Mariner’s Church Fellowshippers group

October with Exploritas began for me with a big group for a six day stretch - and what a great time it was for all.

Before I met this group, however, and after my workout, I was having coffee on a bench outside a neighborhood coffee shop, when a neighbor seemed to be asking me:

"You say you're going to meet some people today?"

And, like him, I didn't have a clue really as to who they all were. It was my first job with Exploritas - formerly known as Elder Hostel, now changing its name to seem less restrictive, I think, even though it really wasn't before. Although I had had jobs that extended over a span of days before, this would be unique in my experience. I would be the coordinator on their visit to New York, over 5 plus days - morning to night! Their itinerary was designed by their leader, John Torrel and my boss Molly Goodrich of Explore New York, whose main business is Exploritas tours.

So, who are my people?

Here's the mob shot! Everyone lined up and eager - taking a break at the bottom of Battery Park City, at Robert F Wagner Junior Park, while we were on our bus tour on our first day. Some wore their red hats - but it wasn't so necessary then because we were all on the bus.

The red Explore New York hats help us all stay together when we trek around the city, so it could prove invaluable later on our tour.

The bus tour we did on Friday, which enabled us to have lunch at Grand Central Terminal.
All milling around - getting ready to snack or have lunch at the food court - Patti and JJ were happy to be in New York - and I as their guide smiled to the challenge. I have yet to meet all the others, however. So, we shall see.






Every morning we could see our favorite neighbor - the Empire State Building, just a couple of blocks down 34th Street at Fifth Avenue. Some had gone up that first night, but on Saturday, the day after our full city bus tour, we bussed over to Pier 83 to the Circle Line for a liesurely cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain. We should see some color in the trees - but first the cloudy morning kept most of us inside. Here Ken holds his seat, and his umbrella.

But our group wasn't the only ones on the boat - and the others were outside enjoying the fresh air.
But it certainly didn't look promising as we waited to cast off at the dock. Still, the cameras were out, and many still clicked away at targets for their scrap books:
And so we headed out onto the fjord of the Hudson River, Audrey sits with Jim and Debbie Sorenson, comfortable, knowing that good weather will follow.
There is, of course, a wind outside, and soon the Circle Line's guide reminds that this might be a good time for the "Titanic Moment." So, of course, there are candidates for that Oscar moment!
It's a happy time on the boat already!

We begin cruising up the river, without any major sights, although we did get the opportunity to see the shoreline as we passed Riverdale in the Bronx.

You can see how grey the day is for us. Would it stay this way?

Well, no it wouldn't!

We landed at Bear Mountain - and began the climb.





Of course, there were only about 28 of us, and the boat seemed pretty full - especially considering how drizzly and cloudy it seemed when we began. No one, however, was daunted. And, you know, I really didn't know what was up the hill. I looked back at the boat - and I see that Ken and his wife are on their way down the dock.

We all begin our walk up.

Hmm. We find a tent .... And that's not the half of it!

There's a Polka band up there!

And I didn't for some reason didn't take a picture of the long lines for the schnitzel and wurst, and beer in liter mugs, but you'll see the beer in the woman's hand above? That's a small mug!

So, some of the Mariners began by sitting, resting after their climb up the hill - while people already up there began their party in earnest. In the picture on the right, the girl on the left has one of the big mugs ($20, including the souvenir mug, and $7 for refills).

But our group did get in the swing of things:
And I don't think those are reluctant smiles either! Everyone had a great time. And, although it was a challenge for him, Jim Sorenson made his way up the long slope - and danced a two-step too!
It was such a great time it is almost hard to believe that that outing was just one day of the whole trip - and just the second day at that. But, not to rush, it became a beautiful day so that on our slow cruise back we all were able to luxuriate on the deck of the boat and relax in the cool sunny breeze.
That was Saturday. On Sunday we took the subway up to Harlem to have brunch at Maude's Spoonbread, and a little walk through Harlem. We walked at our own pace - and got stuck in the middle of Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard!
Notice all our red Explore New York hats! Very easy to keep this excited group together with them!

We walked down 139th Street and passed by the house of Nobel Sissel, a great Harlem musician - which house just happens to be owned now by our leader Molly! I neglected to whip out my camera (maybe JJ took a picture?), but Molly did give our group an idea of housing in a small part of the big city.

But we then went to Frederick Douglas Boulevard to catch a bus - and met up with some interesting people at the bus stop. One woman, who appeared to have been an olympic caliber swimmer at one time, regaled us with her adventures as we waited. All were mesmerized.
Once on the bus, which seemed a long time in coming, and was pretty full when it came so our 30 people certainly filled it up to the max, one 63 year old grandmother of 22 got up to give one of our group her seat - she was getting off soon, she said!