Big Apple Pinstripe Bowl Game Trip Highlights

Brooklyn Bridge - wish we'd had time to walk across it!

I've blogged a long-version daily diary of our trip. Here is the concise version - for anyone who might be considering a trip to the Big Apple. Paul Goldsmith had never been there - I'd tried to talk him into going, along with our son Jud. They weren't interested. Until the Cyclones were asked to play there.

I admit it - I was one of the doubters when the Cyclones were sitting with five wins and a gauntlet of games left. What do you mean, you ask? Let me tell ya: Our team - picked for last in the Big 12 was faced with #2 Oklahoma State (home), and two other top 20 teams - Oklahoma and Kansas State (both away games).

At work, my supervisor sent around a calendar for employees to fill in holiday schedules. Jokingly, I put a sticky note on it saying - "and time off for ISU's bowl game". Wow -the Cyclones blew me away with their upset of the Cowboys! Next it was Bowl Watch - Paul and I were hoping for someplace warm - not the Pinstripe Bowl.

Boy are we glad our hopes didn't come true! When ISU was selected for the Pinstripe - held in Yankee Stadium in New York City on December 30, we were iffy. Would any of our friends want to go? It turned out the answer was yes. Tailgating buddies McKims, McFees and Conovers all signed on - we few into Newark on 12/28 and home on 1/1/2012. It was a fantastic trip!



We stayed at the Carlton a 4-Star Hotel, on about 28th and Madison, sharing rooms to keep costs down. On Wednesday and Thursday rooms were about $350, they were $500 the next 2 nights. We talked to people who stayed in cheaper spots in New Jersey but they spent lots of time on buses and wished they'd stayed in Manhattan. And for the record - it's true - we did prance all around NYC in ISU gear complete with Santa hats...they did help us find each other in crowds.

Also Dr. Don McKim has a future as a tour director when he tires of fitting Creston area folks with corrective lenses and curing eye-related diseases. In ten years or so, look for Donnie and Dee to be offering touring trips to old folks in who like to have a good time. He knows how to schmooze information out of people everywhere, how much to tip and how to figure out how to get from A to B. Good guy to travel with! In fact our whole group got along great as travel partners.

Wednesday 12/28 arrival, Little Italy meal, Rockefeller Center

• -Little Italy is shrinking - as it's next to Chinatown, which is expanding. We ate at a place - the name I don't remember, and I went with boring spaghetti and meatballs. The staff argued with each other like - family! Everyone liked their food. We got to Little Italy on the subway - each ride was something like $2.40, and we bought $20 cards that we swiped each time we used the system, refilling as needed. Subways were clean and efficient - not scary at all.

The security guard kindly took our photo.

-After supper we hopped back on the subway and got off at Rockefeller Plaza. The place was packed with lots of folks lined up to go up to the observation deck - there's a fee and you need a ticket. We headed out to see the Christmas tree and ice skaters.

A window display on our walk home

-We decided to walk the 14 or so blocks back to our hotel. People everywhere - window displays, Starbucks on nearly every corner.


Thursday 12/29
Today Show (Fox and Friends for McKims), Grey Line Bus Tours and Cyclone Gatherings on Times Square

-McFees, Paul and I headed right back to the Rockefeller Plaza early - walking in the dusky chill with our Dunkin Donuts and coffee, all decked out in Cyclone gear. I'd read you should be at the Today show by 6 a.m. if you want to be in front - and we didn't make it until 7 - so we weren't in front. A security guy was nice enough to tell us we needed to scoot around near where all the other people were gathered to get camera time. I did get 3 seconds of fame, standing behind some goofy guys who got on the weather gig. Al Roker was already in LA preparing for his Rose Bowl Parade gig so Stephanie from the Weather Channel was in charge. She chatted up the crowd in our area. She picked the dudes by us due to their goofy hats - so dress goofy and be in front if you want face time! Fox and Friends doesn't have big crowds so McKims were on there quite a bit.

