Northern Exposure!

Just returned from a family vacation up north into the mysterious geography of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and ultimately Maine. For the first time in many many moons my wife and our two girls headed on a road trip to spend several days on the southern coast of Maine, a beautiful area which was very much as advertised. On the way I wanted to take a tour of New York City, a place I've personally never been and that actual tour was fantastic. A lifelong fan of King Kong, I've always had a hankering to see the Empire State Building and it was a blast to finally see the NYC skyline in its actual glory.

Despite all our plots and plans to the contrary we were sucked into the mammoth traffic, I still ended up having to drive in NYC, and it took the modern miracle of GPS to save us from wandering the confusing streets and avenues until we ran out of fuel. Despite this harrowing adventure we had a good time ultimately, though my wife has limited mobility and getting her around the streets was a significant chore for all of us. Thanks to the exceeding kindness of many New Yorkers, we were able to manage the bus and subway systems and find our way across downtown. We enjoyed especially a beautiful afternoon in Battery Park.

There was little or nothing in the way of comics interest save for two minor roadside attractions as we leaving the area. I actually saw a road sign to Derby, Connecticut (the location of the now defunct Charlton publishing empire) and would've diverted if I'd been alone. Also got a glimpse as we left New York and drifted into New Jersey of the Palisades Amusement Park, which I know from colorful ads in countless DC comics of yore. Aside from these two admittedly minor events, it was a weekend dedicated to the wants and desires of my wife and daughters.

Glad to be back though. Traveling is fun, but being home is better.

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