New York - Day Two

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We walked from the hotel to the Morgan Museum which includes JP Morgan's original study and library and multiple exhibit areas which focus on the Morgan Collection and also on collections on loan, primarily of drawings, etchings, writings, etc. They had an interesting collection of letters, illustrations and drafts of Charles Dickens' work, both his published writings and his work with a shelter which provided street walkers and poor women with a second chance. The main exhibit was one of sketches by French painters, primarily David and Delacroix, who were known for their gigantic oil paintings of historical or mythical scenes. After seeing the exhibits, we went to the study and library, which were almost more impressive than the collections. We left the Morgan and headed for lunch, stopping at a local chain called Moonstruck, before taking the subway from Grand Central down to the Wall Street area. We had tickets to see the World Trade Center Memorial/Ground Zero at 3:30pm and got there about 20 minutes late, but still within the grace period. The tickets are free but you must have one to get in as they are funneling 10,000 visitors per day through the Memorial Fountain area. Frank and Maria had a view of the towers going down from their 39^th floor apartment/office window, but had not been able to bring themselves to go down and see the area during the 10 year period following the disaster. Daryl had been through a number of times when going to Wall Street appointments or taking the PATH train to Jersey City meetings. They asked if we could all go together. We had seen a PBS special on the construction of the memorial and the new buildings going up, so were more familiar than they with the details. It was very emotional for them. In addition to the two pools which have the engraved names of all of the victims grouped together by North or South Tower, First Responders, the three airplanes and the Pentagon, they have planted trees and also have the only tree that survived, a pear tree with a protective fence around its base. After viewing the Memorial, we took separate subway trains back to home and hotel and planned to meet at their apartment at 6:30pm. Rob took photos of the NY night sky from their balcony and through their window. Then we walked over to the parking lot and got the old Cadillac out and headed for Manducati's in Long Island City, the first exit after you go through the Mid-Town Tunnel. We have been to this restaurant with Frank and Maria numerous times and they go every Friday on their way to their house. It is a family-run restaurant in an industrial neighborhood, with an unbelievable wine list. The mother, Ida, does the cooking; son, Anthony, does the wine; and father, Vincent, hangs around in the bar area. Ida was preparing a specialty for Frank and Rob, rabbit cacciatore. Maria and Daryl tried to go light, with a pasta for an entree. However, as these things happen, there were 3 appetizers, a pasta, and 2 vegetable dishes, along with the rabbit and our two pastas. We left with enough “to go” boxes to fill Frank and Maria's fridge.

Frank negotiated prices with Anthony on two great wines from the cellar but none of that went home. There is no service to speak of at the restaurant so we took care of ourselves. Then they dropped us off at the hotel as we had a car picking us up at 6:30am the next morning to go to La Guardia and home.