Thanksgiving 2010 in New York City - Part 2 (Parade Day)

We knew we would be overwhelmed by the amount of things to see in NYC, so we came up with a "Must See" list - only the things that would be disappointing to the point of ruining the whole trip if we didn't see while there.  Colton's number ONE reason for going was simply to see all of the lights (pics to follow in a later post) and myriad of buildings.  After that, this was our list in order of importance:

1. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

2. Empire State Building

3. Museum of Natural History (tickets purchased in advance with our bus tour!)

4. Statue of Liberty

We only had 3 full days and a half day so we felt if we were able to get all of that done we'd be doing good.  Anything else and we felt it would just be icing on the cake!

So "the plan" was to get to Central Park by around 6:00am.  I know, I was doubtful, too.  I freely admit I'm NOT a morning person.  So, no, we didn't get there on (planned) time, but I can't take all of the blame.  Someone had to get breakfast for our son.  Someone had to order something "off menu" at the hotel's restaurant, costing an arm and a leg AND taking even more time. Needless to say, two of us were very frustrated and neither care to rush on vacation.  

Enjoying a "made to order" breakfast at the parade.

We were so rushed that I didn't get to check the map again to make sure I could tell the cab driver which street to drop us off at and Neal just told him "take us to Central Park for the parade".  You KNOW I had this planned so great...we would be at just the perfect spot - not right at the starting point, but a little ways down the street and definitely in direct sunlight.  And I knew we would need to be even farther down the street since more people would be out there by this time, but I didn't say a word.  Mainly because it's hard to navigate when in the backseat of a cab. 

Waiting for the parade to start.
Yes, it was quite chilly but Colton was quite content.
Hand & toe warmers sure do come in handy!

The "perfect spot" was no longer available.  He dropped us off at the very first street of the parade, which was ALL bleachers - meaning, you had to have paid for a ticket and apparently only "special" people were allowed to purchase them - no standing room was available for several blocks.  It seemed like a fun adventure looking for a good spot, at first, but then I began to get a little concerned that we might never find a street without barricades or too many people already piled up.  I couldn't help from thinking, "Didn't this cab driver know this would be the absolute worst place drop people off at the parade?  Or was he just buying his time with us?"

These little tripod stools were excellent for the parade.
We huddled next to each other while waiting for start time.
Colton and I were a bit too short to see over people's head
in front of us, so I would stand up on one for a moment
to see and jumped back down out other people's way.  
Colton became the same height as Neal, so no problem there.

Anyway, we made it...finally!  This is what we were here for, yea!  And we got to look up at this gorgeous building while waiting.  I couldn't stop looking at it!  Isn't it beautiful?

 Two very large city trucks came up behind us and parked facing one another.  I think their purpose must have been to minimize the crowd's ability to push forward until, eventually, the people at the front are caught at the barricades and smooshed!  Both trucks were covered with people (kids and adults) by the time the parade started.  I was surprised the city allowed this.  There was one man who sat directly on top of the side bed frame with a very nice camera and I found myself thinking, "That guy's going to have some really nice photo ops in that spot!"

I didn't realize there was a camera crew right behind us until posting this picture!  There were about 4 or 5 rows of people in front of us and about the same behind us to the dump trucks, plus more behind that.  There were so many people that we nearly didn't notice 2 fights break out right next to us before police were on top of it, breaking it up.  That's some good service!  Go NYPD! 


And now, on with the parade...

This truly was a LARGE drum.  Look how big it is compared to this
guy's head!  I couldn't even get it all in the photo lens frame.
It rolled down the street on wheels.

Just so there's no doubt we were actually at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...

Sweet Snoopy

 The balloons were Colton's favorite part of the parade.  They were awesomely big!

Can't have a Thanksgiving Day parade without the turkey!

Kermi

A tribute pic of my old high school rival's band from Missouri...

The performers on street level are my favorite part of a parade.  The picture above is an example of my jumping up on the stool to quickly get my shot!

Diary of a "Wimpy Kid"

Hooper's Store from Sesame Street

Impressive how large the ground floats were too.

Good 'ole Ronald McDonald!

Mount Rushmore

 Okay, this guy on stilts - the one who's taller than everybody - was skipping along! On stilts!

Old pal Mickey

Look closely at this one...the pizza guys (in red) are spinning and tossing pizzas - while they are walking!!

Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010 winner:
 Lebanon-born Miss Michigan is first Arab-American to take crown.

pirates??

You can't see in the picture below, but it took tons of people to hold the balloon strings on not just this balloon, but all of them.

A sea of people, looking down Central Park West.
I love the grin on that kid's face, just below the sign on the right.

Lovable Shrek

Many thanks to sister-in-law, Courtney, for loaning her camera so I could take such great pictures!  It was a real blessing for me.


Stay tuned for the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock!