The New York Ren Faire

[fbhjr]

Yesterday morning we set off for the NY Ren Faire.


We had talked about getting up very early and going into NYC first as it is less than an hour away, and the folks we were meeting weren’t going to be at the faire until 1 or so.
But, we ended up sleeping late and leaving about 9.

Which gave us quite a reminder of why we only like to drive through CT early.


6 mile back up on a Saturday?
Yes.
We thought it was due to the traffic going from 3 lanes to 2.


But, it turned out to be these dancing construction trucks that kept changing lanes back and forth making it very difficult to pass.

The good news was they got off to go have lunch and we got past.

My wife did remark that we were making bad time when the portable outhouse truck could remain in front of us for more than an hour.

(Hey, I’m all about metrics. This is as good a way as any to measure moving in traffic. Pick a vehicle you won’t forget and see how it does compared to you.)

The good news in all of this as the state of New York has FINALLY build a direct transfer between interstate 84 and interstate 81!

You no longer have to get off, go through three traffic lights, and get back on to another highway that passes right over the first.

But, we were not done waiting in line.

We could have missed this line if I had seen the correct road for the faire. But, that last turn was the only one without a “FAIRE THIS WAY” sign. Once we passed it, I was sure we had gone too far, but turning around meant the line. Sad.
We were stuck behind the worlds slowest Sonata.

Every time traffic moved up, they were so slow to go that one or two cars cut in front of them. Even when we got to an intersection were you could only turn left, they hesitated.



We parked in the back of the 3rd lot. I have to admit I said, many times that day, “why couldn’t we have had just 1% of these people at our faire?”


It was a bit of a walk through the other lots, the woods, over the streams and to the gates.


But, we did get there.
We had bought out tickets on the web and went right in. This appears to be the only line we missed all day.

It was nice when we walked in to be greeted with bells.


There were a lot of people there.


I’m not so much on watching other acts. I prefer other things. So, I was very interested in the glass blowing demo.



We did eventually catch up with our friends.


We went to get some food and waited in line.


Then, we went to get something to drink and waited in line.


But, it was still nice to be there with our friends.

blue_micha gave me two cookies so I could join the toast.


We did go pick up another falchion so there are two sets in the troupe as they are very popular.

I had perrin_o_ravnos check the balance for me as he is far more discriminating at it than I am.


The only show my wife and I did go to was the Crimson Pirates.

I also picked up the CDs they came out with since the last time I was at this faire 5-6 years ago.
Of course I’ve always been a fan of sea songs.
(OK, not always. Since that guy who’s name I don’t remember came to sing them for my 3rd grade class in 1971...)

The others went to this show.


Despite the top hat, I had trouble finding them.


I don’t think it worked as well on me.


My wife did go to the psychic guild for a reading.


I can’t say I went to this show, but I watched it from the back while I waited for the parade to go past on the path.
But, he is a good performer.


I was impressed that after the horses in the parade they had people to take care of the gifts left behind.


When we were leaving we realized how lucky we were to have parked in lot 3. Lots of people didn’t get that much.
This is more than 1/2 mile from lot 3...


We did stop for dinner at a McDonald’s. I was somewhat worried when following the sign that said “to the right off of the highway” really meant 1 1/2 miles down into town on a different road. But, we found it.

We got home about 10. It was a long day with long lines. But, we still had a good time and were glad we went.

Comments

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

still don't miss it, but some cool photos. :D

(i used to live practically next door to Tux)