Tag: new york

The Veteran

©2020 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Eighty years ago, the D-Day operation took place.

Thousands of soldiers took part in this important charge and in addition to these participants, the mission employed a millenary of ships, airplanes and tanks.

As with the passage of time, most who lived to recall the events of this day have passed on…

Most of the mechanical craft that saw action have been retired, scrapped or gone to their grave. Incredibly, some have been restored and live on in museums, but there are few that are actively continuing their careers in a different capacity.

The USS LST-510 was designed to be a short-lived assault craft which was designed to allow the landing of both armored and unarmored vehicles on a beach. Appearing to be a basic cargo ship, it was able to deceive those surveilling the area. The LST, also known by its crews as a Large Slow Target, had a flat bottom and was able to sail directly up to or close to shore. It then opened the ramp hidden inside a door on its bow and allowed vehicles to exit and go to combat.

Having contributed to the success of and having survived D-Day, the USL LST-510 was destined to continue its career long into the next century. Now known as the M/V Cape Henlopen, this World War II survivor was sold into commercial hands and was converted into a car ferry. The ferry’s name and owners have changed over the years, but her new mission has remained constant.

Today, the M/V Cape Henlopen crosses the Long Island Sound between Orient Point, New York and New London, Connecticut.

When we had decided to take the ferry while making our way to Massachusetts, we had heard about this World War II survivor from a few locals. Never did we realize, however, that the ferry that we would be traveling on would be this historic seafaring vessel. In fact, as we sat in line, waiting for it to arrive, we were more concerned with the overcast skies and deteriorating weather conditions.

After driving on board, we exited our vehicles and made our way into the wind and drizzle, attempting to climb the stairs to the lounge area as quickly as possible. As I glanced over to the right, a blue sign caught my eye, perhaps the only clue to this ship’s wartime service.

This was the one we had heard of!

Excitedly, we entered the lounge area and took a look around. Sadly, there was nothing more to see which informed travelers of her historic and significant past.

Our ride was uneventful and a short hour and fifteen minutes later, we were arriving in New London.

Ordinarily, upon arriving at one’s destination, passengers are often in a rush to disembark and continue on their journey. As we sat in my friend’s Ford Expedition, we glanced around as we drove slowly from the hold and imagined what the soldiers who manned the vehicles in the hold on that pivotal day must have felt.

Fear and anticipation.

For us, there was only admiration.

This magnificent veteran played such an important part in history and continues to serve the citizens of our nation to this day.

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Cross Sound Ferry

  • https://www.longislandferry.com/
  • Address: 2 Ferry Street, PO Box 33, New London, CT 06320 and 41270 Main Rd, Orient, NY 11957
  • Fares: Vary, depending on traveler type and vehicle
  • Schedule: Vary, check website

Gettin’ Around

© 2019 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Have you ever imagined what it was like to travel by subway when the lines were first introduced in New York City?

At the NY Transit Museum you can find out!

While staying with a friend in Brooklyn, we were searching for something to occupy our morning. She suggested the Transit Museum and I rather reluctantly agreed. After all, we were in Brooklyn and one would think that all the best museums are in Manhattan.

Not so!

The NY Transit Museum offers a look at the history of the city’s transportation from early ships, trains and passenger ferries to modern subways, buses and cars. The museum highlights how mass transit has helped to make the region what it is today through artistic renderings, historic maps, guidebooks and digital technology.

As we walked through the first part of the museum, we were able to analyze photographs and read stories of how the massive undertaking of the construction of the subway system was approached.

Moving on, we witnessed the progression of the toll booths used within the subway system and how payments moved from tokens to the present day metro card. Dating back as far as the subway’s opening in 1904 until ones in used as recently as 2003, the turnstiles displayed here include some used in the 1939 New York World’s Fair, designed to require passengers to pay double fare upon both entry and exit at the World’s Fair subway station. Most of the turnstiles are operable and we enjoyed walking freely through each of them.

Further back on the upper level, the museum covers the other means of transportation within the region via roadways…cars, buses, and older trolleys and some of the methods used to direct traffic, including signs and traffic lights. This part is especially exciting for the younger set as it provides some great photo ops. Ever wanted to see what its like to be a bus or subway driver in the city? You can sit behind the wheel and controls and get a feel for it here!

Other parts of the museum cover a wide selection of maps of the city and the metro system and the city as well as mementos and collections of items found (or used to be found) in the metro stations. There is even a section if comic strips and artwork dealing with travel.

