We are parked within walking distance of Downtown and the Building, so the second we had parked the step was down and we were out and exploring. Downtown is nice and clean, full of bars and eating type places but there really is a lack of shops. Though I have found this of most places. If you want a shop you have to hit the mall and you will find pretty much the same shops in each. Not many independent retailers. Though there was a nice wine shop just around the corner of the building that had wine tasting on Saturday afternoon.
We also found Bushnell Park on our first day which had a really fun water play park, except it wasn't that hot so it was absent any water, except for a couple of toads who spouted some. We went back another day when it was warmer and willow got covered in toad/frog spit, which she seemed to find amusing. There was a cute literary picnic area made up of rock books and rock seats and a little amphitheater. Also in Bushnell Park was a tree walk, with about 50 variety of trees, but not one willow tree was to be found. There is an old style carousel for the pricey sum of $1 each.
There seemed to be quite a few parks to explore here. On the train run we went over a really skinny wooden bridge which we saw from the other side when we went to Riverside park, which was really close via a footbridge. Its a really nice park right next to the river (hence the name) with quite a bit to do there and you could walk right along the river bank into downtown.
We also managed to visit the Children's museum with Tweedy in tow which was a first. It was a short bus ride away (past Mark Twain's house) in West Hartford. It also had a planetarium like the children's museum in Portsmouth which gave Tweedy the chance for a little sleep. Willows favourite was the bubbles and Dino golf (crazy golf) which is something else to be added to out garden if we ever have one again.
Another museum we visited was The Old State house, which was a lot more fun than we imagined it to be. There were a couple of floors of 'history talk' via a hand held tour thing (I'm sure someone will tell me their official name) which I think Willow appreciated more than Tweedy and myself since she is studying American History at school and understood more references than us. Downstairs was great and very hands on, there where even a couple of clips of the show from way back. I think I enjoyed it more than the children's museum.
As well as all the museums here, Hartford also seemed to be rich in the arts and theater, though we didn't get a chance to experience it ourselves. Another thing we didn't manage to do that Willow wanted was visit Rocky Hill, Dinosaur State Park. But you couldn't get there on public transport and we are limited to the amount we can fit in each place.
www.TheChildrensMuseumCT.org
www.bushnellpark.org
www.ctosh.org
Monday, May 11, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Providence, Rhode Island.
The train was once again parked in a big long line but this week we were back to gravel, stones and dust, and to make it even worse, the bus couldn't drive down side of the train and we were at the wrong end. Resulting in a 20 minute walk to the bus in the morning and a 20 minute walk back, which isn't to bad unless you are carrying all your grocery shopping or a school bag that feels like it is packed with rocks.
The building was pretty much joined to the mall so that was handy and there was a Walmart and Stop and Shop a little walk from the train. The main advantage of having a mall so close though is not the shops, its the free wifi, updating and uploading here we go.
It was a short week, this week due to a two day train run so we didn't explore all that much. We did go to a Reptile Zoo though which was fun and very hands on. As well as the crocodiles, snakes and turtles they had a selection of farm animals too. Willows favourite was a baby rabbit named spot. Actually she liked all the babies and found out that one day old guinea pigs look older and can fend for themselves better than week old rats.
The building was pretty much joined to the mall so that was handy and there was a Walmart and Stop and Shop a little walk from the train. The main advantage of having a mall so close though is not the shops, its the free wifi, updating and uploading here we go.
It was a short week, this week due to a two day train run so we didn't explore all that much. We did go to a Reptile Zoo though which was fun and very hands on. As well as the crocodiles, snakes and turtles they had a selection of farm animals too. Willows favourite was a baby rabbit named spot. Actually she liked all the babies and found out that one day old guinea pigs look older and can fend for themselves better than week old rats.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hampton
We arrived here minus Willow as she had her first ever sleep over and travelled overland, technically we all travel 'overland' but it is term used here to mean by road and not by train. Willows best friend here doesn't live on the train, she lives in a trailer and is usually parked at the building which is a shame as they don't get to hang out as much as they could. She liked staying there, so much she stayed an extra night. How many children can look out the bedroom window and see Zebras.
Hampton train yard was actually in Newport News and the train was in a big long line, again. It wasn't as bad as it could be though with the bus being able to drive the full length (saves a long walk) and it being beside tarmac instead of stones, dirt and dust. Its the small things that make life bearable! We actually had lots of fun at this train yard, playing games outside with the Chinese children and generally hanging out. I hear a few BBQ went on as well. What a difference the sun makes to life on the circus. Though its not that fun when your AC stops working and it is 94 in your car at 10pm!! Thankfully it was sorted pretty quick.
