Our 2019 USA Trip / Part 4 / New York Day 3

Saturday dawned rainy and windy.

We were meeting the daughter at the Tenement Museum for a tour but she came to escort us there as the subway gets a lot of maintenance done on weekends and the revised timetables put in place, to quote her, ‘ confuse the hell out of tourists’
The Tenement Museum is located at 97 and 103 Orchard Street in the Lower East Side neighbourhood of Manhattan.
These two historical tenement buildings were home to an estimated 15,000 people, from over 20 nations, between 1863 and 2011. The museum’s aim is to promote tolerance and historical perspective on the immigrant experience.
These days that is probably needed more than ever.

The building at 97 Orchard Street was contracted by Prussian-born immigrant Lukas Glockner in 1863 and was modified several times to conform with the city's developing housing laws. When first constructed, it contained 22 apartments and a basement level saloon. Modifications over the years included the installation of indoor plumbing (cold running water, two toilets per floor), an air shaft, and gas followed by electricity.
In 1935, rather than continuing to modify the building, the landlord evicted the residents, boarded the upper windows, and sealed the upper floors, leaving only the stoop-level and basement storefronts open for business.

No further changes were made until the Lower East Side Tenement Museum became involved with the building in 1988. As such, the building stands as a kind of time capsule, reflecting 19th and early 20th century living conditions and the changing notions of what constitutes acceptable housing.
We did the Hard Times tour which covered two families’ occupation of an apartment from the 1870s to the 1930s.
This was the recreated home of the Gumpertz family, whose primary breadwinner disappeared during the Panic of 1873, and the Baldizzi family, who persevered through the Great Depression.
An interesting ninety minutes and well worth the time.
We weren’t allowed to take pictures so a few have been ‘borrowed’ from the museum web site.

By lunch time the rain had gone and the sky began, thankfully, to clear.
We had booked a One World Observatory: Skip-All-the-Lines Ticket tour and bad weather wouldn’t be good for that.
We arrived at the marvellous World Trade Centre transport hub, and its central space, the $US4billion Oculus at Westfield World Trade Centre.

After some time at the memorial pools we bypassed the long queues, went through strict security and then entered the elevator (lift) for our 30 mph (48kmh) ride up 102 storeys in 47 seconds. On the way up you watch a virtual time-lapse showing how the New York City skyline has changed from the 1500’s to today.
Wow! Check your stomachs in at the door!

There was still some residual mist in the air but the 360°views were still pretty awesome.
I did the circuit a few times, took photos and videos, and we sat for a while with our complimentary drinks and took it all in.
A new NYC icon not to be missed.

Down to earth once more we headed for Tribeca and the Terrior wine bar for huge selection of wine by the glass and Italian tapas.
Then it was onto Bubby’s for good old fashioned American comfort food for dinner (supper).

Our 2019 USA Trip / Part 3 / The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters opened to the public in 1938. It is a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and is devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The building stands high on four acres within Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan overlooking the Hudson River.
This is a modern museum building and not a copy of any specific medieval structure. It is really an architectural jigsaw with its many parts made up of various European monasteries and other historic buildings eg. features relocated from four French medieval abbeys of Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem, Bonnefont and Trie.
There are also reconstructed medieval gardens dotted around the cloisters, one featuring plants used in medieval medicine, magic, ceremony and the arts,  

Our few photos do not do the exhibition justice. There are so many wonderful things to see and even our half day there just brushed the surface.
More information here and on the Met website.

Our 2019 USA Trip / Part 2 / New York Days 1-2

After a good night's sleep we were ready to meet the day, albeit a very foggy one.
We had breakfast at 12 Tables Cafe a Mediterranean restaurant we had found last time, just down the road from our hotel. The Greek omelette and strong coffee was just what the doctor ordered.
Then, after purchasing a weekly subway ticket, we headed down to South Ferry and the Staten Island ferry wharf for the return free 'cruise' to blow out the jet lag cobwebs. We could barely see the NYC skyline or Statue of Liberty through the fog.

At the Staten Island terminal a group of six African Americans (and one Caucasian base player) entertained waiting passengers by singing oldies but goodies eg. Under the Boardwalk in Capella.
Wonderful!
The trip back was clearer and we got some reasonable views of the NYC icons.

Too early for lunch so we decided to make the short ferry ride to the 172 acre Governors Island in the heart of New York Harbour. It had just opened a few days before and businesses were setting up for the summer season so this was again free.
The island has been used as a military installation from 1776 during the American Revolution. From 1783 to 1966, the island was a United States Army post, serving mainly as a training ground for troops and as a strategic defense point during wartime. The island then was a major United States Coast Guard installation until 1996. Following its decommissioning as a military base, it was sold to the public for a nominal sum in 2003, and opened for public use in 2005. It is now used by New Yorkers as open space.
We walked around the perimeter through trees heavy with blossom, across green playing fields, passed old stately homes and decaying army barracks and got some great views of Manhattan.
And it was here we first came across a business that wouldn't accept cash, only cards or electronic payments. This is becoming quite common in NYC. Using a foreign CC for a $US2 bottle of water is not the best economic way to go.

