THURSDAY, June 22

Today, Nancy and I took the 3 hour Circle Tour of Manhattan. This trip allowed us to go all the way around the island and see it from a different perspective ( for those of you thinking of coming to New York, the Greyline package deal - $73 - will provide you with 2 days of non-stop touring - it's a great deal!). The complete tour covered 35 miles and was breath-taking. Our tour guide shared a wealth of information and we saw the devastation of 911 up close. One of the neatest things we saw was how New York City is adding living space in Manhattan. Chelsea Piers is a new development that allows the city to add piers for recreation - the piers that have been added allow for a 50 lane bowling alley, an Olympic size pool, a golf driving range and tennis courts! Another amazing part of the trip was a view of the Hudson River valley - hills upon hills of green, lush trees transported us out of a stereotypical idea of New York City.

After our Circle Tour, we went to Fraunces Tavern. Fraunces Tavern is a museum and a restaurant, and after we had lunch, we went through the museum. Fraunces Tavern is where Gen. George Washington, on Dec. 4, 1783, bade farewell to the officers of the Continental Army
after the British relinquished control of New York City. You can actually take a tour of the 2nd floor dining room where this historic event took place. From Fraunces Tavern we walked over to Trinity Church, which was founded by King William III in 1697. Nancy spent some time wandering through the church cemetary and found the grave of Alexander Hamilton. From the church, we walked over to the former location of the World Trade Center. We both related to our own Oklahoma Murrah Building - it felt like hallowed ground.

Last but not least - SPAMALOT. It was one of the funniest plays I have ever seen. To my students who galloped their horses to the accompaniment of coconuts - you would have loved it!! Another spectacular day - tomorrow, we are off for Ellis Island!

QUESTION - "WHO IS BURIED IN GRANT'S TOMB?"

ANSWER - No one. People are not buried in a tomb.