On Google map it looked like there was a beach not too far away from the train, certainly walk able. Well walk able by UK standards, we managed to get a lift there and walked the 45 minutes back. There was sea and sand and we managed a paddle but it wasn't a beach I would walk 45 minutes for again. There was a decent play park next to it though so Willow was very happy.
The building this week was pretty good being right next to a pond and shops, lots and lots of shops. The Chinese and Russians spent quite a bit of time fishing in the pond and caught an array of gilled things. Looking at the water though I'm really not sure I would have wanted to fry any of them and serve it with chips. I was half expecting some very sick performers but I guess their stomachs are stronger than mine.
Hampton train yard was actually in Newport News and the train was in a big long line, again. It wasn't as bad as it could be though with the bus being able to drive the full length (saves a long walk) and it being beside tarmac instead of stones, dirt and dust. Its the small things that make life bearable! We actually had lots of fun at this train yard, playing games outside with the Chinese children and generally hanging out. I hear a few BBQ went on as well. What a difference the sun makes to life on the circus. Though its not that fun when your AC stops working and it is 94 in your car at 10pm!! Thankfully it was sorted pretty quick.
On Google map it looked like there was a beach not too far away from the train, certainly walk able. Well walk able by UK standards, we managed to get a lift there and walked the 45 minutes back. There was sea and sand and we managed a paddle but it wasn't a beach I would walk 45 minutes for again. There was a decent play park next to it though so Willow was very happy.
The building this week was pretty good being right next to a pond and shops, lots and lots of shops. The Chinese and Russians spent quite a bit of time fishing in the pond and caught an array of gilled things. Looking at the water though I'm really not sure I would have wanted to fry any of them and serve it with chips. I was half expecting some very sick performers but I guess their stomachs are stronger than mine.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Norfolk VA, Mermaid City.
I really liked New York (just in case there is anyone who didn't realise) so I was a tiny bit concerned I would hate the next place we went to just because it wouldn't live up to the few weeks before. Well Norfolk certainly isn't New York but it is really nice. Its a nice clean, pretty city.
The train was parked in one of the biggest train yards so far and was split in 4 and all parked side by side. I really liked it this way and it is way more sociable than being in a big long mile long train, especially when you live in one of the end cars. I liked people popping in past our door and it was nice to have a neighbour to wave at out the window.
The building seemed so small compared to Madison Square and I'm sure the performers noticed not only a difference in the size but the difference in the actual audience also.
It was only a short walk to the mall from the building, not a particularly great mall but a mall all the same. We were also close to the water front which was really nice and we caught an old paddle steamer from the dock over to Portsmouth and went to The Children's Museum in old Portsmouth. It wasn't a big museum but we had fun, my favourite bit was the film 'Missing Season' when we got to be right up there with all the stars.
We managed to go on board on of the tall ships docked at the front also. One of them is owned by 'The twelve tribes' and they welcomed us onto their home and Willow watched them throw pots to sell. She would have stayed all day but I had to drag her away to catch the bus, which we missed anyway.
Norfolk's symbol is the mermaid and there are a lot of them scattered all over the city. They weren't as hard to find as the 'mice on main' due to their size but there were a lot of them and I think spread quite far so we didn't find them all.
The train was parked in one of the biggest train yards so far and was split in 4 and all parked side by side. I really liked it this way and it is way more sociable than being in a big long mile long train, especially when you live in one of the end cars. I liked people popping in past our door and it was nice to have a neighbour to wave at out the window.
The building seemed so small compared to Madison Square and I'm sure the performers noticed not only a difference in the size but the difference in the actual audience also.
It was only a short walk to the mall from the building, not a particularly great mall but a mall all the same. We were also close to the water front which was really nice and we caught an old paddle steamer from the dock over to Portsmouth and went to The Children's Museum in old Portsmouth. It wasn't a big museum but we had fun, my favourite bit was the film 'Missing Season' when we got to be right up there with all the stars.
We managed to go on board on of the tall ships docked at the front also. One of them is owned by 'The twelve tribes' and they welcomed us onto their home and Willow watched them throw pots to sell. She would have stayed all day but I had to drag her away to catch the bus, which we missed anyway.
Norfolk's symbol is the mermaid and there are a lot of them scattered all over the city. They weren't as hard to find as the 'mice on main' due to their size but there were a lot of them and I think spread quite far so we didn't find them all.