Just like you see on Law and Order...except for the dead bodies

-Our walk from 30 Rock to Times Square to catch the Grey Line provided lots of photo ops. I love visiting places I read about and see in movies and on TV. It makes me feel so connected to those places. And were were there! And it was quite chilly early that day. Our bus pass (we purchased 72 hours for like $60) allowed us to hop off and on) was just the right thing. Some of the tour guides on the buses were good...some not. They were pretty easy to get off and on - but a friend said in the summer they were packed and they couldn't ever get back on. At some stops you must get off - end of the line. We got off at Battery Park where the ferry takes people to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, but planned to do that Saturday - grabbed a bite to eat and made our way back to Times Square.

The skyline from Battery Park

Freedom Tower - going up near Ground Zero

Not wild about crowds

Tonic bar - gathering spot for red and gold clad fans

-That afternoon was the unofficial ISU Cyclone gathering at 2 bars. We started at an Irish bar, and walked through crazy packed shoulder-to-shoulder Times Square en route to the second bar. They were putting up the stages and getting ready for New Years Eve. Later that night, my burger at 5 Brothers? was yummy. We walked back to our hotel with Conovers.
Friday 12/30

The place was huge inside

Yankee Stadium

-Gameday baby! We grabbed some breakfast, and jumped on the subway headed to the Bronx for Yankee Stadium. Don McKim is handy with his iPad, and he had all the routes figured out - some trains stop a lot and we took the one that didn't. We headed to The Dugout - a bar that opened up early for Cyclone Fans, and on to the Spirit Walk, to welcome the team. It was cool seeing Yankee Stadium. Too bad the game didn't go so well...

Yankee Stadium

Foley's - full of sports memorabilia

-After the game we ended up at a cool sports bar, Foley's. Evidently they banned Danny Boy...but they have thousands of pieces of sports memorabilia and good food. We had a chance to catch up with a long time college friend and his gal there. They live here - or at least close. It was nice to catch up and spend time with them.  

Pile of garbage everywhere...

-I must comment on the state of waste handling in the Big Apple. Dismal! They must pick it up in bags daily, because it's all on the curb each night. Recycling containers are hard to find. One would think that the fact that landfills are scarce in the vicinity of NYC, they would come up with good infrastructure for recycling. But it's not evident in Manhattan.

Saturday 12/31

Lady Liberty is always an awesome sight...

Diana etches her mom's name at Ellis

-We hopped on the Gray Line to Battery Park to buy tickets to the ferry to the Statue/Ellis. They're working on the Statue again, and planned to go to Ellis only, but the ferry stopped at the Statue to drop people off. Some people had wisely bought tickets ahead for the ferry, but we were lucky our wait wasn't too long. Security is just as tough as flying, so be prepared to strip down and don't bring bags if you want to go on this trip. Diana's mom came through the island - living there for a few months after WW2 as a young war bride speaking only Italian. The former Isolina Consilvio (Betty Brown) passed away last year in a tragic car wreck. We found her name on a memorial wall and Diana did a rubbing on paper. It was quite moving. For more info. on her amazing life journey, see Betty's Obit here: http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/527178.html?nav=5011

-We wandered around Wall Street after Ellis, looking for food, but the holiday weekend shut most places down. So we ended up at the pier and took the subway back to our hotel area.

-That night, Dwight talked us into Korean Barbecue - a unique experience. Our hotel wasn't far from the Korean district and we walked there. The food was cooked on griddles at our tables. Lots of spices and little bowls of stuff that I couldn't identify. My suede purse still smells like the joint! In the street outside - the evening revelers had started to wander. We were nearly hit by a biker on a giant stingray, wearing a foam Statue of Liberty Hat. Instead of braking he just screamed and put up his arm. Crazy!

-Then, instead of braving Times Square, (yes I'm a wimp), we headed to a new bar a half block from our hotel called The Churchills, where Churchill gives moving speeches in the restroom. The place wasn't packed so we did our best to give a warm Iowa welcome to folks coming in the door - cheering and clapping. The English owner thanked us, asking where we were from. When we told him, he said..."I have no idea where that is...". Regardless we had such fun there - dancing to the 80's hits blasting on the sound system. We watched the ball drop on TV, surreal thinking it was really just a few blocks away - hugs and kisses all around.

