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Big City Adventures of a Country Bumpkin! See my vacation pictures.

By Pam Pugmire

Real Estate Agent with Silvercreek Realty Group

July 01, 2008 08:36 PM

I just returned last night from a quick but Super Fun working vacation with my husband and some friends to the East Coast! Since I live in Idaho, that is a long ways away, both in distance and culture!

Thursday we landed in Philadelphia and spent the evening and night there. We have been to Philadelphia before and absolutely love the city. This was a fast trip so we only spent the evening there.

Friday morning we drove to Newark, NJ (about a 1 1/2 hour drive) and attended a seminar with The Donald on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. He had some great things to say about buying RE and will highlight that in a post coming later when I have a few minutes to put some thought into it. We had dinner on Friday night at a place called The Spanish Tavern, and we were so lost I don't even know where we were! It was the absolute BEST salmon I've ever had! The freeway system in NJ was the wackiest I have ever seen! (Sorry NJ residents) We got soooo lost and were asking so many people how to get to the Izod Center at the Meadowlands, and NO ONE could tell us how!!! Finally we saw a RE office and I went inside and asked directions. They were the only ones that knew what they were talking about! Chalk another one up to the REALTORS!

Sunday afternoon we went to New York City and had a fantastic time. It was my first time in NYC, and I am dying to go back now! We started the day by going to Liberty State Park in New Jersy to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was raining quite heavy, so we left to find umbrellas, and never made it back! That is one thing I will definitely go back and see soon! Then we went through the Holland Tunnel to NYC. We went across the Brooklyn Bridge China Town NYC (we were a little lost), and finally had lunch in China Town while the rain blew over. I thought it was funny to see a Starbucks in China Town. I also saw a California Pizza Kitchen but didn't get a picture.......funny to see that since NY is famous for it's pizza.

After lunch we went back to our car to find a $115 parking ticket on the windsheild of our rental car! sign What does the "Except Sunday" part mean?????? Oh well, it's a tax write off.

Empire State Building Then the weather had cleared so we went on foot and saw the Empire State & Chrysler Buildings.

Chrysler Building and then we were off to Time Square! I swear there were more people in a one mile radius of that place than there are in the whole State of Idaho! My husband (who is not fond of crowds) said Time Square is like the Western Idaho Fair. You're hot and sweaty, there are tons of people around, and they charge twice as much as normal for food! I thought it was CRAZY, and I loved it!!!

Monday we returned our rental car ($80 in toll fees later) and headed out for Idaho! I love to travel, but am always anxious to get back home!

I hope you enjoyed my Travel Log, and I will get more Trump info out later!

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Scott Daniels Florida Real Estate 2.0. Agents Earn 100% Commission.

Florida List For Less Realty, Inc. Broker/Owner. - Cooper City, FL

Pam,

I`m sure you could fit right in with us "City Slickers'...

In fact i`m sure you would exceed here on the East Coast...

Jul 01, 2008 11:17 PM

Rob Muller

ReMax Town & Country - Canton, GA

Cherokee County Real Estate

I am glad that you enjoyed your trip... even with the parking ticket.

Jul 01, 2008 11:26 PM

Adam Waldman

Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY

Realtor - Long Island

PAM - This was a fun read for me because I live in the area. I live on Long Island now, as I have for most of my life, but I did live briefly in New Jersey. One of the reasons that we left was because of the "wacky highway system." If you miss an exit (very easy to do by the way), you might as well pack a lunch, because you're going on a journey. It got so bad on one recent trip, that our GPS couldn't find the highway!!!!!

I used to work right in the middle of time square when I was in the music business. The area has changed a lot! It used to be very crowded, but in a much seedier way. Now it is filled with tourists, and just as safe at 3am as it as at 3pm.

I'm glad that you had a good trip to the East Coast, despite all of the fees for tickets and tolls. By the way, I have been going to NYC my whole life, and there are times when I'm still asking a doorman if it's safe to park someplace, for fear of being ticketed. They make it confusing on purpose so they can collect money.

Jul 01, 2008 11:58 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Pam, thanks for your travel log of Philly and NYC. I have been to both places several times over the years and you just have to deal with the confusion and getting lost and enjoy the places, the moments where you land. Often with a friend who knows the area better that helps. I actually was born on Long Island. I look forward to your Donald Trump seminar post. Sorry to hear about the parking ticket. Ouch. I never have got to go out to the Statue of Liberty. That would be fun. You must have thought, we're not in Kansas Idaho anymore. Great photos. I've been to Times Square the most. So much energy there.

Jul 02, 2008 12:26 AM

Marie Meyer

Keller Williams Realty - Central Valley, NY

Orange County New York Realtor

Hi Pam ... so you visited my home town! Sorry about the ticket, but you are so lucky your car was not towed. You are not supposed to understand the no parking signs ... lol. I am happy to hear you enjoyed it. You have photos of two of my favorites, the Brooklyn Bridge (wonderful to walk across) and the Chrysler Bldg. And Times Square is just a blast, and I love your husband's analogy. Everything is priced for tourists. Anyway, it's a great city; I could not bring myself to move more than a couple of hours away.

