USA Xmas 2016

A 29-day adventure by Walkabout AUS Read more

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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Amtrak to Philadelphia
December 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌫 0 °C
Early Saturday morning start to walk across the road to the Amtrak station turned into a bit if a challenge. Unaware of the local conditions, the sub zero temperatures had iced everything up and without realizing I suddenly found the impact of walking onto a metal grate that was icy, landing face first on the sidewalk and it was definitely an ...OUCH.
Here we go now, on the train to Philadelphia finally. The trains are pretty spacious on the longer routes as you can see form the picture of the girls, good leg room, plenty of recline and pretty comfortable. Once underway we headed to the cafe car for some snacks and a few beverages. Very comfortable way of getting around the US.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Marriott Residences Philadelphia
December 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ❄️ 1 °C
Booked this place about 4 months back due to a special deal I could get online, and was a really nice place, right in the heart of the city opposite the City Hall. From here we will have a good base to explore Philly tonight and tomorrow.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Chilli's Philly
December 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
Here to eat and watch the YSU semi final game against E Washington. YSU are the underdogs in this game after an amazing performance all year. So we are going to endure Chilli's Mexican food, a few beers and keep our fingers crossed as tight as possible. Actually the meal was pretty good.
The game has started and the stress beginsRead more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Youngstown State to the Finals
December 17, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌫 1 °C
It's official YOUNGSTOWN STATE v JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY in the finals. Go YSU. that was the most amazing game of American football I have ever seen. Nail biting right to the last 1 second.
So happy to have been here with the girls to witness and be a part of this.
Go the Penguins.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Liberty Bell
December 18, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
A beautiful day today of 15 so huge temp difference from the last week. Philadelphia is such a beautiful city, and of course the home of the bell and creation and signing of their constitution.
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Independence Hall
December 18, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Philadelphia just delivers when it comes to history, this is where America was born, first with the Declaration of Independence and articles, and then the Constitution creation and signing.
We took the tour through Independence Hall to see where the discussions and votes had been taken from the 13 independent states.
The rest of the day we cruised around the Old City and the narrow streets of the 1700's.
After the big night out last night watching the Youngstown game we decided to just veg out and cook a meal to eat in tonight. Heading off tomorrow for New York.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Departing Philly - 30th St Station
December 19, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ -2 °C
It's been a few days between posts so here is a catch up series coming through. Had a great time in Philly, but this place truly needs at least a week to see even a fraction of what this place has to offer. Rail transport, or the Amtrak is big time in the US, tons of people travel this way in relative comfort compared to what we do in OZ. It's Monday morning and heading off to New York now.
Cost of train travel is relatively inexpensive too.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
TGI Fridays- NYC
December 19, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 -3 °C
Arrived in the big Apple, checked into the Roosevelt and headed straight out to get some eats. Train was delayed a good hour on the trip due to severe weather conditions but we got here in the end.
Not far from Times Sq so head there and the nearest thing we could get to that you didn't have to take a 2nd mortgage out on your home was TGI Fridays.
With the locality name you pay accordingly. The same items you'd pay say 10-12 dollars for in Pittsburgh's TGI ballooned out to over 20 dollars at Times Sq.
oh well, that's NY.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
NY Central 5th Ave
December 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Today was just a stroll day to check out stores on 5th Ave and Madison for the girls so we headed towards Manhattan Central and of course came across Trump Tower, lol, just had to get a snap. The girls stayed in stores a lot due to the cold so I headed over to Central Park on my own.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
NY Central Park
December 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
The girls eventually caught up to me in the Park, but unfortunately the cold was pretty severe at -6 and a wind chill of -11, so a fast stroll and then off to find some warm cafe for a late lunch.
Seeing the crazies putting up with the cold and skating at the rink was something to see. You come to NY at Xmas these are the things you expect to do.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Staten Island Ferry
December 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 0 °C
What to do after the late lunch was the next concern. Too cold for the lady with the lamp and the queues were massive so instead we decided to head over to Staten Island and get some shots from the ferry along the way.
Got some good tips from one of the ferry crew and marched into Staten Island for some dinner.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Pier 76 Pizza Bar -Staten Island
December 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 -1 °C
The crews tip off was incredible. This great little Italian Bar and a Pizza Joint for true New York style pizzas. Not a lot of topping, but flavours just blew your taste buds. I went through some locally brewed beers whilst the girls experimented with some local beveridge combinations.
