February 16, 2016 - Tanya's Trip to Quebec - Day 13

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: NYC

Back in the USA

​Well everyone, that was it.
After spending a lovely morning in Montreal, we said our farewells to Canada yesterday (until next time) and got on-board the Adriondack Train for NYC. 

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde)

This time around, the train was a bit crowded and the car was a bit tighter than the last (making it uncomfortable for Cosette).
Plus going through customs took all that much longer - and they even escorted a few people off!! Not sure what that was about - but those people weren't making the ride.

Bas-Reliefs depicting Canadian life, arts and industry inside the Central Station (Montreal)

​We really had nothing to complain about and were ready for the relaxing and beautiful haul back into the states.
This was after all the first time on our vacation that we could relax (since the train ride up). 
​And so we each took our turns taking semi-short naps, reading, writing, and looking out the window at the passing scenery and the weather change.

We woke up to the blue skies above Montreal, and after only a couple of hours on the train, those skies turned to white, and eventually snowfall.
Until arriving in NYC that is, the temps were up and although there were remnants of snow on the ground, that was turning to yucky slush as the snow had turned to rain.
​(I do love the rain btw - just not the slush).

And today I greet you from Queens, my old stomping grounds and we are at my Grandma's house visiting. I'm the only one awake right now - I think we kept the residents up past there bedtime.

The weather today is forecasted to rain, and it certainly did just that throughout the night, but is now taking a short intermission.
The temps are ridiculously warm for February, it's 53 degrees (47 with the windchill) and it looks like all the (very few) cold days that New York has had are behind them.
The forecast for the next couple of weeks is all in the 40's-50's!

Can you imagine...just 2 days ago in Quebec that we were experiencing windchill temperatures that were almost 100 degrees colder?! That's Canada for ya!

Not sure we will be back until next winter - and we won't be able to make the Carnaval next year, as we will be doing our European Ski Circuit at the same time.
But I REALLY really want to go back to do a ski trip back to Banff - I was thinking either January 2017 or March for my Birthday Trip!  

Speaking of ski trips - we've got 2 more for this season: Lake Tahoe, CA/NV and Park City, Utah!

By this time next week we will swooshing down the slopes of Heavenly overlooking the crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe!

Lots happening over the next few days - hopefully you can keep up!

• Visiting in NYC until tomorrow night, then returning to SoCal. 
• Cosette has Horse Back riding on Thursday AND we will be going to see Dream AND the kids have a performance that evening!
• We will be going back to see Dream on Friday, and then doing an overnight field trip to the USS Iowa in San Pedro, CA with the International Peace Choir.

• On Saturday morn after waking up in a bunk on the USS Iowa, Dave and I will be heading off to Los Angeles for the annual Firecracker Bike Ride. And the kiddos will be getting a ride home. ​

• The rest of Saturday Dave and I will be having a make-up Valentine's Day.
• Sunday is my baby sister Brigitte's 25th Birthday!
• And Monday we will be heading out bright and early to Lake Tahoe!

Whew! Doing it all is great, but sometimes thinking about it can be a bit tiring! Go figure.

Oh well folks, I wish you a great day & I'll see you back here tomorrow!
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 32 DAYS

Tuesday Travel Thoughts - near and far

Hey Guys!! 

Well, here I am on the second day of the kids' Winter Break vacation!!

We are spending the week out in Southampton so we are closer to the barn for the girls to ride every day.

One of the other "riding moms" was so very kind and offered us a place to stay this week to alleviate all the driving back and forth from home, since I can no longer stay in my lovely Remsenburg House (insert sad face) with the divorce proceeding.

I always say, when one door closes, another opens.  The kids are thrilled to be able to stay with their bestie!

I am in amazement at the change in weather -- yesterday was freezing - 9 degrees when we left Nassau and snowing when the kids finished riding in the afternoon. It was way to cold for me to just hang out there while they rode!

Today, I get up to some sunshine (though short-lived) and the temp was 47 degrees!!  Supposed to get up into the 50's today.  Crazy!!!