What a way to start a year! Then we joined together doing high kicks to Sinatra's New York - whilst in New York. Bars here stay open until 4 a.m.! But we headed back to our room just after 2 a.m., tired but happy Iowans, ready to take on 2012.

Cheers 2012!

Movin' on up

The text message I received from Paul Tuesday came out of the blue. It said something like this: "Zimprich (his supervisor) called they want to detail me to DSM for 3 months talk more tonight" Yikes! That wasn't much to go on! Why, what, how? I had so many questions. But we were both working - I in my cubicle where everyone all around could hear everything I said. So I waited.

That night he called after my roomie Joan and I had taken time to catch up about our Christmas breaks. Paul and I made small talk first about how our days went and other current events...avoiding the elephant.

Then he explained. His supe, Jeff Zimprich, who is the Area Conservationist, will be going to Illinois to serve as the State Conservationist for 3-4 months. While he's gone, an Assistant State Conservationist will go to Atlantic to get some field experience - filling in for Jeff. That leaves an opening at the State NRCS Office. The State Con thought of Paul for that opening, knowing that I work and live in DSM. Paul had one day to decide whether or not to accept the offer. I said "Go for it!" He agreed - to exciting an offer to turn down.

There are many things to consider:

• Paul - his staff and work, and our home in Creston - even though we plan to go home on weekends. Where would we live and how much will they pay for living expenses.
• For me - what about my roomie deal with Joan? Paul will have to work in DMS on Fridays - should I still go home to Creston Thursdays? Will we like living together fulltime?
• And for both of us -  about our pets - Odie the wiener and Kitty, the decrepit 18 year old feline. The mail, the trash, making sure the house is okay. Stuff like that.

It's so exciting though - a chance to live together, maybe close to downtown. I'd love it if I could walk to work! We can have our cake and eat it too - big city life and Creston on weekends. He can "test drive" what a job in the State Office might be like. I hope we can find a pet-friendly place.

The sun did come up

Paul's friend

After the bowl game loss. On Saturday we headed to the bus stop to catch the Grey Line bus to Battery Park for the Ferry to Ellis Island. It was nearly 10 a.m. - after seeing the crazy long lines there on Thursday, we were worried it would be a long wait, but it wasn't bad...unless you dislike street musicians. This one liked us - we were still mostly decked out in ISU gear, so we were easy to pick out of a crowd. He sounded like he was from Jamaica, and he had definitely watched the ISU/Rutgers game because he said - in that accent they have, "yer team needs ter get some offense!" No shit!

Then he sang a sweet song to Don and Diana and told them to have more children. He asked them what Paul's name was, and called him out - saying he bet he'd never kissed a black man before. Paul fessed up right away, saying this was true. So with the weight of the white race on his shoulders (and not one drop of liquor in his bloodstream), Paul gave him a smack on the cheek. I was astonished! Then the guy moved onto the next group. He's the Ellis Island Ferry's version of the United Nations I guess!

Huddled masses yearning to be free

To get on the ferry, you have to strip down farther than you do to fly. I had to take my watch off. Poor Donnie and his titanium hips. But the weather was gorgeous and the boat ride was excellent - sunny and Lady Liberty smiled upon us. We stopped near her base and then moved on to the island that welcomed so many to American soil. It seems so ironic to me that this island has now become such a symbol - yet immigrants are so often even today, looked down upon.

We were on a mission at the island. Diana's mother, the former Isolina Consilvio (RIP) also known as Betty, passed through Ellis Island as a young war bride. She and Dee's dad, Jim Brown were married the last day of the War Brides Act, enacted in 1945 to allow spouses to enter the country after World War 2. Betty's name has been engraved in a memorial wall at Ellis Island, and Dee wished to do a rubbing of the name.

Doing the rub

Diana told the rest of us we could go about seeing the museum - but we wanted stick with her as she did this - we all knew Betty who died in an automobile crash in 2010. At ISU's last bowl game in Phoenix, she rubbed my shoulders as I was tense during the game - saying "it be okay". She never did get English all the way...It seemed fitting that a very light drizzle began to fall as we discovered the location of the name. I held a piece of paper over the site where Diana and Don worked at getting the rubbing. It was all very emotional as tears rolled down Diana's face - I couldn't help but think the rain represented Betty's tears.