Tags
2009,
childrens Museum,
circus,
Ferry,
Mermaids,
Norfolk VA,
Portsmouth,
RBBB,
Train,
USA
'New York, New York so great they named it twice'
When ever I heard that quote I always thought “ye, ye sure it is”. But I have to admit it is true, I love New York, it has become one of my favourite cities. Within seconds of my feet hitting the sidewalk I felt I could live here. Of course that was before I realised how much it actually costs to live here, but still I can dream.
Another bonus of New York was catching up with family and friends. My mum and dad came to stay for a week and Willow moved into their hotel room, it was great to see them and we had a great time while they where here. We met up with friends who now live in New York (some I hadn't seen for about 10 years) and some who just came to visit.
Even Willow loved city life, though living in a built up area is always helped if you can find a small space to escape from it occasionally, though small space is not how you would describe Central Park. I could have visited every day we were here and still not explored it all or got bored. When my mum and dad visited we did the tourist thing and went on a horse drawn taxi ride and spent time at the play park, actually Willow spent a few days having fun there. While my mum and dad visited we tried to fit a few of the touristy type things in that do need to be done at some point, like a cruise down The Hudson River, floating right by Miss Liberty herself. Willow spent a lot of time with them doing the bus tours and I expect she saw lots of New York I didn't see.
Willow didn't have that much school while we where here, we had lots of other 'educational' things to do. She fitted in enough hours to fit her quota though and how many children can say they have been to a school inside Madison Square Gardens.
Hitting the shops is also a compulsory activity so had to fit quite a bit of that in also. The 5 floor M&M store seemed a hit with certain people as did the tallest Toys R Us Store that was big enough to have a full size ferris wheel in it. Times Square in general was a hit with Willow but was a nightmare if you needed to get from one side to the other. Another must is The Museum of Natural History and we left it till the last day but I'm so glad we managed to get there as it was loads of fun.
We also managed to get to the theater a few times without child and pretended to be real adults for the evening. The Family Dimitri was a really nice show and Tweedy was pleased to meet Dimitri, we met Dimitri and his son David again when we went to Waiting for Godot a few weeks later as well. Waiting for Godot is a brilliant show about nothing, with a brilliant cast that makes that nothing so important. Bill Erwin (Vladimir), Nathan Lane (Estragon), John Goodman and John Glover.
There where also quite a few parties while we were here, all good fun!
I was sad to leave New York and a little worried that the next stop would be really flat but at least the train ride out was interesting as we had a house guest in the shape of a little puppy named Magic.
Another bonus of New York was catching up with family and friends. My mum and dad came to stay for a week and Willow moved into their hotel room, it was great to see them and we had a great time while they where here. We met up with friends who now live in New York (some I hadn't seen for about 10 years) and some who just came to visit.
Even Willow loved city life, though living in a built up area is always helped if you can find a small space to escape from it occasionally, though small space is not how you would describe Central Park. I could have visited every day we were here and still not explored it all or got bored. When my mum and dad visited we did the tourist thing and went on a horse drawn taxi ride and spent time at the play park, actually Willow spent a few days having fun there. While my mum and dad visited we tried to fit a few of the touristy type things in that do need to be done at some point, like a cruise down The Hudson River, floating right by Miss Liberty herself. Willow spent a lot of time with them doing the bus tours and I expect she saw lots of New York I didn't see.
Willow didn't have that much school while we where here, we had lots of other 'educational' things to do. She fitted in enough hours to fit her quota though and how many children can say they have been to a school inside Madison Square Gardens.
Hitting the shops is also a compulsory activity so had to fit quite a bit of that in also. The 5 floor M&M store seemed a hit with certain people as did the tallest Toys R Us Store that was big enough to have a full size ferris wheel in it. Times Square in general was a hit with Willow but was a nightmare if you needed to get from one side to the other. Another must is The Museum of Natural History and we left it till the last day but I'm so glad we managed to get there as it was loads of fun.
We also managed to get to the theater a few times without child and pretended to be real adults for the evening. The Family Dimitri was a really nice show and Tweedy was pleased to meet Dimitri, we met Dimitri and his son David again when we went to Waiting for Godot a few weeks later as well. Waiting for Godot is a brilliant show about nothing, with a brilliant cast that makes that nothing so important. Bill Erwin (Vladimir), Nathan Lane (Estragon), John Goodman and John Glover.
There where also quite a few parties while we were here, all good fun!
I was sad to leave New York and a little worried that the next stop would be really flat but at least the train ride out was interesting as we had a house guest in the shape of a little puppy named Magic.
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