B A R R Y wrote:

- The pair go up the wrong river, possibly following one of the amphibs
that live up there.

Your first two points make sense, but IMO this is where your theory falls
apart. I highly doubt they accidentally went up the East River, given that
it is a legal VFR corridor and given that it is very apparent when flying
over NY harbor where Manhattan is and how the rivers surround the island.
Instead, I speculate that they purposely went up the East River to enjoy
the view from that side.

- Rather than fessing up and asking for clearance through the LGA space,
they attempt impossible turn

Most sight-seeing VFR traffic flying up the East River turn around and exit
back to the south. The turn is not an impossible turn, if given some
planning.

--
Peter