SuperUser Account posted on June 14, 2009 09:49
The five eighth-graders, with class sponsors, Carl McNeave, Nancy Thomas, and teacher, Jill Smuda, all headed for the Big Apple for three days of crowds, traffic, and adventure for their much-anticipated Class Trip. Carl was the driver of the 14- passenger bus that was rented from Spencerville Academy. They arrived in New York City early afternoon and, with a quick stop at their apartment to unload, they headed to their first destination: the Empire State Building. Parking was definitely an obstacle that Carl handled with patience. They went 104 stories to the observation tower. The view was incredible! The students didn't want to come in from the windy perch. After that they took a little driving tour of the area and stopped in Times Square. After walking all around it, they poked their noses into a few places such as the humongous Toys R Us store, where some of the students rode on the Ferris Wheel inside.
The next day, the first stop was Ground Zero. It was very sobering to walk those streets and see the memorials that still stand. They headed over to St. Paul's Cathedral to see where all the hopeful and devastated families and volunteers spent so many of their hours after 9/11, followed by a tour of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. After many security checks they made it inside the grand lady. She is so majestic! Many said they were surprised by how much smaller she was than they had imagined. Carl then drove everyone through Central Park, past Madison Square Gardens, Trump Towers, and the Lincoln Center.
On the last day, Tuesday, they ventured forth on the subway. It only took a half an hour for them to pop up in Times Square for their trip through Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The students weren't too sure they were going to enjoy this, but they all had a great time hamming it up with all the famous figures found there. They also got to see a Sponge Bob movie in 4-D. When they walked around afterwards in the area, they found themselves at Rockefeller Center. Their last meal? What else, but New York pizza! Then it was time to load up and head home. The students all wished they had a few more days before going home, but all good things must come to an end.