We checked out of our hotel, stowed our luggage and set out for a final adventure in NYC. We headed up 5th avenue to our first stop, Grand Central Station. It was big and ornate and just like you would expect from every NY-based movie you have ever seen. It has changed a lot since it first opened in 1871 when it’s location was at the outskirts of town. The current version was unveiled in 1913 and has continued to grow as the city expanded and wealth in the area increased.

Our next stop was inspired by Jane. We explored the NYC Public Library. This wasn’t a stop I would normally think to see, but Wow, was it worth it. The building was built by the donations of NY’s wealthy elite. We viewed the treasures room which housed a first edition of the King James Bible (1611), a Gutenberg bible (1455), and the original toys owned by Christopher Robin Milne (aka inspiration for Winnie the Pooh) among other riches.

We wandered by the Empire State Building at street level and were underwhelmed. None of us felt the need to pay $50USD for the view, so we “86’d” that idea and kept on walking. one of the unique views we encountered were the COVID-19 testing tents. These were all over Manhattan. This was obviously to support locals to get tested, but also targeted tourists needing to test to go home.

We worked our tired and battered feedback to the hotel in time for a leisurely trip to the airport. The 45 minute drive went in fits of race & rally driving to snail paced strategic lane changing. Our driver was skilled but it was also ok to keep my eyes focused on the tv screen in the back seat.

Dale and I abandoned our friends at JFK airport and headed to the Business class lounge. This was a treat as Dale will, hopefully, for the first time, cross the Atlantic with sufficient leg room. A bonus is that wine and dinner were included in the waiting area.