July 3, 2026
Early this morning I headed to Maison Fleuret to learn how to make Paris-Brest. Created over a century ago to celebrate the Paris–Brest, Paris bicycle race, this wheel-shaped dessert quickly became a beloved staple of French family baking. With its delicate ring of choux pastry, toasted almonds, and signature praline cream, the Paris-Brest offers a perfect balance of texture and richness. I always enjoy taking cooking classes especially baking ones!!! I learned a few new techniques and of course I shared my results with Kim and Ernie.
When I got back to the hotel we headed down to Battery Park to see if any of the Tall Ships were docked there. We did a quick stop at the 9/11 memorial then continued on to the waterfront. The ships were not there but it was fun checking out the area plus I got another stamp for my National Park Passport when we stop in Castle Clinton National Monument which was used to process immigrants from Europe before Ellis island was opened.
It is hella hot here (101 plus 10 million percent humidity) and by the time we were almost back to the hotel (2.5 miles) we were so sweaty!!! We were only 2 blocks from our hotel and A/C when my sweaty foot slipped out of my sandal and my big toe hit an object and now I have a broken toe…drat!!!
The early afternoon was spent watching the Class B tall ships from around the world sail down the East River from Hell Gate Bridge to Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn
After the Class B parade with flags rippling over the harbor and music drifting from park corners greeted us as we boarded the
Grande Mariner for a preview of history in the making. On the evening before the official Parade of Sail, we got experience the world’s tall ships at their most peaceful and majestic—anchored across New York Harbor, illuminated against the skyline at sunset and dusk.
We sailed past towering masts, historic rigging, and international crews as they made final preparations for America’s 250th anniversary celebration that begins tomorrow morning. It was so moving to see the ships from around the world all working together to create a special event for America, Can’t wait until tomorrow when they parade with the sails up!!!
I should mention that is also fleet week in NYC so in addition to all the sailing ships there are military ships in the harbor.
We were just about an hour away from being back in the city when they announced that we needed to get off the top deck and secure ourselves as a huge storm was about to hit and it did!!!! The thunderstorm hit fast and furious and at one point the ship was really rocking and hail was flying so hard that we could not see out. The good news is it passed over in about an hour creating an amazing sunset as we cruised into the harbor. The even better news is that the temp dropped 30 degrees!!!
Tomorrow we are headed to the Class A Tall ship parade and then out on a ship for the evening fireworks!!
What an amazing “Best Day Ever….So Far””
