1. As you may know, I've started a YouTube Channel also called Adventures for Anyone, and I tend to post five videos a week. They are not a certain theme. You never know what I might come up with. I don't like to be on camera, so you won't see much of me. I wish I was more of a personality.
That being said; I have been traveling a bit and there might be some things on there that spark or inspire you to travel on your own, so check it out. I do a lot of local traveling. I let you know when there's something important going on in my area or an area I'm traveling to. Could be important.
I also am still posting a video here and there from last fall's travel to Porto, Portugal and our recent trip to Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Stockholm, Sweden. It's summer here, so I'm visiting New York City a lot and taking a lot of trips along the shore. Once in a while I'll be in the mountains, so I mix it up a bit.
I appreciate any attention the channel gets, and would love it if you could check it out; like and subscribe; comment and share; and hope you enjoy it. It's becoming a lot of fun for me and I like to share.
https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466
2. OMNY. What is it, you ask? That's the new system for the New York City Metro System. That's right, welcome to the news portion of our post.
Is it in a test phase? No, it's completely operational. Are there problems? Maybe. There are a lot of complaints, but there aren't any definite answers on whether it's system related or operator issues.
It's new folks. Most of the countries I've been visiting lately in Europe have something similar. For anyone who thinks it's a disaster; it will work. It works in other countries. Here's the deal. Instead of a moldy old metro card, you can get a shiny tappable new metro card. It will be called an OMNY card. For anyone who chooses to stick with a preloadable card, there won't be much difference. Read the rules on the machine. If you use cash, it will only give back up to $9.95 in change in the denominations available in the machine at the time. You will also be able to buy one with a variety of cards and digital wallet options.
The main thing that I'm getting is that you can use your tappable credit or debit card as well. I didn't try it when I was there yesterday, because I have lingering monies on old metro cards, but I will try it soon. The way I took what I read was that you can tap your card and it will work. They say give it a minute the first time, so it can link up with your credit card company and/or bank. After that, it should be quick and easy to just tap.
There are some considerations when tapping with your credit card. First, always use the same card. This will allow the system to work with you. If you go from metro to bus or other system, your transfer will be free as long as you always use the same card. Just make sure you transfer within two hours of the first tap, and the system will follow. This should work on many things, Staten Island Rail, Roosevelt Island Tram, and the Air Train at JFK as well as buses and things.
There are a couple other things that I read about the system. First, always use the same card. Can't emphasize this enough. There will no longer be week passes with this system. As long as you use the same card, it will not charge you more than $34 a week. Always use the same card. You also can use it to pay for up to four people at a time. No more than that.
Will there be some problems? Sure, but change always has some glitches. Just be patient and give it a try. Metro cards will still work until the end of the year, but make that change now and get used to all things new.
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/tap-and-go
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/reduced-fare/omny
https://www.nyc.gov/site/fairfares/OMNY/omny.page
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZHkn788ZQJOMuW3uTQpDVWW4aXeKB1EW
3. The Staten Island Ferry. I hear Scarlet Johansen owns one, and what a hoot that must be. No matter how you look at it, there's only one ride like it in the world. And some people take that ride twice a day to commute to and from work. However, as tourists, we love the ride.
First and foremost, the Staten Island Ferry is free and runs every half hour. When you arrive as a tourist, you stand out like a sore thumb to the scammers and they'll try to sell you discounted tickets. Total scam and everyone should know that. The ferry is free.
But, if you're visiting the city, it's something that I highly recommend. There's a few things to do on Staten Island, and you do have to exit the ferry when you arrive. There's a farm league ball team close to the terminal. There's a collection of stores and restaurants right next door. If you do nothing else, that will give you a taste of the lengths these folks have gone to in order to welcome visitors. The view of the rest of New York City is amazing as well. Then, you can always catch the ferry back. It's free and runs every half hour. Free. Can't emphasize that enough in a very expensive city.
Here's the other great thing about this trip. It's easy to get to, easy to find, and easy to take. South Ferry is the last stop on the red 1 line subway at the southern tip of Manhattan. You exit the terminal and walk right into the ferry terminal. It's nearly impossible to get lost as long as you board the subway toward South Ferry and every subway stop will tell you that. The ferry terminal has restrooms, snacks, drinks and air conditioning that can make a huge difference in the middle of summer. The ferry is set up for you to sit outside and watch the world in the famous harbor go by if you like. You get cool views of the Statue of Liberty. You get to see Governor's Island, the working harbor and so much more. It's a great sightseeing trip.
Lastly, if you like a good boat ride, they've got you covered. I go on it once in a while just for the ride. Just remember, it's not for tourists, but they are used to having tourists along for the ride. It's there for transport, not luxury.
https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/ferrybus/siferryschedule.shtml
https://www.exp1.com/blog/new-yorks-most-famous-ferry/
https://www.nyctourism.com/new-york/staten-island/
4. Light House Tours From New London, Connecticut. This is a great way to spend an afternoon, and I do it once in a while. The company that runs the ferry from New London to Orient Point, Long Island operates lighthouse tours in the summer. They have a variety of tours. You can take the classic lighthouse tour as I normally do. It goes from New London to Orient Point and back stopping to look at all the lighthouses along the way. It's a great ride and they tell good stories too.
They also have a lights and sights tour that goes more along the shore and toward Newport, Rhode Island. Also lighthouses and different ones from the other tour, but some unique additional sights along the way. This tour and the classic tour normally alternate days. Tour number three is a sunset tour and I hear it's lovely, but have never gone on that one.
Most tours take between 2 and 3 hours, and are a lot of fun. If you get seasick, take Dramamine. There are snacks and drinks available on the boats, and there are restrooms available. There's a lot of outdoor seating so you can get a good view of the lighthouses, so take a seat and relax. The captain will always turn the boat around so everyone on all sides of the boat get a chance to see each and every lighthouse.
It's a lot of fun, and don't worry if you didn't purchase you ticket online in advance. Arrive early, and there will probably still be space. If you want to make sure though, purchase your tickets in advance online.
https://www.lighthouse.cruises/
https://ctvisit.com/listings/cross-sound-ferry-lighthouse-cruise
https://www.visitconnecticut.com/state/connecticut-lighthouses/
https://www.nlmaritimesociety.org/lighthouse-stewardship.html
5. The Sheffield Island Light Tour. This one is a great little tour out of Norwalk, CT. They go Wednesday through Sunday in season. They also have special events throughout the season. This is a quick trip from dock to island and the trip takes a whopping 3 hours.
While on the trip you get the opportunity to tour the inside of the lighthouse, where the owners and their family used to live. It's now a museum and the island is a nature reserve. This is a great place to bring a picnic, take a walk or just enjoy the water, the island, the animals and birds, and the view. The staff is also great, and they will make sure you have a good time.
If you take the train to South Norwalk, the dock is a short walk too. So you don't have to drive if you don't want to. Once again, it's a great way to spend some time along the water in the summer. Do purchase your tickets ahead of time. It's a small boat and can sell out. I purchased my tickets on Eventbrite.
https://www.seaport.org/tickets-and-prices
https://ctvisit.com/listings/sheffield-island-lighthouse-and-harbor-tour
https://ctvisit.com/events/2025-cruise-and-tour-greens-ledge-sheffield-island-lighthouse
There you have it. I do a lot of running around during the summer, and I love the activities so much that I do many of them again and again. Keep reading to find out more about some of my favorite activities as the summer goes along. Just remember, there are great things to do, no matter what you like, just always keep exploring and enjoy!
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