My favorite part of the museum were the photographs. If the walls could talk. Just like the war vets, the people passing through Ellis are now passing on. I hope we never forget the history there.

After the ferry returned us to Terra firma, we wandered through Wall Street - there be no food there. At least on weekends. So we headed for the pier where we finally found someplace for lunch. Then we took the subway back to our hotel. It was New Year's Eve baby - we needed to come up with a plan! Dwight and Marilyn had been at a Broadway Play - the Book of Mormon, which they said was good but raunchy. DC got it in his head that we needed to eat Korean Barbecue (and that he needed to wear the ISU chicken hat). This after we tried to put a dent in the liquor we had left.

Ready to order Korean

The Korean Barbecue was very interesting - and spicy. We allowed the waitress to help us select the 8 entrees. They cooked the stuff right on griddles at our tables. I think my purse still smells like it! We drank sake. Not my favorite. Whilst walking back to our hotel from the Korean district, Diana nearly got run over by a guy on a big Stingray bike. He was wearing a foam Statue of Liberty Hat, and must have been quite plastered because he didn't seem to know how to put the brakes on even though he was coming straight for us! He just raised one hand and screamed. I nearly peed my pants from laughing.

We had made the group decision that we didn't want to face Times Square for New Years Eve, so had scoped out a newly opened English Pub by the name of Churchill's a half block from our hotel. We got there just after 10 PM and there was a table right near the front window with our name on it. Our waiter was a cute Australian kid. The music was kinda loud so I tried to come up with something to entertain myself until midnight. They were playing a lot of 80's music. I decided it should be our mission to attract customers in for the owner - the English guy. So when a new person came in the door I would make a touchdown with my arms and yell "score"! Everyone would clap - and the people coming in felt like rock stars I'm sure.

Street lights shining through the window at Churchill's made this shadow...

Soon we were having such fun greeting everyone that the owner came over to thank us. When we told him we were from Iowa, he said - "I don't have any idea where that is...". Next we started dancing, and others were too. At midnight they handed out champagne and we watched the ball drop just a few blocks away...on TV! Hugs and kisses all around. Then they played Sinatra's New York and we did a kick line. It was surreal. More dancing - once I looked over and Diana was dancing with a black chick. (someone we had cheered for when she came in). I think we were the darlings of the bar. We lasted until a little after 2 a.m. There were people all over in the streets and our hotel bar was still rocking. We sat in our room for a nightcap. The funny thing is I had 2 drinks the whole night - I was mostly on a natural high...I hated for the night to end. One of my most fun NY Eve Ever!

Don is ahead of the curve doing YMCA...

Game Day in the Big Apple

We really needed to eat before heading to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. I like that word - Bronx. We asked the doorman what he might suggest and he pointed us up the street where we found a little grocery/cafe - middle Eastern I believe. They served a decent breakfast. Then we hopped on the subway for the big game.

Pregame was at a place called The Dugout. It was deceiving - the size of the place. It looked like a small bar, but when you walked to the back and around the corner - walaa. A huge room filled with Cyclone fans! I had a $10 Bloody Mary. It was good. Then we headed over to Yankee Stadium and another nice Security Guard took our group photo. Then on to the Cyclone Spirit Walk - and picked up Pinstripe Bowl Pins. College Prez Geoffrey, Athletic Director Pollard and Coach Rhoads all spoke - and we could see 'em on the big screen. Go Clones!

Once we got into the vaunted stadium, we got a hot dog. Of course! It was a pretty cool venue - and the sun was shining. Too bad the Cyclones weren't. They sucked after the first couple series. Not much for us to cheer about. And I sat by the flailing lady - she bruised me several times. Bitch. At halftime we met our old friend Tom Sullivan and beau Shirley. Tom recently sold his Des Moines vet clinic and moved to this area after a divorce. He was in our wedding and we have known him since college and it was good to see him.

