New York City

What a great time we had!

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was an experience I'll never forget. Some people crowd up front just hoping to get on television. They were crazy costumes (we saw a couple of turkeys) and bring special friends with them ( a guy of 50+ was carrying his old teddy bear). The envied few have a unique opportunity to see the parade inside of buildings lining the street. They write signs back and forth to people in the buildings across the street.

I am probably just as strange as everyone else. We arrived less than five minutes late for our train from New Jersey to Penn Station. You have to understand that we arrived in New Jersey about 1 am and woke up he and his brother at 4:30 am. Matthew (as tall as he is) could not see the parade. What strange thing did I do? I put him on my back for most of the time so that he could see.

We got turned around afterward and instead of heading for Central Park, we ended up at the Empire State Building. It was fantastic! Since we were only in New York for two days, we could say we saw it all, because we did - atop the Empire State Building.

On Friday we went to see the Statue of Liberty. Everyone should take that trip if they can. What that statue has come to mean to so many people is great. I am impressed by the opportunities for freedom from oppression, religious persecution and even starvation that Lady Liberty represents.

Liberty made me think of our liberty in Christ. One of the quotes, "Liberty is not the right to do what one wants, but the right to do what one must." -- Patrick Henry, made me think of Romans 7. Without Christ we have no hope of this type of liberty, because we are enslaved to sin and even when we try to do what is right we sin.

On Saturday we had such a special treat. Dave and I often ate a breakfast/brunch restaurant called Le Peep when we were dating. The location in Atlanta closed, but we got the opportunity to go to one in New Jersey. They have such special breakfast foods and such a unique atmosphere that we have always enjoyed it.

Then we stopped at . . .

H E R S H E Y

Sorry. It was wonderful.

Dave really surprised us with this trip. What a treat!

Pictures to come later.