Thursday

No walk this morning. After a late night and only one person showing up yesterday I chose to sleep in--I did tell the previous day walker that I was not walking Thursday.

This morning's first lecture was Introduction to Dutch and Colonial New York. Another excellent lecture, full of history, and wit in presentation. It was a good intro for the rest of the day which was to be spent at the Southern tip of Manhattan. Would be interesting to reflect on how things would have been different if the Dutch had stayed in control instead of the English.

After the lecture we were off to South Ferry on the subway and our day of adventure. We walked over to the National Museum of the American Indian to get our bearings and be turned loose for exploring and lunch. Since I am not very familiar with the area Ray, one of the staff, took me under his wing and showed me around. We walked up to see the first capitol building and the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street. Then we walked up to see where the gold is stored. Actually one of the most beautiful buildings of the federal government. From there we walked toward the World Trade Center site for lunch. After lunch it was time to head back to the museum for our tour.

The American Indian museum is located in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House building, a lovely Beaux-Arts building. We were met by Angela, our native American guide. We watched a video on one of the native people's creation story prior to going into the exhibits. It was very interesting to have Angela as our guide and see things through her perspective. Unfortunately we only had time to be in part of one of the exhibits. Another case of a museum I will have to go back to so I can enjoy what is really there.

From there it was a short walk to Fraunces Tavern and our lecture there. Fraunces Tavern has been a New York meeting house since 1762. It is the site of George Washington's Farewell Address to his officers. We had a lecture on the history of the tavern in the Flag room and then had a bit of time to explore on ourself. When it was time to go 4 of the folks thought it was a shame to have to leave the tavern without having a drink. So, since there were 3 staff, and some of our people were taking a cab back to hotel instead of the subway, I stayed down with them for a glass of wine.

As the 5 of us sat there talking one said she was sorry she hadn't realized how close we were to the World Trade Center site. I looked at my watch in figured we had time to go over there, view site and St. Paul's, catch a subway, and make it back for supper. So off we went.

It was a very moving time. I find it amazing how the site changes each time I go down there. It is really cleaned up now compared to my first visit a year ago. We spent more time in St. Paul's chapel than I had before. There are many memorials with items that folks placed at the WTC site in the days following 9-11. A very sobering way to end the tour, but lasting memories. We made it back to the hotel with 3 minutes to spare to get to dinner.

After dinner there was an optional visit to the Museum of Arts and Design. I think about 10 folks went. When we got there Molly mentioned a free concert at St. Patrick's Church so 5 of us went over there. Ann and Patricia stayed for the entire concert but Bonnie, Judy and I left after the St. Pat's choir finished their portion of the concert and went over to Rockefeller Center, then on to Times Square and back to the hotel.

Another busy but fulfilling day.

Original US Capitol Building

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US Stock Exchange

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Trinity Church down Wall Street

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where the gold is
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US Customs House

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View up Broadway from the US Customs House

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Interior of US Customs House showing murals on the ceiling

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4 of the group in front of St. Paul's Chapel, WTC

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One of shrines inside of chapel from items left right after 9-11

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electric fountain at Rockefeller Center

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The one who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the one doing it.--Proverb