This weekend, I drove down to RQS's place to drop off the large suitcase that I'll be taking with me on our upcoming cruise. And this gave us the ability to explore Lower Manhattan - specifically, visiting the SS Lilac, a US Lighthouse Tender that was in service from 1933 to 1972, then going to Ping's Seafood for some tasty Chinese food.
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When RQS mentioned that she wanted to visit the SS Lilac during OHNY weekend, I said OK. When she mentioned where the ship was docked, I knew I had to suggest a side trip:
Do you recognize this building? Well, the following numbers for the fictional business housed in this building are: 212-NO-GHOST, 212-JL5-1212, and 212-JL5-2368. Last I heard, you can call this number: 212-897-1964 for assistance. Just remember, they are ready to believe you!
The SS Lilac, a Coast Guard cutter is an old vessel, now making its home in NYC pier 25, welcoming visitors from Spring until Early Autumn. It was open to visitors for the recent Open House NYC weekend. (It is closed for the season, but I expect that it will be open to visitors next year when it is warm again.) It was very interesting seeing a 89 y/o vessel, as the core technologies used on the ship are very different from that would be used today. (When was the last time you saw a steam powered boat?) Like many vessels of its era, it is designed for people several inches shorter than I am, and I bumped my head getting out of the vessel's lower decks.
Once we were done with the Lilac, we were both too tired to walk across town to go to the Nom Wah Tea Parlor. So I hailed a cab, and $14 later, we were a block away from my favorite Dim Sum joint. Sadly, we didn't want to wait 45 minutes to start having a good meal. So it was around the block and down the street to Ping's, where I knew we could get some great Chinese vittles. Since I was no longer in the mood for a Dim Sum meal, I suggested that we order 2 appetizers and 2 main courses. RQS ordered the Hot Stone Pot Short Ribs, and I ordered a veggie and seafood dish NOT on the online menu. They were both great! RQS will follow me to any restaurant I now suggest.
More tomorrow....
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