Jul 02, 2008 01:22 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Scott~Thanks for your vote of confidence! I think I will stay in Idaho where my hair looks good! (no humidity)

Rob~I wouldn't let a silly parking ticket ruin my fun!

Adam~My husband was saying that the NJ freeway signage consisted of "You just missed the turn for X.....Your screwed for the next 20 miles!" I'm glad to hear it just wasn't US. You were in the music business? Very cool!

Gary~I was thinking "I'm not in Kansas anymore" the whole trip! The energy in Time Square is fantastic!

Marie~ I would love to walk across Brooklyn Bridge! It was raining this time, but next time I will have to do that! You are very lucky to live close to such history!

Thanks for all your comments!

Jul 02, 2008 07:56 AM

Kate Bourland

Marketing with Kate - Redding, CA

Onlilne Marketing Mobile Marketing

Pam, how funny, I was just on a "working" vacation in Boise Idaho. I fell in love with Idaho, what a beautiful state you have! I just popped over because you had commented on my blog - I'm glad I did. New York is a very different place from where you live!! Glad that you had fun.

Jul 02, 2008 08:38 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Kate~How funny! I hope you enjoyed Idaho. It really is a great place to live and visit!

Jul 02, 2008 08:54 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Pam, I wish I had known you were coming, I am very often in New York City for work and for play and I love it! If your husband hates crowds he will be glad he's not there during a parade or the Feast of San Gennaro :) I hope you get better weather next time and can spend some time in Central Park, it is an absolute delight!! I have tons of pictures on old blogs of NYC....sorry about the ticket, I don't drive in often but when I do I'd rather pay for a parking garage!

Jul 02, 2008 12:25 PM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Carole~There are so many places I want to see next time I go. I was there just long enough to make me want to go back. I think I will make it a girls trip, and we will have to give you a heads up that we are coming!

We paid the meter the next time we parked and all was well!

Jul 02, 2008 01:18 PM

Dan Woodworth

The Connection - Garden City, ID

Encouraging Communicator

Hi Pam,

Great post about you as a country girl going to the big cities!

My niece just graduated from Merist Colllege and plans to pursue her Masters degree from Baruch University in NYC. She loves it in New York!

I've never been to NYC. My wife and I went to Niagra Falls about 13 years ago when we were in Toronto.

Big cities have a culture all of their own - much different than Idaho!

Jul 03, 2008 09:21 AM

LLoyd Nichols

Premier Florida Realty of SWFL - Fort Myers, FL

Southwest Florida Homes By The Sea

Meridian, it seems like you enjoyed your trip to the Big Apple. NYC has so much to offer. I lived there a while back and there is so much to see, its overwhelming and inspiring. Must benice to go back home after that though. The parking ticket was a bit much! I would cool to own a super getaway in Soho!

Jul 03, 2008 10:54 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Dan~Thanks for stopping by......Niagra Falls is on my list!

Lloyd~You're right.....so much to see.....I was there just long enough to want to go back!

Jul 03, 2008 11:42 AM

Irene Woodworth

Color and Redesign Academy & Redesign Boise - Garden City, ID

Color-Redesign-Staging, Trainer & Motivational Speaker - Idaho

Pam,

Thanks for your post. Sounds like crazy fun! Even though I grew up in S. CA and lived in Portland, OR, I thought I could find my way around any town. It was crazy when we went on our recent trip to Atlanta, GA. It is exciting though to experience new things. I still want to visit NYC and see our niece that lives there now. I want to check out the amazing design industry there someday. My sister-in-law had some crazy experiences each time they have gone to visit my niece. What a fun experience for you.

Sometimes you can get more in a short trip, because you are limited with your time and you have to squeeze a lot in. I have learned to take advantage of the moments when traveling. I have to see the Statue of Liberty someday, since, I played her in our school play in the sixth grade. Glad you had a great time! You survived, New York City and Philly. You can now add that to your list of accomplishments!

Have a Colorful Day!

Jul 05, 2008 11:51 AM

Chuck Willman

Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT

NewHouseUtah.com

I remember the first time I set foot in New York. I felt about as small as a person could be. It's odd... to be in such awe of a city. I do remember my first time in Idaho though... no intimidation at all. hmmmm. why is that? :-)

Jul 06, 2008 11:26 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Irene~I'm dying to go back now for longer!

Chuck~We don't intimidate here in Idaho......We're just the place you go that feels like home! ; )

Jul 07, 2008 07:23 AM

C Tann-Starr

Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Hey Pam, nice travel log! Sorry about the ticket, but glad you had a lot of fun in my neck of the woods! Enjoy your evening. Regards, C.

Jul 08, 2008 10:13 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

C~I thoroughly enjoyed myself....ticket and all!

Jul 08, 2008 10:30 AM

Eugene Jones

Weichert Realtors - Somerville, NJ

Hi Pam,

I use to frequent The Spanish Tavern quite often. Great food! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourself while in my neck-of-the-woods.

Jul 12, 2008 05:00 AM

Pam Pugmire

Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID

Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Eugene~ We had a terrific time! The Spanish Tavern is great isn't it? It was a much nicer restaurant than it appeared to be from the outside. Thanks for stopping by!

Jul 12, 2008 05:13 PM