New York City

On Saturday, Brooke, Lex and I dropped in on New York for a few days of fun (except for Brooke, who had to attend a pesky work conference).  Due to flight schedules, I arrived at Newark Airport about five hours ahead of the girls, so I took the train to our hotel and grabbed a quick nap.

(Our view from the 31st floor of the Trump SoHo Hotel - thanks Prudential!)

The girls arrived, dumped their stuff and we immediately set out to enjoy the city in 80 degrees and sunshine.  First up was Highline Park, an old train track route that has been revitalized into one of the city's most unique and visited parks.

 Afterward we enjoyed dinner at one of Brooke's favorite NY Indian food restaurants.

Then Sunday morning we got up early (kinda), jumped on the subway and made our way to Midtown for brunch

 Lex's friend, Guy, whom we met up with later, recommended this spot and it did not disappoint. This was the beginning of an amazing food tour lead by Guy that continued all week.

We continued uptown to Redeemer, a church associated with Brooke's in Portland, and sat in on a wonderful service, then made a beeline for Central Park. 

 Everyone was out enjoying the sun - there was a line of dozens of people just waiting to rent boats.

 Anyone surprised by Brooke hiking up a rock in a dress and flip flops?  No?

Later in the afternoon we met up with Guy, who had just arrived from Boston to hang out with us for a few days.  First stop on the tour was Rockefeller Center,

followed by a stroll down 5th Ave, around the Library, and through Bryant Park.

 For dinner we went to BLT, a delicious steakhouse.  Monday morning started with brunch at Norma's with Guy and a couple of his friends, who were utterly delightful.  He had to get some work done afterward, so Lex and I wondered around SoHo for a few hours.

We also hit up Century 21, a designer outlet department store, so packed that you could barely move - even on a Monday afternoon.  

 We finally got back to the hotel, cleaned up, shared an elevator ride with James Caan, then jumped in a taxi to Jean George for dinner.  There aren't words to describe this place - needless to say it was the most amazing restaurant I've ever been to.

I'm still dreaming about it.

Yum.

Anywho, while Brooke worked on Tuesday, Lex, Guy and I decided to go to the Guggenheim Museum. 

 Unfortunately, the part we all wanted to tour (below) was closed for an exhibit change.

 So I snapped a pic and we instead headed to the Met to enjoy the last 20 minutes they were open.

 Afterward we strolled down Madison Ave, and thanks to Guy, held our own macaroon tasting competition between a couple shops.

Lex and I differed on our favorites.

But I was right.

 Then we met up with Brooke for dinner and Guy got us into an amazing Italian restaurant on 5th Ave, then we made our way to Grand Central Station.

After Grand Central Station we returned to Bryant Park - completely lit up and packed with people lining it and enjoying night caps.  

 We said goodbye to Guy, then headed to check the last item off our NY list: frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity.

 Thanks to Allie Roth, I always carry Yahtzee with me when I travel.  This was the perfect occasion to bust it out.

As soon as those desserts hit the table we dove in. 

I call this one, "The Damage."

On Wednesday we packed up, checked out, and headed for the airport to fly home.  Which is exactly what the girls did.  I however, sat on the runway with my fellow flyers for two hours before we had to return to the gate for more fuel, got booted off the flight, was stranded at LaGuardia by US Airways, got a hotel, grabbed a flight on Thursday afternoon to Philly, sat on the runway for another hour and a half, barely made my connection in Philly, sat on the runway for an hour, then finally made it home about 22 hours late.

My view at LaGuardia airport for about 24 hours. 

PS, my last day at Vitera is next Friday!