The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was completed in 1931 and I love this era of architecture, especially on a more industrial scale.  Look at the details in the floor and the wall sconces.

This was only the second time I had visited The Empire State Building and I had never been up at night.  I had been probably five times to The World Trade Center/Twin Towers.  Actually the Empire State Building is far more central and therefore you can see uptown and downtown.

It's very confusing when you arrive. first of all the main door opposite Macy's was closed and said go around to the side, which we did.  After that it's a series of climbing and queueing and not really knowing what you are queueing for.  Of course there is the security check, line for tickets, line to have your photo taken; which you would like to bypass but can't.  Line to go up the first lift, line to go up the second lift.

I think the line above was the photo line.

I loved the little museum area and if it hadn't been the end of the day I would have spent more time viewing everything.  But did love these photos of the men working, you have to marvel at them.  No boots, no hard hats, no safety lines, short, shorts.

The weather at the top could not have been more perfect.  No wind, just the perfect temperature with a cardigan on.

I think the building above is the Chrysler Building, but I could be wrong, not being a New Yorker.  Below is looking to south Manhattan, where the bright lights divide is the Flat Iron Building.  Looking down to the new Freedom Tower.

Below looking East across the Hudson River.

Above looking uptown.

Me in my Fair Isle cardigan that Jean bought for me.  I love it. Just right.

Looking up to the radio tower at the top.

Jean enjoying the sights.

The foyer entrance at the bottom.

By the time we left it was 10:00 PM.

Now I need to tell you about the train story.

We walked into Penn Station and stood in front of the time notice screens, and that instance our train came up as the 10:15 PM.  We thought great no wait and just went down, got on the train and sat down.

Now Trenton is only at the most forty miles from New York City and do you know how long it took us?
Two hours.  I don't know what the problem was, but I did say to Jean that I think Robert Louis Stevenson's the Rocket went almost as fast.  I'm surprised they didn't have someone walking in front with a flag.  I ask you.  What is the problem with NJ Transit System?

It was a late night by the time we got home.

Christy