When the game was over, we subdued and somewhat crabby fans took the subway back to near our hotel. I must say the Rutgers fans were pretty nice - so that helped. The subway popped out near Macy's - so we looked around in that famed department store. Then we headed to a sports bar - but found the one that had been recommended sported a $20 cover, and was a Rutgers fan bar to boot! PASS. Down the block there was a nice free bar called Foley's that fit the bill for what we were looking for though. It was named after a former sportswriter and was chockfull of sports memorabilia. Plus there were TVs available so we could catch the Iowa vs. Oklahoma game. Tom and Shirley joined us for dinner and a couple drinks - fun to catch up with them, and introduce them to our Crestonia friends.

Foley's Sportsbar

On the way back to our hotel from Foley's Paul snapped a photo of me with trash. It's everywhere in NYC. Not much recycling to be seen, besides the containers I spied at Yankee Stadium. It makes me sad. I'd think they would be more like Italy, placing giant pods for recycling around on the streets. Day 3 in NYC was a bit of a downer - the game made me crabby. The Cyclones didn't seem ready to play. But the end of the day was cool, and it was nice seeing Tom.

One of the balls in Foley's - of What Not to Wear Fame

Big Apple Day 2

Before we moved near the crowd

We woke up early on Thursday - but not early enough we found out when we arrived at 30 Rock, where people gather to watch the Today Show cast shoot the show. We arrived about 7 a.m. and the "happening" end of the outdoor filming area was packed full of people - some of them Cyclone fans. We tried standing at the far end of the blocked off area, where we had a clear line of sight to the filming area - but a kindly security guy told us they wouldn't be filming down there. So we scrunched towards the throng of people.

Matt looks cold too

Crazy Grecian Formula Saints Fan

It was COLD! I was glad I packed my Cyclone snuggie in my backpack, and wore my Cuddle Duds. Even so, I quickly began to shiver. Bobbie is always looking to get a better spot - she soon began to scootch towards the filming area. Paul said there was room by Bobbie and Jeff, so we moved near them, behind some guys with goofy New Orleans Saints hats on. When it was finally time for the stars to come out, Stephanie Abrams from the Weather Channel (filling in for Al Roker - who was in Cal prepping for the Rose Bowl Parade gig) made like a bee for the Saints dudes. First they went to Matt Lauer - and when the weather came on, there was my face - complete with my Cyclone Santa hat - in the camera shot. It was so funny! All to quickly, my 3 seconds of fame were over. The stars scrambled for their warm studio and we headed into the Rockefeller Building for coffee and heat! Diana and Donnie had been at the Fox morning show - so we sipped java and awaited their arrival.

Next we walked past Radio City - and had to do a few high kicks (as high as we can), and a few more photo ops. We hopped on a Grey Line tour bus to see the city sights. Wall Street, Battery Park, Times Square and more - we sat in an enclosed bubble on the top of the bus. In the late afternoon, it was Cyclone Time - meeting just off Times Square at O'Lunney's. Conovers were already there - they had spent the day at an art museum, skipping the bus tour since they've been in the city before. The Irish bar made a mean Lemondrop Martini I must say! We had a nachos, but no meal and decided to move on to the other ISU Fan gathering place, Tonic. It was a mob scene walking through the Square.

Lemondrop at O'Lunneys

Do I look a little wound up? Notice beer on table...

Second floor of Tonic was a rocking Cyclone haven - and we were lucky enough to snag a table. There were nice young folks at the table next to us - including a first year teacher at Creston Elementary! Small world. We ended up running into this group all around NYC. The youngsters ordered some type of large beer delivery system with a spigot - so by-golly, we oldsters needed one, or two of those as well! You get the picture. We made friends we everyone near us, talking for a long while to a guy from Marion that knew our old pal Bob Fitzpatrick, RIP. Cyclone QBs Bret Meyer and Austin Arnaud were there. Jeff Johnson. It was crazy! Wisely, the Conovers decided we needed to eat. McKims and McFees stayed at the bar. We ate 5-Brothers burgers - best meal I had all week! Then we walked the 14 blocks back to the hotel. Good for clearing the head.

I love this pic of Paul - no not Ryan McKim behind us...

