We flew in Wednesday night, May 14th, to Newark and stayed in an airport hotel. Early Thursday morning we were off to the big apple! We dropped our luggage off at the Waldorf Astoria (that's right, we stayed at the Waldorf Astoria...I know you are all jealous!) which was absolutely beautiful. I don't believe I will ever be that spoiled again. Next we went to Norma's for the most fantastic breakfast. Why don't they make fresh squeezed orange juice that tastes like that in Utah?? How hard can it be?
We spent the rest of the afternoon split up...us "tourists" went on a double decker bus tour while the "seasoned New Yorkers" went shopping. Mom, Grandma, Laci and I saw the city from the upper deck of the bus...Times Square, the Empire State building, Madison Square Garden (which I never realized is round), Trinity church, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, United Nations, and various cool buildings. We ended up back near Central Park, and then went to eat at a yummy deli. Thursday night was occupied with my favorite activity of the trip...Wicked!! Yes, I came and I saw. What a fantastic show. I had chills all the way through the first half and I think I cried all the way through the second half...mostly because it was ending. I have to see it again in SLC...it's just that simple.
This is Ashlie, Randi, Shawn and Nancy and the cute little restaurant we ate at after Wicked.
Friday we woke up to torrential rain pour. What do you do when it rains all day? Buck up, get an umbrella, and go shopping on Canal Street! All of us eventually found the purses and things we were looking for. We ate lunch at a great little place in Chinatown. After walking a lot in the rain, we had to go dry off and get ready to see Legally Blonde on Broadway. I have to say that I was not uber thrilled to see this show...I truly would have picked something else. I can honestly say that I was pleasantly shocked. It was fantastic!! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
This is Ash...using those long hot legs of hers to hail us a cab after sushi...unfair advantage, Ash.
Saturday we went to Dean and Deluca for breakfast, a really cool bakery & grocer. Here is Ashlie enjoying her $10 mini chocolate cappucino cup.
We spent the rest of the morning shopping around SoHo, then a few of us went to Ground Zero. What an eerie feeling. It has been almost 7 years and it is still just a giant construction site. I never realized that the fire station was right across the street. It made me really emotional being there.
We then met up with the other girls and went for dessert at Serendipity 3. Here is Laci and I with our Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. YUMMMM...
We walked back to our hotel, stopping at St. Patrick's Cathedral for a look around as well as Rockefeller Center. We wanted to go into Tiffany & Co., but it was closed. We were there, though...Laci, Shawn, Mom, Ashlie and me posing for a photo op...
That night we took the subway to Brooklyn and went to Grimaldi's for the best pizza I have ever tasted. Damn New Yorkers, anyway...have to tease us with awesome pizza that we can't get in Utah...I love pizza. This is Mom, Laci and I by the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline in the background. (Don't you love my cute new jacket?? It allows for the lovely pregnant bump that decided to appear on this trip!)
This is Laci's "legally blonde" moment, with her new pink high heels and new pink hat. Ohmigod, you guys!! (that is the opening song from the musical, for you uneducated people...)
Sunday morning we went ot the Upper West side and ate at the divinely delicious Cafe Lalo, which was featured in the movie "You've got Mail". Here's the "cousins" - Ash, Randi, me, Laci, Shawn and Whitney.
We only spent a short time in Central Park, due to the fact that it started raining again. Here are the Reese girls in front of the fountain.
On the way out of Central Park, we found out some devastating news about my uncle Dave, my dad's brother. He passed away suddenly at the young age of 46. We can be thankful that we were still all together when we got the news (we were minutes away from hailing cabs and splitting up for the afternoon). We were able to support each other and support my grandma. We stopped in St. Patrick's Cathedral again for my grandma to say a prayer and light a candle. We were drenched from the rain, so we went back to the hotel and soaked our feet in the tub, talking about Dave and reminiscing about his life. It still doesn't seem real.
The strength my grandma showed was inspiring. She was determined to make the most of our last night in New York, so we went to Mama Mexico for dinner and then took a cab to Greenwich Village to Magnolia Bakery for some cupcakes. On the way back to the hotel, Laci and my mom and I took a detour and went to the "Top of the Rock", the top of the Rockefeller Center, for a last view of the city. We caught the very last bit of the sunset. It was oddly peaceful up there.
Monday morning was a very early rise to get to the airport. When we flew into the airport, we had an emotional greeting. My grandpa and my uncles were there, along with Brandon, who had flown in early from Phoenix to be with the family. He was very close to Dave.
I was able to spend 5 days last week with my family in Logan, which is why I haven't posted about my trip until now. Dave's funeral was on Friday. He was a well loved man and touched so many people's lives. My thoughts are with his kids and my sweet grandma in the tough times ahead. I already miss his twinkling eyes and great big bear hugs. I love you, Dave!
1 comment:
your trip sounds awesome!! glad you had a good time, despite the sad news at the end.
Post a Comment