My favorite part of the museum, however, is the one that should be the main reason for visiting. Downstairs is the decommissioned Court Street subway station which was opened on April 9, 1936. Here, two fully powered and operational subway tracks display many historic examples of the city’s subway and elevated railway equipment. These rail cars can still be operated and date back to the city’s subway system beginnings. These cars are fully furnished with vintage advertisements and route maps and you can wander freely throughout each car, taking a seat for a rest (and pretend trip), if you wish.

The subway car which was rebuilt for the movie Money Train is also part of the museum’s collection and the station has been used for many movies and television series throughout the years, including Guilty Bystander, The FBI Story, 1974’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, 2009’s The Taking of Pelham 123 and Life on Mars.

The museum’s subway cars are also sometimes used for excursions such as holiday specials at the end of the year and Yankee and Met events and tickets are available for anyone to purchase.

A few specialized railwork vehicles used in the past for maintenance can be viewed on the platform as well as a large wheel truck and motor (bogie). You can learn about the development of the New York’s rail transit system by checking out the informational panels in the center of the station.

Since space in the station is limited, a large number of museum cars are kept off-site in various subway yards and shops awaiting restoration, undergoing restoration, or in storage. In addition to the museum’s large subway car collection, it also has possession of a sizable fleet of vintage buses. With no area to display these artifacts, they are stored in various bus depots around the city and brought out for special events such as the museum’s annual “Bus Festival” which has been held since 1994.

The New York Transit Museum was quite the enjoyable way to spend a few hours and I must admit, even though it may have not been my first choice for our entertainment for the day, I loved every bit of it and learned a great deal. If you love travel, like I do, take the time to visit this amazing museum and learn about the history of New York City’s transportation.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

New York Transit Museum

  • https://www.nytransitmuseum.org/
  • Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 1000-1600, Saturday and Sunday, 1100-1700. Closed Monday and major holidays.
  • Admission: Adults, $10, Children (ages 2-17) $5, Seniors 62+: $5, Free on Wednesdays. Visitors with Disabilities: $5 with MTA Reduced-Fare MetroCard, MTA Reduced-Fare Easy Pay Card, Access-a-Ride Card, Able-Ride Card, Para-transit Card, or Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) Card
  • Getting There: Nearest subway stations, Borough Hall (2,3,4,5, N,R,W), Jay Street-Metrotech (A,C,F,R), Hoyt Street (2,3).

Empire State of Mind

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Gosh!  I work in New York City.  I’ve spent lots of time in New York City!  What have I not done while in the city?

Sometimes it’s hard to think of things to do.  My son and I were in this exact predicament…we couldn’t think of a thing while in New York for an overnight visit!

What to do?  Pull out your phone and Google Things To Do in New York City. 

Statue of Liberty…yes, done.

High Line…yes, done.

Museum of Natural History…yes, done.

Empire State Building…NO!  Not done!

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With dinner plans in place for later in the evening, we opted to make the best use of our time.  Calling Lyft, we were quickly on our way to the iconic art deco building on the east side.

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IMG_9881Having heard tales of long lines, I was prepared for a bit of a wait, however, being four o’clock on a winter’s afternoon, it was not busy at all.  Making our way through the maze of roped off areas and security to the ticket counter, we soon had tickets in hand and were on our way to the elevator and the long ride to the top.

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Deciding to purchase tickets for both the Top and Main Deck, we ascended to the 80th floor and the Dare to Dream Exhibit, which chronicles the Empire State Building’s history, engineering and construction.

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An engineering marvel, the Empire State Building, 1,250 feet high, surpassed the Chrysler Building as the tallest building in the world.  Completed on May 1, 1931, it was built in only one year and 45 days.

OrigIMG_1080inal documents, period photographs, architectural sketches, construction notes and photos walk visitors through the creation of the iconic skyscraper.  It is here where you get your first glimpses of Manhattan from a bird’s eye view through the large windows that line this floor.

IMG_9911Taking the elevator, once again, we reached the 86th floor Observatory.  When people imagine visiting the Empire State Building, this is what they think of…the wrap-around deck that gives 360 degree open-air views of the Big Apple.

 

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Very windy and cold, we zipped up our jackets and donned our gloves so that we could enjoy the views of Central Park, the Hudson and East Rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and everything in between and beyond.  Because it was nearing sunset, we had amazing views of the changing sky to the west.

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Finally, we boarded the elevator for the 102nd floor and the Top Deck.  Instead of a manually operated elevator, this one shows the altitude rise instead of counting floors and we were soon at our destination.  In short time, we were exiting onto this topmost floor, where sadly, nothing was much different than the 86th floor.

Same views, just a little higher.

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When we had purchased out tickets, we had assumed that “the higher, the better”.  Though warmer and protected, I must admit, we were a little disappointed.  A very claustrophobic and small area, the windows were a bit higher up and a bit dirty.  Honestly, I would have preferred to return to the 86th floor to enjoy the final moments of the sunset.