Then it was lunch time and some of Luke's lobster and crab rolls in FiDi.
After another afternoon nap, we met up with the daughter for drinks at Cocette and then pizza with Nicko at Rubirosa in Nolita washed down with a good bottle of Le Marche Verdicchio.
This was our second visit here. It didn't disappoint.
Next morning looked like rain so we canned our planned rail trip up the Hudson Valley and, after a bagel and coffee, took the long subway ride to northern Manhattan to The Met Cloisters
We had forgotten we were told it was quite a climb up to the museum but took it easy up the zigzag path stopping often to enjoy the quiet of the parkland.
The Cloisters is quite a place (see separate post).
Back downtown, the co driver visited what could be the smallest quilt shop in the world. On their recommendation we had lunch at a hole in the wall Mexican which was great.
After another afternoon nap we had drinks with the daughter and Nicko at the Petite Boucherie in the Village and then dinner at Snack Taverna in west village.
It was some of the best Greek food I had had in a long time and the wine selection, all from Greece of course, presented a bit of a challenge. However the waiter's recommendation was excellent.
So with that another successful day came to a close.

Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk / Part 3

The sculpture below was one of the standouts. It is made entirely of cutlery.

And our final two favourites

Sioux Fall Sculpture Walk / Part 2

Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk / Part 1

Every time we come to Sioux Falls we do ‘the walk’. It never disappoints.
This year was the 16th time the event has taken place.
Started in 2004, SculptureWalk is the largest and most recognized annual exhibit of public art sculptures in the USA. This year there are 59 works spread around the city with the main concentration along Phillips Ave.

Fagen Fighters WWII Museum / Granite Falls, Minnesota

Fagen Fighters WWII Museum is home to a pristine collection of fully operational, active aircraft and memorabilia from World War II. It is situated at Granite Falls Municipal Airport a few miles out of the city. If you like old military aircraft and a history of their use during WW11, this is the place to spend a few hours at. A beautifully organised and kept museum.

Selling Cattle

In the old days selling a few excess cattle by a hobby farmer was quite easy.
You found out the date of the local sale, called up a livestock transporter who delivered the cattle to the sale yard the day before and in a week or two you would get a cheque in the mail.
Then the regulators stepped in.
Each rural property over a certain size (it varies according to district) pays a levy to a government entity which delivers the frontline animal health service in the state, safeguarding agricultural production from the biosecurity risks posed by disease and pests. They also manage travelling stock reserves, stock movement and identification and assist with drought relief. In fact the levy was waived this year because of the drought conditions.
The levy is charged on a two-tier basis, involving a general rate paid by all landholders and a supplementary animal health rate for those with stock.
Each property is issued with a Property Identification Code (PIC).
Some time ago, regulations called for ear tags, later electronic versions, identifying the property of origin of the animal via the PIC to be attached to each one.
Any movement, whether it be to a sale yard or just down the road for pasture agistment, has to be accompanied by official paperwork.

This enables disease control and traceability of stock consigned for human consumption.
It is known as the NLIS or National Livestock Identification Scheme.
Ok…..a bit of a task for the hobby farmer but not too onerous a one.
But now the MLA, Meat and Livestock Australia, has appeared on the scene.
Their mission is “to foster the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat and livestock industry by investing in research and marketing activities.”
They want all red meat producers to be accredited to a Livestock Production Assurance program (LPA) which is an independently audited, on‐farm assurance program covering food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. It provides evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when transferring livestock through the value chain.
This involves seven study modules and an open book on line ‘exam’ (100% pass rate required) plus, of course, an application fee.
Producers can opt out of this step but it is made clear animals may not be accepted for sale or be subjected to lower than market prices if a vendor decides to do so.
So after a some delay and more than a little procrastination, I decided to go ahead with the process.
With so many long hours in aircraft during May/June it will be an opportune time to do the module work.
With the way climate change is developing, it may be necessary to reduce my small herd one day and the less hassle doing this the better.

Apples 🍎

Autumn is apple season and our supermarket has about 8 varieties to choose from.
The apple tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today. Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and were taken to the new world by colonists and immigrants
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various tastes and use, including cooking, eating raw and cider production.
Worldwide production of apples in 2017 was 83 million tonnes, with China accounting for nearly 50% of the total.
Australia produces around 300,000 tonnes a year with 75% going to the fresh market. The remainder is used for juicing and processing. Only a minimal amount is exported and just under 1000 tonnes are imported from New Zealand.

