Monday, August 02, 2010

An Island Called Long*

*Thank you to Dan R. for the title

This past weekend Todd and I took off for a much needed get away on Long Island. It was the first time we've ever left the kids home alone and I feel it was a success because: a) they didn't kill or even maim each other; b) police and/or other emergency personnel services were never required; c) there were no arrests; d) the dog was still here and didn't appear to have suffered any; and e) the house looked much the same as it did when we left.

Our adventure started on Thursday, and I don't use the term "adventure" loosely. I've been to New York City several times since moving here four years ago and every time I'm there I declare I will NEVER drive in Manhattan. Well, guess what I did Thursday. I drove in Manhattan. From the Holland Tunnel, through Tribeca and China Town, and over the Williamsburg Bridge. I've driven in Los Angeles. I've driven in Dallas. I've driven in Philadelphia. Picnics, all, compared to the Big Apple. I would like to declare I will never drive in Manhattan EVER AGAIN. I just hope I really mean it this time.

Do you know what made driving in NYC worth it? After Todd and I got settled in the hotel we went down the street to TGIFriday's for an early dinner and I got carded! Oh yes I did! Todd even took a picture of the waiter looking at my ID, but it came out all fuzzy. So what if they have to card anyone who looks like they may possibly be younger than 75? There's just something about hearing those words, "May I please see some ID?" that thrills.

I kept telling people we were going to the Hamptons because it just sounds so chic. In reality we were just going to Long Island, but we did drive through the Hamptons on Friday. There is a two lane road that runs through the Hamptons to the tip of the South Fork where the Montauk lighthouse is. It took us a good two hours to go the 43 miles. I can say in all honesty that it was a beautiful drive and the weather couldn't have been any better. We stopped in the town of Montauk for a bite of lunch - the best fish and chips I've ever had, hands down.


And a good thing, too. For two orders of fish and chips, an iced tea and a beer we paid $55.00. While I'm sure the fish basically jumped from the ocean and into the fryer, I'm not sure that's a reasonable amount. Not only that, but I didn't even get carded!

After the gigging we took lunch we finished the drive to Montauk Point and the oldest lighthouse in the state of New York. I, of course, had Precious with me so there are pictures:






There were no sightings, and, therefore, no pictures, of a Montauk Monster. (Sorry Becky) But here's a photo I found on the internet to appease the curiousity of those who don't know what the Montauk Monster is.




From there we drove to Sag Harbor:











And then a pretty drive back to the hotel where we feasted on cheese and crackers (because we had spent our daily allowance on fish and chips) and watched free HBO.

Saturday was another gorgeous day and this time we drove up the North Fork to Orient Point and then slowly worked our way back. In a welcomed change from Friday, the traffic was minimal. Our goal had been to find lighthouses and maybe go through a winery. We saw one lighthouse in the distance and never decided on a winery to tour. But we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.

I know. I'll just show you some pictures.





We stopped in at this lavender farm and bought...





...lavender! Ahhhh, heaven!



Here we were in wine country and did we get any wine? No. I'm sure our wine clubbies (Or is that clubbists? Clubbers?) will be very disappointed with us.




The same Dan R. who inadvertently gave me the title of this post texted me and told me about Greenport. Happy I am that he did!





This, my friends, is a camera. Not nearly as convenient as Precious, that's for sure.




The Frisky Oyster. What does a frisky oyster look like, I wonder.





We were going to eat in Greenport, but the wait was horrendous. Apparently everybody wanted to hang out in the quaint village on a perfect Saturday afternoon. So we got back in the car and just decided we'd stop wherever we stopped.



Linen tablecloths, a beautiful view, a delicious seafood meal, a decadent dessert - all for less than fish and chips in the Hamptons.




As we made our way back to the hotel we found a place to sit and be mesmerized by the beautiful ocean -




- and we also found LOVE, which is kind of the point of a weekend getaway, isn't it?

Labels: fun, joy, love, photography, touristy, travel, vacation, weather, weekend plans

Mused by Jenster :: 10:08 PM :: 9 People musing:

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Monday, May 25, 2009

New York, New York

I have created a picture history of my day yesterday. I wasn't comfortable taking Precious with me and I don't have a small, pocket camera so I got all these pictures on-line.