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After a few pictures, to capture the fact that we paid an extra twenty dollars to visit the topmost floor, we were soon on our way, back to the bottom.

An impressive building, I would say that it is a must-see while in New York.  That being said, skip the 102nd floor and spend your time on the Main Deck Observatory.  After all, Hollywood has filmed many movies (An Affair to Remember, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, to name a few) up here.  There’s a reason for that!

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For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

Empire State Building

  • http://www.esbnyc.com/
  • Address:  17-25 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
  • Hours:  0800-0200, daily
  • Admission:  Standard Pass Main Deck, includes Dare to Dream Exhibit (80th floor), Observation Deck (86th floor, indoor and outdoor), Adult, $34, Child, $27, Senior, $31.  Standard Pass Top and Main Deck, also includes 102nd floor observatory (indoor), Adult, $54, Child $47, Senior, $51.  VIP Passes also available to skip the lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navigating New York

© 2016  Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

It’s been twenty-something years since I first visited New York City.  I remember how scared I was of getting around the city and didn’t quite understand the subway system.  Needless to say, a lot of money was spent on cab rides to and from the airport and around Manhattan.

After being based in the New York for 19 years, finally, I think I can say that I have it all figured out.  Much to my surprise, many do not.  And when I say many, I am really referring to my fellow flight attendants.  Certainly, I do not expect someone to arrive in New York city, if they’ve never been there, and understand all the ins and outs.  What puzzles me is that there are flight attendants that have been based there just as long or longer than me and still do not know how to get from one airport to the other or even just into Manhattan without a cab.

Here are some helpful tips for anyone trying to get from one airport to the other, from the airports to Manhattan or just getting around on the subway.

You booked a crazy itinerary to get a cheap fare.  You are landing in LaGuardia and flying out a few hours later from JFK on an international flight. Getting from LaGuardia Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport can be accomplished in many ways.  

  • Take a cab.  When walking out of baggage claim, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic and the time of day, a yellow cab will cost around $45.00 and take a minimum of 25 minutes.   Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  New York has excellent bus and subway service. Unfortunately, these two airports are not connected by the subway, but you can achieve the same outcome by taking a combination of bus and subway.  From LGA, purchase a Metrocard from a ticket machine (located within the terminals) and add fare.   By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.  If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  Take the Q70 bus (direct service) to Roosevelt Station.  Total travel time is about 8-10 minutes.  You may also take the Q47 bus, but travel time will be longer as it makes more stops. At Roosevelt Station, take the E train to Jamaica Station.  At Jamaica Station, change to the Airtrain ($5 fee required) and disembark at the appropriate terminal for your airline.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare is $14.00 and drop-off will be at the terminal of your choice.
  • ETS Shuttle.  Private service or shuttle service.  Shuttle service is $10 per person between LGA and JFK, booked at the ground transportation desk.  See the agent in the red jacket.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between the two.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a $31-42 fare.
  • All of the above options can be used from when traveling from JFK to LGA.

Flying into LaGuardia or JFk airport, you want to head into Manhattan for a fun weekend. 

  • Take a cab. When walking out of both LGA’s and JFK’s baggage claims, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic, time of day and drop-off point in the city, a yellow cab from LGA to Manhattan will cost anywhere between $36-$44, with minimum ride time averaging around 30 minutes, again, depending on time of day and drop-off point in the city.   A yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan will average $66-$70 depending on traffic, time of day and drop-off point in the city.  Ride time is approximately 45-60 minutes.  Some cab companies may charge a flat rate from JFK-Manhattan of $52 + tolls.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  Traveling from LGA to Manhattan, you can take the M60 bus to Astoria and catch the subway.   The N or the Q subway lines will take you into the city.  You can also take the same M60 bus all the way into Manhattan. You can also take the Q47 or the Q70 Limited (direct service) to Roosevelt station.  At Roosevelt station, you can connect to the E, F, M and R subway lines.   A Metrocard can be purchased in the baggage claim area from one of the ticket machines.  By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.    If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  From JFK to Manhattan, the Airtrain can be taken to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station.  A $5.00 fee is required to exit the Airtrain station.  At Jamaica Station, you can connect to the E train (for western Queens, midtown Manhattan, and connections to the Bronx) and the J and Z trains (for central Queens and Northern Brooklyn).  Total ride time is approximately 60-75 minutes and fare, $2.75.  At the Jamaica Station, you can also access the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Penn Station, fare $10.00 (Peak) and $7.25 (Off-Peak).  Ride time from Jamaica station is approximately 30 minutes. From Howard Beach Station, you can connect to the A train for southern Queens, Brooklyn and lower Manhattan.  Fare $2.75.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30 pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare to Manhattan is $14.00 per person, offering three drop-off points, Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Penn Station.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between either LGA or JFK and Manhattan.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a $40 fare from LGA to Penn Station and a $47-$62 fare from JFK to Penn Station.

