MIA....but I'm back!!

Phew.....don't even ask me where June went...and July is almost half over!! Crazy!!  Forgive me folks,  it's been while since my last blog.  It's been nutty busy, but the kids are in overnight camp this week (just try and wipe the smile from my face) so I have some time to catch up.

We wrapped up the school year in style this 2012.  Quite last minute we decided to go to NYC with the kids to show them the big apple.  And it was fantastic!

We have been to NYC together as a couple a few times and I had been several times prior on work assignments.  I have to say I never tire of that city.  It had been a while since our last visit so some things had changed but the pulse and excitement never fade.  We asked the kids to each make lists of their "must see" things and places.  We asked friends who had been there or lived there for advice on restaurants etc and that helped us set the agenda while still leaving room for being spontaneous.

We started by driving to Buffalo to fly out of that airport - the rates are ridiculously cheap and it allowed me my Target fix as well.

We landed and arrived at the hotel (The W at Times Square).....didn't really love this hotel but the location was convenient....I just found the hotel a bit too trendoid for my taste and the staff a tad pretentious....add to that the fact I'm convinced I was bitten by bedbugs, and let's just say it left me wanting!

Anyway, I digress......

Our first day we spent walking endlessly around just to see the sights.  In hindsight heading there on one of the hottest weekends wasn't the smartest idea.  But we managed.  We did adjust the schedule and took more breaks but still were able to see a ton.  Note that most of these photos I had to pull from "google image" after we lost our camera in the taxi ride....

Some highlights of the trip (and in my opinion not to be missed):

The World Trade Center Memorial Site.  www.911memorial.org/ We had to book tickets online (they are free but you need them because it is a timed admission).....at first I couldn't get them but it said check back frequently and eventually 4 tickets came available.

This was one place all 4 of us really wanted to go to.  And we weren't disappointed.  I must say that when it comes to making a memorial and a tribute, the US does it better than anyone.  Standing there looking at the infinity fountain set into the old foundations of the buildings was moving beyond belief.  Really a powerful and meaningful way to remember such a horrific event.   The museum was fantastic too and had video of survivors and relatives of survivors....needless to say I stood there with tears streaming down my face. 

Next up was Top of the Roc at Rockafeller Center....a friend recommended this instead of going up the top of the Empire State Building and we weren't disappointed.  You get 360 views and can then see the Empire State building...sorry, those pics are on the camera.

We rented bikes and headed into Central Park....a great way to spend the day and see the whole park.  We rode the entire way around it and took in the sites.  Cam loved the reservoir and the scenery and Luke got to go to his pick Strawberry Fields. 
Here he is at the John Lennon memorial mosaic.

My husbands fave spot was The High Line  http://www.thehighline.org/....an old freight train rail line that had been closed, slated for demoliton, saved and revamped as a park.  Only in New York could they make this work so well.  It is probably the best use of reclaimed space I have seen.  You climb 3 flights of stairs and walk along the park for more than 20 city blocks.  It is a great way to see the city from up high and you can stroll along not worrying about traffic or stop lights.  Genius!!  We walked from the north to south end and exited at Chelsea Market...another very cool spot to visit.

The other thing we were pointed towards was Brooklyn.  It is the new hip place to be and again we weren't disappointed.  Had a great Sunday Brunch with the cool kids in Williamsburg and then headed to the Brooklyn Flea. www.brooklynflea.com/ As you can imagine, it was heaven for me.  Tons of stalls set up selling vintage, hand made, reclaimed, food, collectables etc.  Really great place to shop and with a view of Manhattan across the water.

I could have bought lots of things but didn't know how I would fit them on the plane ride home....so instead I settled on a pendant made from an old magnifying glass and a pair of mugs.

....next time we may have to drive down to bring those purchases home!!

It was a really fun trip and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  It can be an overwhelming city so it's great to have a loose plan and some good recommends to steer you.

Wherever your summer vacay takes you, I hope you travel safe and have fun!