Trip To NYC

Saturday, August 7, 2010

From Black Bear Campground, Florida, NY

On Thursday we went to NYC to do a little sight-seeing and maybe camera shopping.  I have been wanting to upgrade from my Canon 20D (8 Mega-pixel) to a later and greater camera.  My 20D has served me will and I have been more than pleased with it.  With the 20D I have a 18-55 mm zoom lens and a 70-300 mm zoom.

I have had my eye on either a 7D Canon (18 Meg-pixel) or a 5D Mark II (21.1 Mega-pixel), and leaning toward the 5D because it is a 'full-frame' camera.  Two of the most popular internet sources in NYC for cameras are B & H and 42nd Street Photo.

So we drove over to Peekskill on the eastern shore of the Hudson to catch the MTA train to Grand Central Terminal.  During peak hours of commute the trains run about every 30 minutes for the 55 minute ride into NYC.

We got to the station just in time to purchase tickets from the ticket machine and the train arrived for boarding.  The ride into NYC was very comfortable and very few stops.  The last couple of miles to the station was underground.  We walked the platform to the terminal.  Quite a sight.

The picture below was actually taken when we returned to the station on the way back to the coach.

 

We left the terminal and started walking toward 5th Avenue where the 42nd Street Camera store was located.  At one time it had been on 42nd street, hence the name, but is now on 5th Ave just a block from the Empire State Building.

The walk was about 3/4 mile or so, but I made it just fine, with a couple of rest stops.

Once I let the young salesman know what I was interested in, he brought over one of the older guys, who also happened to be the manager and part owner.  He was very helpful in helping make decisions on which camera and which lenses would be best for me.

I decided on the 5D and a 120-400 Sigma Zoom Lens.  Sigma lens ratings are actually higher than Canon.  My plans were to continue to use the 18-55 lens that I already have on the 20D.  He thought I probably had and EF lens and that it would work, so I did not buy a smaller lens.  As it turned out my lens is an EF-S and does not fit the new camera.  So, until I can get a smaller lens for the 5D, will just continue to use both cameras.

After finishing the purchase and since we were now lugging around quite a bit of camera equipment, we took a taxi to Times Square.  The trip was not too far and the fare was only $4.  A part of Broadway for several blocks in Times Square is now a pedestrian mall with lots people.

We took a table out in the open and below is Donna with the ABC Network rolling sign in the background.

A few more scenes from Time Square:

..the Hard Rock Cafe...

.. the Toys R Us store and its tribute to Dora.

..and Planet Hollywood where we had lunch.

Our lunch of two salads, one iced tea, and one coffee cost $40 plus tips. 

After lunch we caught another taxi to the south entrance to Central Park.  It was a little further ride and cost a little over $10, but worth it.  We had planned on a Carriage Ride through the park, but learned the carriages only operate at night because the heat is rough on the horses.

So, we hired a Pedi-Cab, kinda like a rickshaw but pedaled by the tour guide.  Our guy was from Spain and is a student in NYC, mostly learning English right now.  But, he spoke very good English and was very knowledgeable about the park.

 

The park is very wooded with over 26,000 trees on just 843 acres.

 

Donna & I in front of the Goddess of Water with the Row Boat Lake behind.

On the West Side of the Park (the NEW Money Side) is the Dakota Building.  This is where John Lenon and his wife lived and where is was killed.  Two eternal flames burn on either side of the entrance.

By the time we finished our Pedi-Tour it was almost 4pm and traffic was really getting heavy.  We grabbed a cab (lucky) and headed back to Grand Central Terminal.  We only waited about 20 minutes for our train and had an uneventful trip back to the Peekskill Station.

On both Friday and today we mostly hung around the coach doing a few chores.  We did drive over to a nearby town to get some prescription filled at a Walgreen's, had lunch at a local deli, drove over to Middletown, NY to a Borders store, and cooked outside Friday night.

Tomorrow, Sunday, we leave heading further north for several days in a campground south of the Adirondack mountains.  We hope lots of sights to see in that area.

Till next time....

Comments

[Helen Moll]

Great Pictures... Thanks a bunch

[Marty Hill]

My bride, Roz, is originally from The Big Apple and your photos brought back a lot of memories. Thanks for sharing,
Marty

[Paul Anderson]

Keith,

Not sure where you folks are gonna land near the Adirondacks, but if you're close enough, the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is pretty awesome. http://www.adkmuseum.org/

Travel safe. SKP Hugs

[Dortha Hall]

Looks like you guys had a great trip into the city. Can't wait to see your new camera.

Travel safe and enjoy upstate NY. It is so pretty there.

See you soon.