Friday 1st January

This morning we went walking in Central Park with the plastic sled/disc hoping for a place to do some sliding. With no new snow since yesterday morning, the grass was starting to show through. We did find one small slope and Joe and Jess had a nice slide each but Amelia refused to even try it!!

We walked and walked and found all sorts of wonderful vistas:

We found Strawberry Fields which was a nice little corner, not far from where John Lennon used to live. Did a quick walk around it (5 minutes!!) to honour the his memory.

This is Amelia demolishing a hotdog!

In the ground near the entrance is this nice tribute to John Lennon. There was a busker sitting nearby singing Lennon songs.

We then finally found the horse and carriage rides - something we had been looking for for quite a while. It is a bit of a take - they follow each other around a short part of the Park and you don't see much but it was worth it for the novelty factor!! Amelia cried when she had to get off.

We then split up and Joe walked back to the apartment, Jess and Amelia went to the Central Park Zoo and I just wandered around the streets checking out some of the beautiful shop windows. Some of the shops were having sales but there were queues to get in. I am still waiting to do some bargain shopping. I then braved the crowds at FOA Schwarz toy store. It was mostly stuffed toys!! and it was stuffed with people.

I then headed up 5th Avenue and eventually came to the Guggenheim Museum. Unfortunately, it was getting a little late and I was worried that if I went in I would have to walk back through Central Park when it was dark. Might see if I can get back here before we leave.

The Guggenheim is almost directly across Central Park from our street so I entered the Park and walked around the reservoir. It was quite beautiful but the snowy walking path of yesterday was mud and big puddles today!!

This is looking across the reservoir to the western side where we are staying

This is looking towards the east side - the Guggenheim is in the middle

This is the walking path around the reservoir - you can see all the mud and puddles. The lights come on at about 4pm!

I was really surprised how safe Central Park is. It has been embrassed by local residents with enthusiasm and there are people everywhere walking their dogs, jogging, riding bikes or just ambling! At least I got some exercise today to counter all the food I have been eating!!

A footnote to Niagara Falls - I couldn't believe how expensive food was there and the taxes....... Joe and I had a light dinner at TGI Fridays and it cost $44.45 (which was exorbitant for what it was) but then there was GST - $2.22, Food Tax - $3.56, D.F.P (? tax) $1.33 bringing it to $51.56 and then they expect a tip on top of that!! The same food it about 1/2 the price here in New York.