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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Sunday, April 04, 2010

Busy Easter Weekend

I haven't been able to post much because I've been having too much fun, but I thought I'd take a few minutes now and catch you up.

FRIDAY

Mom and Dad and I drove to Weehawken, New Jersey, and took the ferry over to the Mid-Town pier in New York City. It was sunny and warm and the perfect day for a ride on the Hudson. So after we landed in Manhattan we walked to the building next door and took a 90-minute harbor cruise. The cruise was great. The tour guide was not. He spent more time telling us how he knew how to grab people's attention in the first two seconds than he did telling us the interesting stuff we were seeing.

The interesting stuff we were seeing:

The Brooklyn Bridge -
It took 13 years to build and was completed in 1883




Governor's Island -
Walt Disney was an AWOL prisoner on Governor's Island with a view of the Hudson and this is where he came up with the idea for Steamboat Willie




Helicopters -
A twenty minute tour of Manhattan is $200.00 per person




The Statue of Liberty -
An amazing thing to see in real life and something pictures don't quite capture




Ellis Island -
I sure would like to know which of my ancestors came through here



The Manhattan Skyline-
The Bronx is up and the Battery's down




And that concluded our tour. After that it was back to the cross-river ferry and then a pretty drive home. I had thought to go to our Good Friday service that night, but I was too pooped! Who knew sitting on a ferry could be so exhausting?

SATURDAY

I had to pick up a few groceries and thought that Mom should have the Wegman's experience.



For those of you who are not in the know, Wegman's is the Disneyland of grocery stores. I think Mom might have been more impressed by the market than the Statue of Liberty.

SUNDAY

This morning was a lovely, relaxing Easter morning. Todd and Taylor were working in the Valley Kids tech booth for all four services and Katie was helping with one of the kids' classes at the 11:00 service (we thought) so Mom and Dad and I went to the 12:30 service. After that we came home for a few minutes and then went to Washington House in Sellersville for Easter dinner.


<-Today (side view)


Late 19th-> Century (front view)



It's a 30-minute ride through bucolic rolling hills and the warm weather the past few days has caused the flowers and trees to blossom. If I hadn't been so hungry on the way there and so full and tired on the way home I would have wished it was more like an hour and 30 minutes away.

Yesterday Katie made a chocolate pudding pie and this morning I made a French apple pie. Our thought was that we would be too stuffed to eat dessert at the restaurant so we'd have dessert when we got home. Except I forgot that the Prefix dinner included dessert. The kids and I are off tomorrow so guess what we're having for breakfast. Apple pie!!! Guess what we're having for second breakfast. Chocolate pudding pie!!

Tomorrow is also my Weight Watchers weigh in day. I'm totally not feeling it.

Labels: holidays, weekend plans

Mused by Jenster :: 8:13 PM :: 7 People musing:

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