Homeward Bound - OK Home, but part I

I started this on Sunday while waiting to leave. Got in late Sunday and
Monday is a blur...so now it is way too early Tuesday and so going to post this
first part...part II to arrive in the coming days...

What a week this has been. Began it by coming off a relaxing holiday weekend and plunged into a Monday that was just a tad on the insane side. Knew it would be as I was leaving the next morning for New York City with a group. Finally got home and got packed and slept pretty soundly. Did not get to finish trimming the tree but there is always this week to be sure. I got to have a brief staff meeting and tried to get things in order. You never know if it will all go right, but hope for the best.

Tuesday had me off to the airport and it was still having the lingering rush feel of the holiday weekend. I was glad my check-in went smoothly and boarded the plane. Due to the holiday it was a packed flight and within the 16 seats multiple seat changes occurred. I was laughing at one point as one lady was just in a tiff over not sitting with her husband. Finally two people behind me agreed to give up their seats and what proved amazing was that after we took off it was discovered that they had kids in back and they were trading off to get free drinks! Could not believe it and the husband was furious when the flight attendant cut them off. Well, I enjoyed watching "Big" and "Miracle on 34th Street" on the way out so I think I will be reading and napping on the way home.

Upon arrival, Lars & Anita joined me at baggage claim for what would be our first "adventure" of the trip. Greeted by our driver, Damon, he went out to get the car and bring it around. After 20 minutes or so the bags began to arrive...and we waited...and we waited...finally Lars bag came and then Anita's bag. Where is mine? It was now a good 45 minutes and most everyone was gone. OY! How can you lose a bag on a non-stop flight? Well, close, how about it being the last bag on the conveyor belt and stuck midway up?!?!? Was able to find a gentleman who helped me get it and we were finally on our way into Manhattan. Oh good, just in time for rush hour. But Damon was an amazing driver and knew the ropes of keeping moving forward. A seamless drive. A friend of Anita and Lars arranged the driver for us and it was such a treat. A handsome man with a velvet voice which was calming to be sure. Without a blink of an eye we were soon heading down 34th Street right past Macy's! But then he turn left, and going north when we should go south. Being the guest, I opted to keep my mouth closed. Another turn and soon he was stopping the car and announcing we were "here" at the Comfort Inn. Indeed it was, but the wrong one. Someone had told him the one on 35th but we were staying at the one on 25th. So off we go and soon arrive at the Chelsea Comfort inn.

We checked in without a problem...OK, so they did change my room since I was to have a king bed and they had me in a double twin. But we dropped our bags and freshened up a bit and headed off around the corner to 26th Street to try out Hill Country which is rated the top BBQ joint in the city. Yes, we had come to NYC to have our first meal be good old fashion BBQ. So you walk in and they seat you and give you a "ticket" and you use this to buy everything. A person comes by and gets your drink order and then you go up and order at one counter what meat item you want. In this case we all went with moist brisket. It was wonderful. I also got a sausage link, but it was mealy and not something to write home about. But the side dishes you get at the next counter - OH MAMA! Green Bean Casserole w/ Durkee Onions, Sweet Potato Bourbon Mash, White Shoepeg Corn Pudding, Confetti Cole Slaw, Longhorn Mac & Cheese, Cool as a Cucumber Salad were all exceptional...ok so the mash was forgettable, but boy were we full. We all shared the sides and there just was no room to try the PB&J Cupcakes. If you ever get to town you need to look them up at 30 West 26th Street and there is a full bar with live music downstairs to boot!

The next day had me getting email caught up and calls made. Then it was off to Grand Central Terminal! What a treat to go back there. Ventured into the Transit Museum and got the 7 day transit passes and even got a few souvenirs for people. Since it was lunchtime and I was right there, I decided to enjoy a lunch of clam chowder and fresh oysters at the Oyster Bar on the lower level of the terminal. After a nice bowl of thick New England style chowder I was presents a dozen oysters consisting of 4 Pemaquid out of Maine, 4 Stoney Brook out of Long Island, NY and finally 4 of my favorite - Kumamotos out of Humbolt County in California. mind you, they offer at least 30 kinds of oysters every day! Amazing to be sure. I enjoyed it with simple tap water because you need to know one thing, NYC tap water tastes pretty damn good! I will have it all the time while here and not pay for bottled, why waste the money? After lunch I went back up to the great room to take in the laser light show. During the holidays they run a series of 6 different shows, one on the top and bottom of the hour. Well, I saw one as I went in and another as I left. On the way out I took in the Christmas Market. Quite lovely. There was a long cue for taxi's and so I crossed the street and got one going the other way straight away. Oh to learn the tricks of living here. Could not believe that after living here for over 5 years and then add in the 8 trips since then it is so much more fun to visit the city than to live here.

The group began to arrive mid-day and by nightfall we had everyone buy three here. Off to Tavern of the Green to enjoy our welcome dinner. It was especially meaningful at the restaurant closes at the end of the year due to a decision on the part of the Parks Department to give the lease to another vendor this fall when it came up for renewal. So after 35 years in business December 31st will be their last day. The first to arrive was Lars, Anita, Bruce and Lynn and they went shopping buying multiple copies of the restaurant's cookbook. They were feeling quite smug and I was laughing to myself right then as they had no idea that on each seat was waiting a copy of the very cookbook as a token of the remembering the trip. Too funny, but in the end they had gotten a start on their shopping for others. We began the meal with an appetizer of mushroom stuffed ravioli's with a virgin olive oil drizzle and walnuts. Then there was a choice of Chilean Sea Bass or Fillet Mignon. Both were served with steamed green beans and carrots and roasted potatoes. Final course was a lovely lemon tart with a whole blueberry sauce on top. Coffee and tea were served, but most passed. So glad I do not have that problem with caffeine. I can drink right up to bedtime and still sleep.

Back to the hotel in the dripping rain, who knew that this was going to be an on and off week for weather! Thursday morning would prove to be a beautiful day to get things going. We stayed in a hotel that offered a nice breakfast - nothing fancy - but got you off to a good start with juice, fresh fruit, cereals as well as a variety of breads, muffins and bagels. They even offered hard boiled eggs. Coffee and tea are always available. Several people were up early and headed different directions so that they could all be at Radio City Music Hall in time for the 11am Christmas Spectacular show. Not a lot different in the two years other than they mixed up the opening sequence a bit and in the end the nativity is done much more simple, although still complete with animals, etc. They used to have a multi-tiered set with rock outcrops and all which is gone. It was stunning, but may have proven difficult. It is now flat.

Time to head to the airport...