Made it into the Big Apple today. Beginning to get the hang of this after 3 trips here in the past year. Park at Newark airport, catch a shuttle bus into Grand Central station and then either walk or catch a subway to where we stay. Piece of cake. Cost of 1 week subway/bus pass has climbed to $24, but still the best deal going in NYC. Ate lunch and dinner at Grand Central - food is good and prices are reasonable (for NYC).

Spent about 4 days in Philly doing the history thing - the new Constitution exhibit (very nicely done - definitely worth a visit), Independence Hall (they make the visits too short - timed visits - 15 minutes - guess with so many people wanting to visit ......,) also checked out all the other historical homes around Independence Hall. Helps to have studied up on your late 1700's history before coming. Fortunately, I had prepared by reading Michael Shaara's revolutionary war books, the Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis, and Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer.

Also took in the Philadelphia Museum of Art (wonderful museum - where Rocky ran up the steps), ate Philly cheesesteaks and other bad things at the Reading Terminal Market near City Hall (took the elevator ride to the very top of the biggest city hall blgd in the country).

Plan to do some of our Audible.com Soundwalks (walking tours with audio from locals - outstanding series of walks) - this time plan to do Wall Street, Brooklyn, and Little Italy. Hope to take in "Flightplan" at the Ziegfield with Jodie Foster and maybe a Broadway show, if we can find a cheap one we like .

Till then....