More from my travels on the east coast. Check out the adorable photo of a little boy I met in New York:
Welcome back. If you’ve kept up with the trial of Boston gangster Whitey Bulger on the internet, TV, radio and in print you know his history of racketeering, money laundering, murder and more. Whitey sat silent all during the trial but his lawyers Jay Carney and Hank Brennan tell me he really wants to talk! Although Jay will no longer represent Whitey, Hank will stay on and has recently filed an appeal.
I also visited with Whitey’s brother Jackie Bulger a couple of times during the proceedings about his brother’s health. Jackie has been seeing him every week at the Plymouth County jail and he says Whitey is doing well for an eighty-four year old and is anxious to tell his side of the story about the FBI and how it all worked. Outside the courthouse and in front of dozens of reporters, David Wheeler stated that the crooked cops were just as bad (or worse) as Whitey and unless I’m seeing things this story is not over yet. Jackie has my address and I’ll keep you up to speed on events.
After the sentencing business took me to Greenwich, CT and eight days of getting up every morning at 4:15 to catch the 5:22 Metro North train to New York City. Greenwich is the former home of Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel who was convicted of murdering Martha Moxley. Although the crime occurred when both Skakel and Moxley were fifteen years old, Skakel was only convicted eleven years ago at the age of forty-two. Just coincidentally, he was released on bail pending a new trial while I was there and the press was thick all over town. As for me, I was headed for a visit with Matt Lauer and I had the opportunity to speak with him on two occasions about another murder I thought he might be interested in. On my third visit the ever jolly Al Roker and Samantha Guthrie got involved and I’ve got to tell you they are as friendly in person as they appear on TV.
Here’s today’s tip: If you’re going to the show and want a good breakfast close by, eat where many of the Today Show staff do, across the street at “28 Scots”.
My adventures also took me to Times Square and the filming of the David Letterman Show. Although I was there for a reason, the show is free to attend and is quite fun.
Another fun thing to do that won’t cost you is the Staten Island ferry ride which provides regular service to and from Manhattan, giving riders an up close look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. With a small snack bar on board and views of the city like no other I’d gladly pay. The American Indian Museum is in the same neighborhood and admittance is free there as well.
If you are new to the city I would recommend the hop on/ hop off Grey Line double-decker bus tours which feature a guide who points out all the historic sites, the apartments of famous people and many other fun facts along the route. Sights such as Grant’s Tomb, the Dakota apartment building, Yankee Stadium and the Empire State building make this a must. The loop through Central Park is one of my favorites and at $59 for a 2 day pass you can’t beat it.
Another form of transportation I enjoy is the subway. With clean cars and maps that clearly show the routes, the subway will take you anywhere in the city much more cheaply than a cab and with far less hassle than driving a car.
Before I go I want to make one more note about the Metro North train I rode back and forth which is the cost. The fare was $12 round trip from Greenwich, CT to Grand Central Station in New York and back. Motels are also much cheaper outside of Manhattan where rooms run anywhere from $400 a night and up. The trains are clean and safe and every car has a restroom which is important because clean ones can be hard to find at times. As I’ve said before, I highly recommend a visit to NYC and with a little planning it can be very affordable. I always find the local people there mostly friendly and willing to help an old scout, tracker, translator and interpreter.
Coming up, with all the reports of great snow out west, I’ll be bringing you a report on the opening of ski season at Angel Fire and Red River New Mexico.
Till next time, if I’m not sleeping with the fishes, I’ll see ya down the road…..
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