Lame Travels: To New York and Back Part III (day 10)

When my family and I returned to where we were staying, we discussed or plans for the next day. My sister really wanted to return to Battery Park to buy a painting from the spray paint artist we had seen earlier that day. As a family, we decided that it would be better for us to split up, as it was so slow for me to travel down to South Ferry. My dad and I also thought it would be neat to visit the Natural Science Museum. So, my dad and I would travel to the Natural Science Museum, while my mom and sister would head back down to South Ferry.

The next day, we ended up traveling to Colobus Circle (59th street station) to visit Carnegie Hall before splitting up. When we exited the train, the elevator up to the street was not "right there" just like at the other stops; I had to find it. I headed in the direction that everyone else was traveling, thinking that the elevator would be where they were exiting. I came to a door; a door that looked like every other door I had been exiting (since I am unable to pass through the turn styles). Here, there are no turn styles; there is just that door. I almost exited though that door, but I am so glad I did not. Through that door leads up to the street, but only by a set of stairs! I quickly learned this and continued on my search for the elevator. I went passed the door and continued on until the platform opened up; to my left were the tracks and to my right a little ways further, I could see the elevator.
To the right of the elevator sits a ramp. I thought to myself, "I rather roll down that ramp than take the slow elevator!" I had this thought for a slight moment; this was until I noticed a sign hanging on the wall saying that the ramp is NOT handicap accessible. My thought instantly changed to. "Why would anyone construct a public ramp that is not handicap accessible?!" I also questioned why this ramp is not accessible. Could it be that there are steps at the bottom of the ramp? Or could it be that the ramp is just not up to ADA grade? This time, my first time at this stop, I did not venture down this ramp, I just waited for the elevator. However, the next time, I was super curious to figure out why this ramp is supposedly not accessible to me. Well, there are not stairs at the bottom of this ramp, and I DID access the unaccessible ramp! Never the less, I am pretty sure that the ramp in this subway station is a steeper gradient than the ADA warrants. So, my suggestion would be to replace the sign with a new one that explains exactly what is wrong with the ramp. For example, if the ramp is not up to ADA standard (a slope  of 1/2 ft.), then say exactly that. WARNING: THIS RAMP IS NOT TO ADA STANDARD. Or CAUTION: STEEP GRADIENT.

After traveling down the elevator (or the ramp), there is a second elevator that leads up to the street. My family and I took this elevator to go to Carnegie Hall. Unfortunately, this building was closed, as it was under construction. After taking pictures of the outside, Mom and Gina went back to the subway, and headed downtown, while Dad and I ventured back to the other side of the subway to go up town.

My sister playing Vanna White at Carnegie Hall

When my dad and I reached the subway station, we went down the elevator that we had taken up to the street earlier that morning. We went over to the information desk and asked the attendant to please open the accessible door. I need to ask the attendant every time I want to progress to the train as there are turnstiles that any able bodied person just passes through after swiping their MetroCard, but as a person who uses a wheelchair, I cannot physically pass through turnstiles. Another thing I am unable to do is swipe my MetroCard; fortunately, I was traveling with my dad, so he could swipe my card for me. However, I am pretty independent, and question whether or not I could travel the subways by myself. My first obstacle is actually getting down into the station, but once I am down, who is going to swipe my card? Do I trust a random person, or will there be an attendant at the information booth and will they assist me? 

Okay, back to having to check in with the attendant. We asked him to open the accessible door, and he did when my dad swiped my MetroCard. We went to the next elevator that we needed to take in order to head north. Well, it was broken. I found it odd that the attendant did not ask us if we were headed north; therefore, he did not tell us that the elevator was broken. I found out why the attendant at the INFORMATION booth did not inform us the elevator was broken: HE DID NOT KNOW! When my dad told the attendant, he was shocked. So shocked, he was apologetic and gave us two tickets for the next time we road the subway. 

So, our plan to go to the Natural Science Museum was foiled since it would take too long to walk or ride the bus there and back. By the time we would arrive to the museum, we would not get our money's worth before we had to venture back to meet up with my mom and sister near Rockefeller Center. Instead of visiting the museum, my dad and I ventured around Columbus Circle, experienced a New York City marketplace (that went on for blocks), and we also found Rockefeller Center. 

Columbus Circle was the only area that I found a crosswalk that did not have a curb cutout at both ends. The first time I crossed, I was pulled up the curb, but the second time, I found an alternative route to access the curb. Even though I had to deal with the missing curb cutout and the elevator mishap at the subway station, I really enjoyed Columbus Circle; the architecture is unique, and I absolutely loved the fountain!  

