Now, before any of you {won’t name names} are tempted to call me a sissy after today’s post, I would like to point you to the following quote taken straight from the Statue Cruises website detailing what’s in store for all those who climb to the crown on the Statue of Liberty.

The climb to the crown is a strenuous journey that encompasses 354 steps in a cramped enclosed area with high temperatures. The steps within the Statue are 19” wide, are shallow and taper at one end. Head clearance is 6 feet 2 inches. All crown visitors must be able to climb up and down the 354 steps unassisted.

The climb is strenuous and not without risk, and the National Park Service recommends that crown visitors have no significant physical or mental conditions that would impair their ability to complete it, including, but not limited to: heart and respiratory conditions, mobility impairments, claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), acrophobia (fear of heights) or vertigo (dizziness).

I would just like to highlight a few things:

354 steps

Cramped enclosed area

High temperatures

Unassisted

Not without risk

Claustrophobia

Acrophobia

Vertigo

Now, I ask you, what would you do when faced with this kind of decision? What would you do?

The only sensible thing, right?

Exactly.

One hundred ninety-two steps later, I came out at the top of the pedestal. That was after almost passing out halfway up. So somewhere around step number 96, I started hyperventilating and dry heaving. As I was leaning against the railing attempting to catch my breath, I glanced down at my man. He appeared quite calm and collected. I couldn’t hear him gasping or wheezing.

At all.

Sometimes he really gets on my nerves. {I mean that in the most loving and romantic way possible.}

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!

I had to keep telling myself I was actually looking at the Statue of Liberty. I just couldn’t believe it. She’s truly a beautiful work of art.

I’m starting out with the obligatory Subway shot. Because it’s obligatory. Or something. Right?

Hello, pretty horsey.

Uh.

What is that smell?!

Goodbye, pretty horsey.

Oooh, hello, other pretty horsey.

Whoa.

Somethin’ smells funky.

I never knew they could have smells like that in the city.

These carriages are all around and through Central Park. I’m ashamed to admit we didn’t take a ride in one. It was on my list, too. *Sniff*

Central Park was somewhat of a welcome reprieve from the constant overdrive of the rest of the city. I noticed as soon as we entered the park, our pace slowed down. We were strolling and not rushing. The park is even more gorgeous than I imagined or saw on moving picture. There are bridges, huge rocks, open fields, quaint walkways, statues, fountains, etc.

Basically, it’s a romantics paradise.

{And just in case inquiring minds want to know ~ no, these clouds have not been photoshopped. }

My main motivation to venture into Central Park was to find Bethseda Fountain. Familiar with Enchanted? How about a short movie clip? Just for the fun of it.

Excuse me for a moment.

I’ve been there y’all!!

And there she is.

No one was singing or dancing around her that day. Bummer.

Actually, hubby did start singing the chorus. Quietly. To me.

Insert a big Awwww! right here. Thank you.

After the quietness of Central Park, we hopped back on the Subway and made our way over to the Empire State Building. King Kong was visiting that day, too. I would have much preferred Cary Grant personally, but nobody asked me.

“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories… we’ve already missed the spring!”

I digress.

The following picture is my absolute favorite from the trip. I love the feeling of the sky. It moves from kinda moody on the left to bright and cheerful on the right. It’s pictures like this that make me so glad I bought the wide angle lens. Have I mentioned lately how much I love that lens?

{Again, this sky has not been photoshopped. It’s all the handiwork of the maker.}

Hello, down there!

From up here, you all look like little ants. {Name that movie.}

At the bottom of the Empire State Building, they have a brewery.

They had us at the word brewery.

The great thing about vacation is you can have beer snacks earlier in the day. And it’s ok.

And now if y’all will excuse me, I’m going to brush up on Enchanted.