Spent a bit but the barman was tremendous, threw in some freebies, and closed the night out with some weird shots type drinks.
Ok, now to make our way back over to Manhattan and our hotel.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Time alone
December 20, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 0 °C
No matter where you are in the world and no matter how strong your relationships there are times when you just need to be yourself in your own space.
Tonight is one of those times, had a fantastic day out with the family and saw so many things across NY City and Staten Island, but I just needed to get out and about and be myself, no concerns about who I HAD to be and could just be myself.
A great little Irish Tavern on Madison Ave provided the perfect remedy, prescription provided.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
The pub closed
December 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 -2 °C
Damn
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Times Square. NYC
December 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 3 °C
Good old Times Sq, no visit to New York would be complete without stopping off here, and you tend to do it every trip anyways.
The colours, the lights, the vibrant atmosphere no matter what the temperature, and Times Sq is just Times Sq.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Rockefeller Centre
December 21, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 1 °C
When being in NY at Christmas this place is also on the must see list. The Rockefeller Centre converts over to an ice skating rink and is a huge favourite with the tourists to say they skated at the Rockefeller.
Straight across the road is Sacs Fifth Ave, and the light show on the side of the building was just incredible, no photos alone will do the show justice, you have to be there to experience it.
By this stage the girls had had enough, and although we were pretty tired from walking, Sue and I still headed there seeing as it was only a few short blocks from the Roosevelt. So glad we did.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Penn Station -Amtrak
December 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Well all good times must come to an end and this one is no different. Time to head back to Pittsburgh and then drive back to Youngstown from there.
It's about a 9 hour train ride back through Philadelphia and across to Pittsburgh.
As you can see... a pretty tired crew.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Disaster on the tracks
December 22, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Our long trip has been extended due to the sadness of a disaster on the tracks up ahead.
As we came into Latrobe Pennsylvania we were instructed that the train had to lay up due to incident of a suicide on the tracks further ahead in Greensburg Pennsylvania. Such a sad thing to happen to a family this time of year.
Train has been stationary now for over one and half hours with no sure timeframe as to when it will be allowed to depart.
So sad.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Cranberry, Pennsylvania.
December 24, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
Drove down to Pittsburgh today for lunch with Shannon and Brandi as it would be the only time Bec would see Brandi while she was home.
Had a great lunch at the Lounge Bar in Cranberry, to the usual burgers and fries.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Giant Eagle, Cranberry, PA
December 24, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
Seeing as time was running out we needed to head to a local store as quick as possible to get the last minute food shopping prior to Xmas Day. Everything closes 3pm Xmas eve apparently so people can get home to their families for Xmas. At least in America family time is important so hence the early closing, shame Australia doesn't have the same respect for families.
We needed some goodies for our Xmas day tomorrow with our new local friend Brad at his place.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Christmas Day 2016
December 25, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
We were so engrossed in staying warm and going to our local friends home for Xmas Day we omitted to take a single photo all day. Weird.
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Good American Denny's Lunch
December 26, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Our last day with Bec before she heads off to Puerto Rico for the teams annual training Trip. Doing a few errands and buying some new suit cases seeing as one of ours got trashed by the airline and damaging the zipper so it won't close.
Another case to start bringing some of Bec's stuff back as she graduates in May.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Back in Pittsburgh
December 27, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 4 °C
Back in Pitt for the final leg of our trip. Been keen to check out this very historic city and it's local British colony history prior to the war against the British.
Got a great deal at the Westin again thanks to fantastic friends with connections. Right in the heart of the city. Headed out to the Brick Oven for a wood fired pizza and then hit the sack early.Read more
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Pittsburgh by Day
December 28, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
Today was just a cruise around town day checking out the sights and sounds of the bustling city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
So much history here dating back almost 400 years.
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USA Xmas 2016 Walkabout AUS
Incline up to Mt Washington
December 28, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
Took the incline tram up Mt Washington and had lunch at the top in the Redbeards bar & Grill. Good food and drink but the service was atrocious. Didn't tip and won't be back.
Was a great day. as their are actually two incline trams, one at each end of Mt Washington. We took the northern one up, did lunch, walked down to the southern one and back down to the river. Really great sights from here as you can see in the snaps.Read more
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