I successfully did it once. It was a pain in the _________ and took time, but it worked. So, if you otherwise get a really great shot that is also important to you, keep in mind that it can be done. I doubt that I would do it again, so I'll leave that little venture into post-processing up to you.
First off, you've tackled a very difficult subject; it stretches out forever, always has people around, and doesn't have a lot of colour. Well done.
And of course for us, it's a bit of an icon - that has been photographed only about twenty thousand times (by pros - not counting the rest of us). So we won't accept anything but the best.
I would have made my wife wait at the optometrist for a few minutes (she won't be reading this post). You're very kind and thoughtful.
As for the polarizer, I keep hoping that some genius will figure it out for PP.
Glenn