Jeff, Bobbie, Diana and Donnie ended up taking a taxi home. Jeff was feeling a bit wobbly - and the trash bags that often line MY streets were looking so soft and comfy. They ate at the McDs by our hotel (it got an A from the food patrol). During that time Don found a homeless woman walking a dog. The woman told him she was an artist who had fallen on bad times. Softee that he is, Donnie ended up giving her good advice and a bit of cash. I hope she listened - he's got a good head on his shoulders, that guy.

Nobody felt too bad the next day - surprising. We were wise to eat! Day 2 was fun from beginning to end.  

Big Apple Pinstripe

When the Cyclones became bowl eligible, by upsetting the #2 Oklahoma State Cowboys, I thought to myself - "please don't send us to the Pinstripe Bowl". I didn't want to go to a bowl game in a cold venue in New York City. After all, last year there was a big snow storm, and the Kansas State fans who attended looked miserable.

But I warmed up to the idea, after ISU got the invite and McKims started talking about going. Conovers were "All In" (the team's motto) they said. What the heck - it would be my big chance to get Paul to the Big Apple! We were in too. Bobbie and Jeff McFee decided they would go. At first we talked about staying in New Jersey, but Dwight thought Manhattan was the way to go. Good call. Perfect sized group - we could share rooms to save on expenses. Up close and personal - good thing we like each other. Donnie made a reservation at the Carlton - 28th and Madison. (not the Ritz Carlton - but still, a 4 Star hotel).

Don is presently an eye doc. But in his next life he could be a tour guide. He likes figuring out where things are and how to get from A to B. He's good at it too! It's nice for unworldly sheltered folks like Paul and me to travel with him. He's good at tipping and asking for help. I'm not. We're both Scorpios - so that shoots the whole horoscope thing to hell...Don lined up a nice guy with a big black SUV to pick us up at the Newark airport. Slick. After we got checked in, we stopped at a liquor store and asked the clerk to suggest a local bar. Had a nice drink as Desmonds - perfect!

That night we were off to Little Italy for some pasta - in honor of Diana's Italian heritage. We tried the place that had been recommended - crowded. Marilyn went next door - they had a table available that we decided to take advantage of. We ordered some red wine. I decided to go with some basic spaghetti and meatballs. It hit the spot. 

Then we headed to Rockefeller Center - or 30 Rock. The place was packed full of people. A nice security guy took our photo by the big Christmas Tree. We saw all sorts of interesting sights walking back to our hotel from there. Our first day was a big success!  



A window display






projected on a building by 30 Rock

 

Christmas Day Fam and Feast

It's January 2, and we've have been to Colorado, New York and back. But I must write a brief blog about our fam gathering and mouth watering Christmas Day feast at the Pottorff's before I write about NYC. We love being with the Lefebvres on Christmas Day - it's even more special and fun than the big party. There is something about sharing this day with my sis and having our families together that warms my heart.

This year, Jordan Alvillar hung out with us too, before heading home to Grand Junction to be with her parents. The kids spent time looking on the large Lefebvre tree for the little pickle ornament to see who got to open the first gift. Jordan got us some yummy chocolates, and we got her a lil shovel so cute boys can get her car unstuck like they did that week. I admit it - Paul and I overdid it. We went overboard when it came to gifts for our cherubs. But dang it, the little 'uns have their own jobs now! We too received fab gifts from them. We had bloody marys and little quiches.

Then Paul and the kids went off to ski Beaver Creek and Colby left to ski Vail in a Santa suit. Cindo and I were left to do a jigsaw puzzle. It was very relaxing. Bolder rested - tired from the big night.

Amy and Jud

Later, we all went to Pottorffs for prime rib - Eric had put it in 8 hours earlier. What a hunk of meat! Bonnie prepared potatoes, and Shaloy and Jim brought salad. Paul and I brought some of his deer sausage and sticks. There were deviled eggs, shrimp, cheese and more. So very good! Bonnie described their plans to say their vows again this coming June, for their 25th Anniversary - in Vegas. Elvis will pick them up in a pink Cadillac! The Lefebvres will be there too. Fun people!

The Goldsmiths headed home at 6 a.m. the next morning - a long drive, but we were well satisfied. There is nothing like family for the holidays.