“Travel in the time of Covid” Quick trip to NY for my granddaughter Maddie’s belated birthday present. It is possible to drive up and back in one day from Boyds, MD. We have done it many times in the past but it is a tricky when you have time constraints. You never know what the traffic is going to be like and there is usually always a tie up somewhere so I don’t drive in the city anymore. I Prefer to park at Harmon Meadow which is a shopping complex in the Meadowland’s of Secaucus, NJ approximately six miles from NY City. 3 mi. From the Lincoln Tunnel. There are tons of upscale hotels, restaurants, shops. If you have the time it is very convenient to stay overnight. They know what the suburbanites want… Clean, comfortable upscale hotels, fast food and choice of top restaurants, safe free parking and easy access to the City.

We parked in Parking Lot B behind the LA Fitness Center and Outback Steakhouse and Courtyard by Marriott. It is free parking for “customers”. How do they know we didn’t spend the time working out, shopping and having a steak dinner? I think it is perfectly safe to park here and take a bus into the city for a reasonable length of time but certainly not late into the night or overnight. You will probably get towed. The safest place to park is probably at the Public parking at North Bergen park & ride, nearby. It seemed very safe, well lit and the bus stops right there. Catch the NJ Transit Bus Line#320 Stops in front of all the hotels and corners of the complex. Cost one way: Sr. $1 – 2. Adults: $2-4. It lets you off right in the theatre district Port Authority Drop Off, 326 West 40th Street, Manhattan

Those of you who have taken my workshops know that I love to “plan” an itinerary. So that is what I did for this little one day trip. Time is of the essence when you are trying to make a show. In this case it was “Girl from the North Country” at the lovely Belasco Theatre 111 West 44th street. We had just enough time to grab a bite at John’s Pizza right on 44th Street. The restaurant and the theatre required proof of vaccination and mask. The pizza and antipasto salad was great. NY still makes the best pizza. After the show time to stop off at Carlo’s Bake Shop grab an eclair, lobster tail, cannoli and a coffee. We also grabbed a couple of dumplings from a street vendor and nabbed an I Love NY t-shirt for a souvenir. It was exhilarating to be “out” again among people. Most everyone surprisingly wore mask. We never took ours off except for a quick picture. The food and the NY vibe was excellent but sadly, I can not recommend the show. There were some very lovely performers with great voices but they couldn’t make up for the presentation. It was too slow, too depressing (we don’t need anymore downers) glorious Bob Dylan music completely repressed and redressed into something strange. I don’t attend much live music performances these days but I was kind of looking forward to hearing the familiar Dylan tunes. I was disappointed by the interpretation of the music which morphed down to the dismal level of the story line. Even the uplifting song written by Dylan but made famous by Joan Baez was so depressing. How can that be?

I hope this pandemic will soon die out and we can all stay forever young at heart.

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

Bob Dylan