Gloomy, rainy, weather followed us across the Pennsylvania Turnpike and into New Jersey. Trepidation loomed as we motored down I-78 to our destination, a Jersey City parking lot for RVs masquerading as an RV Park. One wrong turn and we’d be recreating scenes from the movie Vacation, or worse, navigating the streets of Manhattan in a 36-foot RV after paying a $68 toll for the privilege. Fortunately, we avoided those fates thanks to careful planning and lots of time studying Google Maps, satellite imagery, and street views. We encountered only one speed bump, a forced detour on the surface streets of Jersey City. Well, that one and the nine other real speed bumps we lurched over coming in the back door of the parking lot Liberty Harbor RV Park. The reward for our efforts: a sloped parking space between the high-rise buildings of Jersey City, a front row seat to the daily performance of the International Brotherhood of Tall Building Workers rendition of “Stomp: Jackhammer Edition,” 24-hour access to a “mouse/rat” infested bathroom and shower, and a distant view of the Statue of Liberty through the masts of sailboats moored in Liberty Harbor.

That’s Lady Liberty just over the car and between the light post and rear view mirror.

That big white tent is home to one of the America’s Cup teams. We watched them practice.

The real attraction of this little slice of heaven on the banks of the Hudson River is, of course, its proximity to New York City. A nine block walk to the Grove Street Path Station and $2.75 each will get you to the World Trade Center or Midtown Manhattan in a matter of minutes.

That means you are only minutes away from being accosted by street slicksters calling you “Big Daddy” and complimenting the smell of your wife as you emerge from your underground, human, habitrail. But I digress.

Spirits soared like the surrounding towers when the clouds briefly parted shortly after our arrival. Determined to make the most of what could be the only break in the weather during our stay, we quickly hopped on the Path Train to Midtown. The Path Conductor immediately identified us as tourists and asked where we were from. What gave us away? Was it the camera strapped to my belt loop? Was it that our colorful clothes glowed amidst the sea of gray and black that defines the NYC commuter? Maybe, but what surely gave us away is that we all looked happy to be there.

We disembarked at Christopher St. in the West Village.

Finding no Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, or even a Joey, on the streets of Greenwich Village, we took the red line subway to Columbus Circle to checkout Central Park.

We eventually ended up at the ultra-touristy Ellen’s Stardust Diner.

Situated on Broadway, Ellen staffs her diner with aspiring Broadway stars that sing while waiting tables.

That was fun, though my solo performance of “Where’s My Refill” fell on deaf ears.

After dinner, we worked our way south through Times Square toward the Empire State Building and the 33rd St. Path Station for a ride home.

Over our 5-day stay, we became adept NYC travelers. The kids perfected the dart around pedestrian smokers, the quick shuffle past malodors of unknown origin, and the polite, but firm, wedge through clueless crowds. We deliberately failed to master the unsanctioned crosswalk exodus.

We ventured to the WTC and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for a sobering remembrance of those troubling events.

On a happier note, we enjoyed two Broadway Musicals. No worries, I lost my man card long ago.

We indulged in some NY style pizza at John’s place, an old converted church.

Up before 5:00 am, the kids led us through the streets of Jersey City and ultimately to the outdoor set of the Today Show at Rockefeller Center where they made their TV debuts.

We lined the Today Show Plaza sporting a sign that read “Live Your Dreams Today.”

Al and Matt stopped by for a handshake.

Jane Krakowski performed part of her Broadway show “She Loves Me.”

That was a neat experience, but, after several hours standing out in the cold, a Chic-fil-A biscuit and coffee really hit the mark.

Yes, we finally did make it out to see Lady Liberty, departing from Liberty State Park next door to our RV Park.

A stroll around the base and a climb to the top of the pedestal afforded outstanding views.

Vive la liberté!