Favorite fountain I found in NYC

After taking pictures in Columbus Circle, my dad and I continued our venture through the streets of New York City. We came across a marketplace that seemed to go on forever; we could not see the end. I love to go to the market here in Bellingham, so it was exciting to see one so large. We browsed through about four of the tent lined blocks and then decided we had seen enough. We did end up having lunch at the market; I ate a thai chicken kabob and my dad enjoyed a corn dog. We also stumbled across a sweet treat that both of us could not pass up: deep fried Oreos.  

At the market

The deep fried Oreos 

When we were finished exploring the market, my dad and I went to Rockefeller Center. We looked at the flags and saw where the outdoor skating rink is in the winter. We found the elevator to go down below the street level where there is a mall like area with Starbucks, restaurants and bathrooms. Dad and I sat at a table for a while, then we decided to head in the direction of where my mom and sister would exit the subway. As we headed in that direction, my dad received a text from my mom that they should be a little longer than we thought, so we stopped and sat down by a fountain. 

After about four hours of separation, I was extremely happy to finally be reunited with my mom and sister; I really needed to use the bathroom and my dad and I could not find one that was accessible and unisex! I am so glad that Dad and I had explored Rockefeller Center earlier in the day and that I had discovered exactly where the elevator sits and that there are actual bathrooms that I could use! 

Our next stop: F.A.O. Swartz. This toy store, featured in the movie BIG, is located near the Rockefeller center. When we first arrived at F.A.O. Swartz, I thought I was not going to get to go inside as the courtyard area in front of this toy store is up three steps. I kept driving along the steps until I came to the end of the court yard. There I found a ramp that was tucked away near the building. When facing the main entrance to F.A.O. Swartz, the ramp is located to the far left. So, my initial assumption was wrong; I could get into the toy store! 

Once I got inside, I learned that there was a lower level of the toy store that could be accessed by a set of stairs or a ramp (that is located on the right side of the store when just having entered through the front doors). There is also an upstairs as well, however, there is only a set of stairs to access the second level. Never the less, F.A.O. Swartz is a pretty sweet toy store; the ton a toys, candies and figures that fill this store are so BIG! There are life-sized stuffed animals, giant lolly pops and peeps, along with a humongous minion from Despicable Me!

Gina and I with Zoltar from the movie BIG

PEEPS

With a Minion from Despicable Me

Onward we went to the next store on our list: Bloomingdales! Getting there was an adventure. A construction company was working on one corner of the store. This meant that there was not a curb cut out where I needed to get down. However, a temporary ramp had just been poured. This was neat because I have never experienced this before; here in Bellingham, every time I have found a curb cut out to be out of service, there just is not one for a while. Even though I was impressed with the fact there was a temporary ramp, I was disappointed to find out that when I drove down it, I sank in the fresh, gooey pavement. My question is, why was this ramp not blocked off until it was dry and solid? I wish someone would have informed me that the pavement was still wet. When I exited off the sidewalk via the temporary ramp, I sank into the squishy pavement, covering my tires in black goo. I was super embarrassed to go into Bloomingdales when we arrived, as I did not want to leave tire prints on their nice, shiny floors. Fortunately, the majority of the goo had rubbed off by the time we got there. To my relief, I did not make a mark on the tile floors of Bloomingdales. 

I really enjoyed exploring Bloomingdales. To get up to the main store, my sister and I took a small back elevator. From there, there were about nine elevators working on all main floors on which we could all ride. Gina and I browsed for awhile and found a ton of cute things, but they were way too expensive for our college student budgets! When we were finished looking around, we went to find our parents. They were waiting for us in the restaurant. We eventually came to a stair case which has an accessible lift for those of us that are unable to access the stairs. As we approached the staircase, one employee ran off to go get the key that activated the lift. Once we made our way to the stairs and were waiting for the nice man to return with the key, another employee asked me if I had been assisted yet and I had the pleasure of telling him, "yes"! I did not end up using the lift, as my parents were finished eating and joined us at the lift and then we exited the store the way Gina and I had entered. I was so amazed at how helpful the employees were at Bloomingdales. Thank you so much to anyone who helped us while we were there!     

In my family, we could not go to New York City and go to F.A.O. Swartz without going to Toys R Us. So, we headed to Time Square. My sister and I were curious to see what the Ferris Wheel in the center of the store actually looks like. We did not end up riding on the colorful wheel, but we did explore the store. There is an elevator; it is in the center of the store as well, tucked right behind the Ferris Wheel. I did not necessarily enjoy my time spent in Toys R Us; the elevator was dirty and there were a ton of kids that made it difficult to move around. I was glad when it was time to venture some where else.    