First Katie and I had to drive through You-Know-Where. For some reason the car won't make the trek without a Venti White Chocolate Mocha of some kind. Weird, isn't it? I chose the iced version due to the blechy heat.



Jill (the GPS) and I had a failure to communicate and she took us some crazy way to Weehawken, but we got there in a decent amount of time so I'm not holding any hard feelings against her. Besides, Saturday I made a "Chick's Road Trip" playlist and we weren't in a huge rush so it was all good.

Finally we pulled into a parking spot at Port Imperial where we boarded a ferry for the eight minute ride across the Hudson.


This is what we saw when we got off the ferry.


No, not "On The Town". Wrong play. It was Fleet Week in New York City and there were Navy persons everywhere.

We hopped on the free bus to 8th Avenue and 42nd street and found our way to a hole in the wall deli for a light lunch of chicken noodle soup and a salad. From there we scoped out the theater, but with more than an hour to kill it was decided ice cream was a necessity. The streets were insanely crowded, but we would not be daunted. Pushing and winding our way through the masses of Times Square, an ice cream shop was located where we refreshed and fortified ourselves for the push and wind back to the theater.


The reason for a trip into Manhattan was to see "Guys and Dolls" on Broadway.





Sky Masterson was played by Craig Bierko, an actor you've probably seen around. For what it's worth, I enjoyed him much more than Marlon Brando in the movie.






Nathan Detroit was played by Oliver Platt who was Porthos in one of my favorite movies - The Three Musketeers (1993).




But the highlight for Katie and me was the part of Adelaide played by Lauren Graham, otherwise known as Lorelei Gilmore on The Gilmore Girls.






The play was delightful and Katie and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I do wish there was a Theater Etiquette Exam people had to pass before they were allowed inside, though. For example, if you resemble a door and you sit in front of a much less door-like person, please don't keep leaning this way and that. And if you are married to a door-like person, please don't rest your head on his shoulder and kiss him during the play when there is a person sitting behind you who is infinitely more interested in the action on the stage. Just sayin'.

Every time we go to Time Square Katie wants to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. So can you guess where we went after leaving the theater?


Because food is such a large part of our New York City experience we decided to split an appetizer of potato skins and Katie's favorite HRC dish, Twisted Macaroni and Cheese and Roasted Chicken. "Why did you split the meal?", you may be asking. Why, so we would still have room to split a piece of cheesecake from Maxie's, of course.


To decide on a piece of cheesecake I had Katie pick three and she chose Chocolate Marble, Oreo and Cookies & Cream. Next I chose two of the three - Oreo and Cookies & Cream. So Katie got to make the final pick. She chose Chocolate Marble. As usual, I forgot to take the picture with my phone until after we'd each gotten a taste.


I don't think she truly got the gist of the game, but whatever. We weren't able to finish the cold, creamy, chocolaty deliciousness, but we made a valiant effort.

Alas, the theater had been attended, Hard Rock Cafe had been frequented and Maxie's cheesecake had been consumed. We had accomplished everything we'd set out to so we headed back for home. By the time we got to the car it was nearly 9:00. There had been storms between our house and New York and we could see lightening in the distance. Thankfully we skirted the storms, but we did drive through a lot of patchy fog which slowed us down a little.

You may know that I love old cemeteries. There are some around here with tombstones dating back to the 1600's and I find them fascinating. During the day. Driving by dark and foggy cemeteries on a deserted country road, however? Not so much. This is the creepiest foggy cemetery picture I could find on-line, but it doesn't do the true creepiness factor justice.


We finally pulled into the garage around 11:00 last night. Now we can't wait to go back!

Labels: fun, theatre, touristy

Mused by Jenster :: 9:51 AM :: 12 People musing:

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Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Hotel Room

Tuesday I showed you the public areas of the Waldorf. Now here's a little tour of our room.





The towels were the softest, most plush towels I've ever used. And the pictures don't do the room justice. It really was beautiful and swanky and the last time I'll ever stay there...

Labels: photography, touristy

Mused by Jenster :: 7:37 AM :: 15 People musing:

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