The leaves on display as we approached Pier 78 hinted at the glorious views we expected when we signed up for a Fall Foliage cruise up the Hudson.
Before boarding we took a moment to admire the most modern transportation hub in New York City. When I worked in New Jersey I went through these doors for my daily commute. And as my office on the opposite shore was located on a boat - the last remaining Ellis Island Ferry Boat - I lived a rather nautical life for a Manhattanite.
I imagined this trip to be an insider thing to do until I spotted the mini statue of liberty - always a sign that one has entered the "tourist-zone." Indeed, no New Yorkers in sight, at least not the types I see every day on my way to Madison Avenue. Nevertheless, with the mist rolling in, we were excited about the journey.
I pictured us lolling up the river with nothing but the hum of the motor to ease our way. Not once did my picture include a self-amused tour director with a microphone dredging up a running commentary from the Intrepid to the Tappan Zee Bridge. We explored every avenue for escaping his prattle except the obvious option of jumping overboard.
Nevertheless, we enjoyed seeing Grant's Tomb, West Point and a few river front hamlets from our waterview. Just as we crossed under the Tappan Zee (bringing reminicences of Daycroft weekends) our tour director turned off his microphone (hallelujah!) and the rains began. We weathered it on the top deck for awhile, then joined the rest of our sparse crew below where a few had taken to finishing out this trip with a nap!
In short, a beautiful trip to take with your elementary school class or your mother! I don't recommend it as a romantic jaunt. But if you go, make sure you're armed with your ipod and noise-canceling headphones!
Our jaunt down to Baltimore ran the gamut from commercial to cultural to kitsch. It was an easy train trip from New York with a five minute ride to our hotel just over the bridge from Baltimore's Inner Harbor - a perfect launching pad for our forays to the Aquarium, Baltimore Museum of Art and walking tour of Hampden.
The Inner Harbor is chalk-full of child-friendly fun and we only had time for the aquarium (my third trip so obviously a highlight). The special Australia exhibit was full of snakes and bats and other cozy creatures. We hit it early and enjoyed it relatively crowd-free. The regular exhibits were so packed I skipped right, over them other than sneaking up the disabled elevator for a brief run through the rainforest. Jaclynn's favorite was the Dolphin Show; Elliott loved the 4-D Polar Express movie; and Shelaine wanted to take home the rescued finless sea-turtle.
A trip to Baltimore is not complete without a visit to the Baltimore Museum of Art (my fourth time) and the fabulous Cone collection. The BMA is free (except for occasional special exhibits) so a wonderful way to while away an afternoon. Before heading out to the sculpture garden, our gaggle of gals gathered on the sofas in front of the 3-D screen and propped ourselves up as Jaclynn toured us through the apartment of Etta and Claribel Cone.
We wandered over to the weirdest part of town where every row house on 34th St. is dressed up in Christmas clutter. This is an annual event in Hampden where kitsch reigns on the Avenue. As we visited on a Sunday afternoon most of the shops were dark, but the Raven's game was playing on the giant-screen TV perched on someone's porch-roof. Did I say weird?
Happy New Year! May your year be blessed with lots of culture and a sprinkling of kitsch! 
