New York - last full day

Monday was our last full day in The Big Apple and it was spent catching up on things our New York Pass didn't cover since it had expired.
We went to Ground Zero in the morning, it was a really beautiful place and it will be even more beautiful when they finish all their work.

 There is a deep fountain where the each tower sat and the sound of the water is so soothing.

 There are also the names of each of the workers and rescuers carved on the fountains where they had lost their lives. The memorial puts a rose on the person's name on the day of their birthday which I thought was very sweet.

 This is the base of the completed first tower sitting behind the north fountain.

 This is the survivor tree, the only tree to survive the fall of the buildings. It was moved to another location for a few years so it could recover and they planted back at the memorial site just a little while ago.

I will say that I actually enjoyed the tribute center more only because I felt like people were more respectful there. At the memorial people were taking pictures with hand signs and funny faces. They were also sitting on the fountains and being disrespectful. I was very displeased with the people there, but its still a place that shouldn't be missed. 
After we spent time at the memorial we went to the gift shop where they have the tribute bike that Paulie Jr. made.

I bought some magnets with the search and rescue dogs on them and a gorgeous night photo of the memorial site.

After the memorial we went to the Washington Square Arch.

We then went to Grand Central Station since we ran out of time earlier to do the tour (NYP), but since our pass was expired we just enjoyed the views. I didn't get any good pictures because my camera wasn't liking the lighting. Here are the only two.

It was very busy and bustling, I wish I could have visited every single store inside.

It was later in the afternoon by then so we went back to the apartment to make sure our luggage was packed and to get some dinner.
After that we got dressed and went out to a Cabernet show that John's co-worker said we should check out. Every night the Cabernet has a different set and the night we went they were having a Rising Star night and we heard some new to Broadway stars sing.  
I do wish they were having the drag show the night we went because I'm always down for a good drag show. More reasons to go back to NYC!
After the show we sat by their baby grand piano and listened to high end karaoke from the owner, wait staff and some of the patrons. It was a good night had by all.

 

Then it was time to hit the hay to be prepared for our flight home the next day. 

I was sad to leave from such a wonderful trip, but the trip to the airport wasn't bad at all. We took the subway and the air train to JFK Airport, an hour and a half trip from our apartment. It a smooth trip and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a cheaper way in and out of the city. We would have taken it into Manhattan when we got to New York, but the air train was down.

The airport wasn't any more exciting than you'd think it would be, normal security checks and the waiting. Mary and I did have a nice surprise on the plane though, our high school sophomore English teacher was sitting behind us. 

My father picked us up from the airport and home to pick up our pups. Speaking of which, Enna was extremely fine and her ruptured anal gland had healed up on it's own. She's had no problems since so for once I lucked out in the sick dog field. 

Of course Mary, John and I longed to be back in New York since we had such a nice time, but now we have memories to last a life time.