You are flying into LaGuardia or JFK airports and need to get to Newark Airport, later in the day.

  • Take a cab. When walking out of both LGA’s and JFK’s baggage claims, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic and time of day, a yellow cab from LGA to EWR will cost anywhere between $94-$126, with minimum ride time averaging around one hour, again.  A yellow cab from JFK to EWR will average $122-$132 depending on traffic.  Ride time is approximately 60-75 minutes.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  From LGA, take the M60 bus to Astoria and catch the subway.   The N or the Q subway lines will take you into the city, switching at Times Square to the 1, 2 or 3 lines in the direction of Downtown.  One stop and you will be at Penn Station.  You can also take the same M60 bus all the way into Manhattan.  At 125 St – Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Av), connect to the 2 or 3 lines to Penn Station or at 125 St – St Nicholas Av/ Frederick Douglass Blvd, take the A or the C line to Penn Station.  You can also take the Q47 or the Q70 Limited (direct service) from LGA to Roosevelt station.  At Roosevelt station, you can connect to the E subway line to Penn Station.  From LGA, purchase a Metrocard from a ticket machine (located within the terminals) and add fare.   By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.  If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  Once at Penn Station, follow the signs to Jersey Transit trains.  Purchase a ticket and watch the boards to see which track your train is departing on.  Be sure to disembark at Newark International Airport and not Newark Penn Station. Fares are $13.00 and travel time is approximately 27-30 minutes.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare to Newark is $27.00 per person from both JFK and LGA and requires a bus transfer.  Travel time between JFK and EWR is two hours and travel time between LGA and EWR is one and a half hours.
  • ETS Shuttle.  Private service or shuttle service.  Shuttle service is $31 per person between LGA and JFK, booked at the ground transportation desk.  See the agent in the red jacket.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between either LGA or JFK and Newark International Airport.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a fare of $104-$129 from LGA to EWR and a fare of $115-$143 from JFK to EWR.

You are staying in Manhattan near Grand Central Station and want to see the Brooklyn Bridge.  How do you get there?

  • Hail a cab.  Cabs are everywhere in New York City.  When hailing a cab, watch for cars in which the light is not illuminated.  When the light is illuminated, the cab is occupied.  Walk to the edge of the curb or near the street and wave to cab…you can even whistle while waving!  Give the cab driver your destination name or address.  The meter will begin with the initial fare of $2.50 and the final fare will also contain taxes.  Expect fare to be about $20 + tip.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Take the Subway.  Fare, $2.75 metrocard or $3.00 one-time ride.  The subway is very easy to navigate and extremely safe.  Board the subway at the nearest station, Grand Central.  Check your subway map and look at the line which will take you to the Brooklyn Bridge.  In this case, it will be the 4, 5 or 6 (Green) lines.  How do you know which way to go?  Easy.  Look at the end of that subway line for the final station.  You will either follow signs for the lines to the station or in most cases, in Manhattan, it will say either Uptown or Downtown.  Since you are traveling down to the south of Manhattan, you will take the line in the direction of Downtown.  Watch the stations as you pass by or watch the electronic map displayed in your subway car so that you are aware of when to disembark.  If unsure, ask a local. Never have I had someone not assist me willingly. Additionally, carry a subway map with you or download a New York Subway map on to your phone.

You’ve walked on the Brooklyn Bridge and now and want to travel from Brooklyn Bridge to the Times Square to buy try your luck at the TKTS booth for a half-price ticket for a Broadway musical.

  • Hail a cab.  Cabs are everywhere in New York City.  When hailing a cab, watch for cars in which the light is not illuminated.  When the light is illuminated, the cab is occupied.  Walk to the edge of the curb or near the street and wave to cab…you can even whistle while waving!  Give the cab driver your destination name or address.  The meter will begin with the initial fare of $2.50 and will also contain taxes.  Expect fare to be about $22 + tip.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Take the Subway.  Fare, $2.75 metrocard or $3.00 one-time ride. First, take a look at your subway map and see what line the Times Square is on…7 (Purple).  First look for a place where the line you are one might intersect which one of those lines. Since they do intersect, take the 4, 5 or 6 (Green) Uptown until you are back at Grand Central.  Exit the train and follow signs to the 7 line to 34th Street (last stop in the direction you are going).  Watch the stations as you pass by or watch the electronic map displayed in your subway car so that you are aware of when to disembark or refer to the NYC Subway map app on your phone.

 

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