Crossing off my first item on my Bucket List

I have been dreaming of places to go as long as I can remember. Adding places to a list that I have never written down until recently but, knew I wanted to explore. One of those places was the Brooklyn Bridge, more specifically walking over the bridge and getting photos of the New York city skyline. New York City skyline with Empire State BuildingYou would expect things to go easy once you have picked your city, did your research, and made all the preparations. But, with me…it never goes easy.

My flight was supposed to leave at 5am on a Friday morning. Mother Nature graciously decided to send me off to New York in a blizzard. Getting up at 3am when I’m not a morning person is difficult but, it’s even harder when it is super cold outside. I made it to the airport with no problems and hardly any traffic to speak of. I checked my bag and waited to board the plane. I didn’t have to wait long. Surprisingly everything was moving like clockwork. The plane left the gate and I thought “Here I go!” with a big smile on my face. Almost immediately the plane stopped. We didn’t know why we were sitting there. There was no message from the captain or the flight crew. I kept looking out the window and watching the snow come down but, I couldn’t figure out why we weren’t flying. Then I saw them. Three planes sitting next to each other with 2 moving trucks with an extension bucket high overhead spraying the planes. Ooohhh! that is why! My plane was waiting to get de-iced. you would think that they would have said something. With all the grumbling from my fellow passengers, I was still smiling to myself…Better to be safe than sorry! We finally made it to New York an hour later than expected and I’m sure that the New Yorkers were so happy with me that I brought the snow along.

Wyndham Garden Chinatown New YorkTraffic on New York streets with tall buildingsNext step was to get to my hotel, the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Chinatown. Transportation was one area that I didn’t plan ahead on. I got my bag, looked around, saw the Port Authority but, wasn’t sure what that was. I walked outside and thought for a second to get a taxi but, decided to try my luck back inside. The Port Authority were very helpful in securing me a ride on the Airlink Shuttle for only $17. The only thing was that I had to wait 30 min for it to get there. Thirty minutes later, seven passengers and I started our trip from La Guardia to downtown. An hour and a half later I was finally dropped off in front of my hotel. Yes, I did say an hour and a half! I got a $17 tour of downtown New York City through the window of a shuttle van. All those one way streets made it quite tricky for the driver to drop each passenger off. I almost thought he forgot that I was in the back of the van at one point.

Now that I was there, I dropped off my bag at the hotel and stepped outside to experience Chinatown.

After walking around and taking a couple of photos I headed toward the Brooklyn Bridge. I was so excited! The last time I was in New York City was in 2007 and everything I saw was so different from back then. The most inspiring view was seeing One World Trade Center rising in between the buildings as I walked toward the bridge. One World Trade CenterThroughout this time I was trudging along the sidewalks trying to hop over the biggest snow puddles but, not quite making it most of the time. When I finally made the final turn to walk up to the bridge I looked down and noticed that my jeans were completely soaked up to my ankles. On top of that, my stomach started growling. I had not eaten since last night. Love those food cart vendors! They are always there when you need them. I bought a large, hot pretzel to munch on to tide me over until I could get some real food later. There I was starting my walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with soaked jeans, eating a hot pretzel, trying to keep my hat on my head with all the cold wind blowing around me, while juggling my Canon at the same time. I’m sure I looked fabulous but, you know what…I didn’t care. I made it to the Brooklyn Bridge! Yeah me!

I slipped once while walking across the bridge in the snow. One World Trade Center framed by Brooklyn BridgeWhen I looked up and around to see if anyone saw me, I noticed I was at the same spot Meg Ryan had to jump off the bridge to go back in time in “Kate & Leopold”. Coincidence? Maybe…maybe not. As I continued to walk across, I kept stopping to turn around and take pictures of the skyline and then turn around to take selfies with my phone. I really tried to stay out of people’s way and out of their pictures. I was such a tourist and I was loving every minute of it. I even smiled and waved at the police guy sitting in the tiny vehicle on the bridge. I braved the 3 hour start delay, the cold, the wind, my hunger, and my wet jeans to check off one of my bucket items and I am so glad I did!New York City skyline with Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade Center

Have you had a bucket list item that was a difficult one to check off? I would love to hear all about it!

6 Comments

  • Wanderlustingk 10April2016 at 2:12 PM Reply

    I just checked something off my list today: exploring an abandoned building I’ve always been too afraid to do it, but I loved it. Next time, I’ll be less nervous. 😉

    • Heather 10April2016 at 5:43 PM Reply

      I did that for the first time this past summer. It was a bit frightening but, I got some really cool photos from it. I’ll be posting it soon. Wanderlustingk keep up the exploring!

  • PriVin 9April2016 at 3:37 PM Reply

    Great photos and congrats on checking one of the list! One way to look at it is – When things don’t go well as planned they make good stories.. right?!

    • Heather 9April2016 at 6:05 PM Reply

      Absolutely PriVin! They definitely make the trip more interesting!

  • A Taste for Travel (@atastefortravel) 9April2016 at 7:56 AM Reply

    I dread those early morning 3am wake-ups but it’s so worth it to arrive at a fabulous destination. Glad to hear you checked one item off your travel bucket list!

  • annanowak11 8April2016 at 8:09 PM Reply

    Congratulations! Wish you many happy travels ;-).
    I have found white-sand heaven. Who would like to go? http://wp.me/p5JmGy-13r

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