July 2, 2026
This trip to NYC was unexpected! My friends Kim and Ernie texted me a couple of weeks ago that they were going to be in NYC to celebrate our county’s 250th birthday and asked me to join so of course I said yes!!! I am so excited to be celebrating in this special city
To celebrate America’s 250th NYC is hosting the world’s largest flotilla of tall ships they will sail past the statue of liberty. This historic gathering will feature a massive international flotilla of 48 tall ships and over 40 naval vessels representing 46 nations.
I took the red eye flight from Phoenix that left at midnight and arrived at 8:00am so I could have the day to explore. Of course my room was not ready so I checked my bag and headed out to explore the city. I am staying close to the seaport because that is where all of the events for the tall ships and fireworks are taking place. This is an area of NYC that I have not spent a lot of time in so it is all new to me. Of course the first thing I had to do was grab a bagel at Leon’s, voted the best in NYC and I agree!
With bagel in hand I headed to the pier to cool off!!! NYC is over 100 degrees, hotter than Phoenix. As I was sitting at the Pier finishing my bagel I saw the “Beast” a speedboat and since I alway have a need for speed I had to try it. It was awesome!!! The turns he made were the boat was on it’s side speeding though the river made me so happy.
After the spin dry I headed uptown to the New York City Library when they were displaying the constitution along with Thomas Jeffersons hand written notes. If they had gone with Jefferson’s thought we would not had slavery and could have avoid the civil war. I understand that we are in a period in our county where much of the interpretation of the constitution is being challenge but it is an incredible piece of our history and has served us well for 250 years.
Tonight I went to see the play & Julie. I have been trying to see this show for 4 years but every time I have been in NYC it has been closed or in one case my flight was 14 hours late.
The show picks up as William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, debate the ending of Romeo and Juliet. Anne proposes a rewrite: rather than dying for Romeo, Juliet decides to go on a girls’ trip to Paris to find herself. The story explores her independence, new romances, and life beyond her traditional Verona roots. Christy Metz, from This is Us fame plays Juliet’s maid and she was awesome!!!
Written by the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt’s Creek and driven by Max Martin’s iconic pop anthems, it is a fun, female-forward story of self-discovery. The musical features a playlist of massive pop anthems spanning three decades, made famous by artists like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and The Backstreet Boys.
The show was everything I hoped for funny, thoughtful, beautiful costumes and amazing music sung by phenomenal voices!!!!
After the show I walked for a bit in Times Square that was packed with people enjoying the hot night in the city!! Then time to head back to the hotel.
What an amazing first day in the city I love. Best Day Ever…..So far!!!