The Disney Store is located right in the middle of Time Square. When we went inside, there were employees that automatically told us what we would find upstairs and said they would show us to the elevator whenever we would like to go up to the second level. All the workers were helpful here too. Even when I could not get to the check out counter, they made it possible and easy to pay. Now it may be because they did not want to hurt their business, but I do not think that is the case. I have been shocked at how many places that are not completely accessible, hurt their business by letting a costumer's needs slide by. I was impressed by the employees at the Disney Store throughout my entire visit; even to the point when two different workers headed to open the door for me as I was leaving, even though I was not alone!  

After our long day of shopping, we just wandered around the streets of Times Square while we were deciding what we should eat for dinner. We were all pretty hungry, so we ruled out going back to my grandma's cousin's house to make dinner. We kept on walking though the sea of people; while in this dense area, we saw and heard so many diverse things. There was a group of people all dressed as different characters like superheroes and Hello Kitty; they all wanted people to get their picture taken with them in return for money. We also saw The Cowboy and a black man who claimed we could not get this (referring to himself) at Starbucks! I also was informed by a guy that, "there are male stripping midgets over there," while pointing into the crowed. Fortunately, we were headed in the opposite direction and I just kept rolling along. 

Mom, Gina and I in Time Square

When Mom and I were in London, we ate at the original Hard Rock Café. So, I thought it would be cool to eat dinner at the Hard Rock Café in New York City too! In NYC, the gift shop is located on the floor right off the street, while the actual restaurant is located one floor down.  There is an elevator that is located at the back of the gift shop, in the storage room. It was quite interesting to travel through all the shelves and boxes. After about only fifteen minutes we were seated. I ordered a tasty salad! 

Before we left the restaurant to head back "home" for the night, we used the bathroom; they are located on the same floor as the restaurant, but on the opposite side of the building. There is a handicap stall, but it can be kind of tricky getting there while having to maneuver through all the people.   

The lights over the bar in the Hard Rock Café

Gina and I at the Hard Rock Café

Overall, it was a good day. I had an amazing time with my dad at the market and I am pretty sure my mom and sister had a great adventure as well. It was quite intriguing for me to visit such large, popular stores and to top it all off, I had a delicious dinner with my family at an amazing restaurant! 

Lame Travels: To New York and Back Part II (days 8&9)

After driving through the rest of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, we made it to New York City. We arrived in this crazy city of lights on a Thursday night. We went straight to where we were going to stay; my Grandma's cousin's house. We had never met our grandma's cousin before, none the less, she opened her house up to us. She lives in a beautiful home in the Bronx, and is so kind and hospitable; I am so grateful that she welcomed us into her home! I loved getting to meet and talk with her!

Crossing the George Washington Bridge

George Washington Bridge (after we had crossed)

On the morning of our first full day in New York City, we drove to 96th street where we parked our van in a parking garage, then hopped on the subway. This was quite an experience for me. I had never been on a subway in my power wheelchair, only in my manual chair. When getting on the subway, we had to be quick in order to jump the gap; someone had to pop my tires up the bump onto the train. Once we safely made it onto one of the cars, we were on our way! First stop: Lincoln Center. 

On the subway! 

We exited the subway at the 66th street station, then we walked to Lincoln Center. Here, we saw the Opera House, and Juilliard, along with one of the many beautiful fountains in this city. We also came across an outdoor elevator, which made it so I did not have to travel all the way around the block (since I could not access the stairs), and a "ticker tape" stair way. 

At the Opera House 

My sister sitting on the Lincoln Center fountain

       

BEWARE OF STAIRS IN CENTRAL PARK! 

After we visited Lincoln Center, we walked over to Central Park. I do love the natural beauty of Central Park; this area is made up of many trees, winding trails, and wild life, and is nestled in the middle of this busy city. However, to my disappointment, many of these curvy pathways lead right into stairs. These stairs are not labeled on the map that we were handed in the park. So, as a tourist, these stairs came with quite a surprise. The other unfortunate thing is, not all of the trails that branch off the main paths are labeled on the map either. This makes it extremely difficult to find an alternative route to a desired destination. My recommendation would be that stairways are labeled on maps, and that alternate routes are listed as well. This would not just benefit people in wheelchairs, but those who use walking aids and anyone pushing a stroller.     

Entering Central Park

When we came to a stairway, my dad and sister continued on to find our destination and to meet up with family, while my mom and I ventured on our blind detour. After looking at our map many times, getting directions from three different people, and then making some educated guesses, we finally made it to our destination: Turtle Pond. 

There are actually turtles in this pond! 

My sister and the little guy

We met up with my grandma's other cousin (who lives in New York City as well) at Turtle Pond. From there, we all went to get lunch. We ate at an outdoor "walk-up" restaurant located in Central Park that serves hotdogs, and according to my grandma's cousins, the best orange juice ever. 