But, at least the girls will be riding in a much warmer arena today!

Travelin-wise...

The past few weeks, my plans needed to be altered due to sick kiddies staying home from school. Well, I'm going to try for 3x's a charm to make it to the Lewis H. Lattimer House tomorrow.  The hours are limited to Wednesdays and Fridays, which added to the difficulty in getting there.  But, hopefully tomorrow will work out...finally!

I wanted to do a special feature on two great Black Americans -- Louis Armstrong and Lewis H. Lattimer -- and their respective Museums in Queens in honor of Black History Month this February!

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TANYA'S ONGOING TRAVELS FROM QUEBEC TO NEW YORK CITY!!

Here's to a great visit with her Grandma in Queens!!

Even though it's not Throwback Thursday, I have this great picture of all the cousins back in 2013 while Tanya and gang were in New York and we all made a fun trip to Arthur Avenue ("Little Italy") in the Bronx to Dominick's Restaurant.

I won't lie, I'm getting cabin fever with this Winter weather and with the kids having a few weeks of illness.

There are SOOO MANY local places, events and museums I have to get to.  Once the weather is warm and clear (perhaps another few weeks), I'll hit the ground running with a few visits per week to local places to tell you all about throughout Long Island and the New York City boroughs!

TRAVELIN' TUESDAY...
As you probably noticed, I'll be taking a little trip next month.  Nothing terribly exciting, but me and the girlies will be heading to South Florida again.

This trip, however, I'll be seeing a bunch of the sites and keeping active.  Last trip at Christmas time, was a trip of rest and doing NOTHING.

I needed it with all the stress of my Fall.  But, I'm feeling energized and good and back to my old (not that old!) self!

This week last year, we were on our Florida Road Trip!  Here area few memories!!

In Disney World at the Crystal Palace Restaurant - one of my favorites! - one year ago

Memories of Boca Raton, Florida - one year ago!

Here are a few MUST-DO's that I plan to do this trip!!  Can't wait to get out the camera and feel like a
Travelin' Cousins again! 

Jungle Island - Miami, FL http://www.jungleisland.com/
With a 75 year history, Jungle Island combines the beauty of Miami’s tropical landscape with a jungle full of animals from around the globe.

Miami Seaquarium - Miami, FL http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/
I think the girls would love to get up close and personal with the dolphins!!!
 
Everglades National Park http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and a  a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, it is home to  numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee,  American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.

I think Dad would enjoy this!

Everglades Alligator Farm – Florida City, FL http://www.everglades.com/
Everglades Alligator Farm contains more than 2,000 alligators! Glide across the everglades on one of our guided airboat tours. Alligator, snake, and wildlife shows are performed hourly.
 
Sounds fun!!

Lion Country Safari - Loxahatchee, FL http://www.lioncountrysafari.com/
This sounds like fun!! Florida’s only drive-through safari and walk-through amusement park invites you to spend the day on safari with over 900 animals. With animal displays and encounters, animal feeding experiences, 9 rides, water sprayground, food, shopping and more, you are sure to have a memorable experience at Lion Country Safari.
 
Jungle Queen Riverboat – Fort Lauderdale, FL http://www.junglequeen.com/
Not sure the kiddies would enjoy this, but, sure sounds like fun for the adults!!  90 minute and 3 hour cruises available with varying themes.
 
Museum of Discovery & Science – Fort Lauderdale, FL 
http://www.mods.org/home.htm
Great interactive exhibits including an IMAX theatre!
I may be able to get my kids to do this on a rainy day.

Water Taxi – Fort Lauderdale, FL http://www.watertaxi.com/
The Water Taxi experience is like a trolley tour! You pay one fare and can hop on and off all day. The Water Taxi Tour has a total of 18 stops including  several beach locations as well as Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The Water Taxi staff narrates the scenes along the Intracoastal Waterway. 

I think kids might be bored with this - but it could be a fun mommy and me day for me and my mommy!!

Well, that's a wrap.  I'll be coming to you from Queens tomorrow!!

Stay dry - supposed to rain today on Long Island!

-E
xoxo