Australians on average eat around 8kg/year.
All states produce the fruit and because of the varying climate zones across the country the fresh apple season lasts from late January to late May.
Many varieties of the fruit are suitable for cold storage so apples are available all year.
The top five most popular apples in Australia are: Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Cripps Pink marketed as Pink Lady®, Fuji and Gala.
 A few old favourites are still available including Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Braeburn and Sundowner™. Some of the new apples emerging onto supermarket shelves that taste and look great include Jazz™, Bravo™, Kalei, Eve™, Modi™, Envy™, and Kanzi™ and Greenstar™.
I like Jazz™.
This is a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn. It was developed in New Zealand.
The original cross was made in 1985 on trees at Goddard Lane, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay and was launched commercially in April 2004.

It is hard and crisp but juicy. It reminds me of the Jonathan which we used to grow in our backyard as a child. We used to get these in our supermarket but they seem to have fallen out of favour these days.

The co driver likes Pink Lady® ie. Cripps Pink.

This apple was originally bred by John Cripps at the Western Australia Department of Agriculture by crossing the Australian apple Lady Williams with a Golden Delicious.
It has a sweet-tart flavour and a firm, crisp flesh.

It also cold stores for a long time without quality deterioration.
The green Granny Smith is popular world wide and originated in suburban Sydney, Australia in 1868. It is named after Maria Ann Smith, who propagated the cultivar from a chance seedling. The tree is thought to be a hybrid of Malus sylvestris, the European wild apple, with the North American apple Malus pumila as the polleniser.

To wax or not to wax, that is the question.
For a long time apples were waxed at the packing shed as washing the fruit during processing removed the natural waxy barrier. It was thought that this barrier improved the shelf life of the apples as well as making them look more appealing (pun not intended).
According to our industry representative body, APAL, "apples with wax may last longer at certain times of year or in certain climatic conditions or retail conditions, but it won't have a significant impact."
Our two major supermarkets say that the vast majority of customers (70%) want a natural product.
So since 2016 waxed apples have been phased out. They do look a bit different ie.dull not shiny, but there is definitely no discernible taste difference.
On a personal note I really dislike those small adhesive stickers the put on the individual fruit.
A quick trawl around the Internet showed I am not the only one. Here is an example.
So apart from being difficult to remove, they are yet just another piece of plastic ready to pollute our environment.
So to keep the doctor away, eat an apple a day (and keep your vaccinations up to date!).

Our 2019 USA Trip / Part 1

A few days before our departure overseas, we drove up to Sydney, parked at the airport, then took the short one hour flight with QANTAS to Port Macquarie to visit with our friend Stirls.
A few days later we returned and booked into our hotel just across from the international terminal.
We had a reasonable dinner in the terminal before hitting the sack to get ready for an early morning rise and check in.

Next morning the formalities were very quick so we had time for a quiet breakfast before boarding.

The flight from Sydney to Houston was uneventful and arrived an hour early.
Economy class was 100% full so we didn’t have the luxury of stretching out.
I read, did a little study for my Cattle Production Accreditation (don't ask!), caught up with four movies, ate some reasonable airline food and only slept for a little while.
After immigration and customs, which took nearly two hours, we handed over our bags at transfer and headed through security and found our gate for the New York flight. IAH is a huge airport with many terminals. A lot of walking if you can’t find the Skyway train.....which we couldn’t.

It is always a bemusing contrast between airport security in Australia and the USA where the former is efficient and thorough but laid back. I think the TSA should understand they are not herding animals. But after all these years of being "barked at" that is a forlorn hope.
Arrived on time in Newark where our car was waiting to take us into Manhattan and our hotel.
So 10,000 miles and 26 hours of travel later we were ready to relax.
Did that mean bed?
Nope!
A short walk down the street to the City Winery for a light supper and a few glasses of wine.
Now another USA adventure begins.

Port Macquarie/ Part 2

Day 3 of the trip was quilt shop day.
There were two in the area. The co driver was very impressed with the one in town, the other was out in the countryside, small and just ok. Minimal purchases made!
On the way back ‘home’, we stopped at NSW National Parks’s Sea Acres Rain Forest.
Here they have preserved a large tract of the original coastal sub tropical forest, 76ha, with access to part of it via a 1.3km board walk.

Here were some fascinating plants like the strangling fig, cabbage palms, bungalow palms and very tall trees of great age.

We didn’t see any wildlife but the area is well known for koalas, brush turkeys and reptiles such as pythons, monitor lizards and water dragons.
It was a couple of hours of interest for this lapsed horticulturalist.
We had a quiet afternoon, a nice seafood dinner and early to bed.
Next morning our flight to Sydney was delayed nearly two hours but we eventually made it to the airport hotel just after lunch.
It was time to psych ourselves up for the long trip to the USA the next morning.