While the others were ordering food, my mom and went to use the bathroom. As we were walking towards the facilities, a women pushed passed us. At first, I thought nothing of it, but as I entered the bathroom, I saw that same lady walk into the only handicap stall. Now, I would not have been bothered by this -- if it was the only stall open -- but there were five other stalls open! I waited and waited for that lady to be finished with her business; a family with three children came in after me, all went to the bathroom and left before this lady finally came out of the handicap stall. When she did come out, she would not even look at me. At least, when I actually had the chance to enter the stall, there was plenty of room for both my mom and I. 

My dad, my grandma's cousin and I strolling through Central Park

After we ventured through Central Park, we decided to ride the bus down to South Ferry. There we would get on the Statin Island Ferry (which is free), and ride it across to Statin Island and back in order to take pictures of the Statue of Liberty. The busses are super accessible, and even though they are way slower than the subway, they go more places. On my very first bus ride in New York City, I was amused by the bus driver. He did not hook my chair down with any restraints, nor did he offer me a lap belt. This was totally cool with me, but the reason for my amusement is here in Bellingham, every bus driver takes the time to latch and secure all four restraints, and then on top of that, they ask me if I would like a lap belt; this is a huge contrast!

After about an average of five minutes per block, we did finally make it down to South Ferry. We entered the ferry terminal to find it swarming with people. As we walked though the turn style, the switchbacks and down all the ramps, I felt as if I was a part of a cattle heard being guided to the destination. We made it onto the ferry; the ride was cool and refreshing. We could see the Statue of Liberty, and took a ton of awesome pictures! When we reached the Statin Island terminal, we asked one of the ferry workers if we could just stay on the ferry, even though everyone was told to exit the boat. Since we were not venturing out onto the island, we did not want to fight the traffic, and to quickly navigate through an unknown ferry terminal. The ferry worker radioed his boss, and then told us that it would be fine if we hung out in the back of the boat, while passengers exited. The ride was so relaxing, and I loved getting as close as we could to the Statue of Liberty!

     Mom, Gina and I on the Statin Island Ferry

View from the ferry

After we crossed to Statin Island and back, we walked to Ground Zero. On the way there, we passed through Battery Park, and by the Wall Street Bowl, which were both featured in the Nicolas Cage movie, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, as well as Trinity Church, which can be viewed in the Nicolas Cage movie, National Treasure.     

Ground Zero

After we found Ground Zero, we walked to the nearest subway station that was listed (on the website) as being handicap accessible. However, when we arrived there, we found that the elevator was not broken, but blocked off due to all the construction being done in that area. My mom walked down the stairs to talk to the man in the information booth. He informed her that we should walk to the courthouse subway station, there we would find an all accessible entrance to get onto the subway. This was news to us, as the courthouse station is not listed on the website. After about an hour of wondering around, we called our family, and they suggested we hop on a bus to get to where we wanted to go. So, we rode the bus to the Empire State Building. 

Riding the bus takes a lot longer than taking the subway. This was not a problem earlier in the day, as we were not in a hurry. Unfortunately, this was not the case this time, as my sister wished to watch the sun set from the observation deck of the Empire State Building. We made it to the entrance of the building, just as the sun slipped behind the horizon. 

By this time, I really needed to use the bathroom. My sister and I were the only two in our party going up, but my mom still had to get checked to help me in the bathroom. The handicap bathroom was locked and separate from the rest of the of the toilets. An employee had to unlock the bathroom for me. 

When my sister and I went up, there were two elevators that we road in; Gina and I were the only two in the second. When I got out to the observation deck, I realized that the venture around the deck was going to be a tight squeeze. The deck was about four feet wide and cram packed with people. This made it a challenge to maneuver around. On top of the tight quarters, on more than half of the deck, there was a cement wall that was at least five feet tall. This made it impossible for me to view the city from those sides of the building. In one section of the building, I could view the city, but you can only look at that one section so long. I decided to go down an meet up with my parents, but my sister stayed to snap a ton of pictures in order to capture the beauty of the city.   

I took an elevator all the way down to the second floor, but from there, I was told to exit the building via the store elevator next door. I found the elevator, and took it down to the ground floor. When I found the exit to the street, I asked someone to open the doors for me. Then, I was loose on the streets of New York City; it was nighttime, and I was by myself. My parents were waiting for us in the bar; however, since I was not twenty-one, I could not just roll right in and find them. Even though my mom had texted to inform us her phone was going to die, I called her. Fortunately, I did end up reaching her, as my phone was going to die too! I enjoyed being able to venture out of the Empire State Building and being on the streets of the Big Apple on my own (though it was just for a short while)!

View from the Empire State

The city all lit up

Apple in the subway station