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Our family took the trip with Breanna back east to Connecticut.
She would participate in the Miss Teen America Program. She
along with other U.S. State Delegates, would all vie for the title
of Miss Jr. Teen America 2006. On the way to SeaTac Airport,
just a few miles from our home, was a black suburban truck
that cut in front of us as we neared the 1-5 on ramp.

We flew to Newark, NJ for Breanna's $7500 award from Dr.
Vocaturo's Cosmetic Dental Practice which she won as the
Washington State Queen. (Which turned out to be a complete
waste of time and money as they said to do veneers, we would
have to return in 3 weeks, they couldn't bleach her teeth
because of the two calcium deposits on her front teeth, and the
bonding they were going to do from the pictures we sent
them, they decided not to for some reason.)

Nonetheless we saw Manhattan, ate Joe's and Ray's pizza (Joe's
was better in Jersey), drove through the city streets (crazy),
saw ground zero, took a 90 minute boat tour learing the
history of our ancestors and the Statue of Liberty. (AWESOME)
We drove 2 hours looking for Ray's (thanks Nad!) and when
we finally happened upon it, it was right there in time square!
Had the MTV VMA's (video music awards) not been going on
at that exact hour we were down in TS, the driving time would
have been much less. Didn't matter...we loved it, well, Amanda
and I loved it. We could both live there. The other thing we
missed was Central Park. We had reservations in Windsor
Locks, Ct at the Sheraton Hotel @ Bradley International Airport
where the national pageant was being hosted. The 125 mile trip
would be abour 2 - 2.5 hours according to Google maps. NOT!
It took us about 5 hours to travel that distance. At one point,
there was a 20 mile back up. Seattle....count our blessings!
There's no way we are the most congested city in the nation.

Breanna was ill from the boat ride, but felt icky prior to that.
She was a trooper and let Amanda, Pat and I enjoy our day on
the Hudson River.

The one thing I personally wished to do was to either go to a
Yankees game, touch or see the stadium. Didn't happen, but I
did wear my NY jersey that my dad got me when he went
back there for a trip to Boston.

AMANDA AND I LOVED NEW YORK AND WILL RETURN!