Too many days have passed since the last update. I sincerely apologize! Here is an update for the past few weeks including some visitor pictures.
Johnny flew into town toward the end of August for a weekend visit which entailed the spontaneous drive to New York City and also to Adirondack Park! The two extremes of life on Earth, the center of the world, and the middle of nowhere.
The trip to New York City was spontaneous, proven by the fact that the only camera we had was a $6 disposable camera whose flash didn't work - hence, no pictures. The few that came out were not bright enough for scanning. But here is a great photo of John getting his feet wet in a random stream in the beautiful wilderness. This is before "the fall" he had in that very stream! No worries, he's fine. John you'll have to put up your quote from the ride back to town when you said something to the effect of..."Jon, I have blood on my shirt and I wouldn't change a thing."
Then for my 27th birthday, Jess came up to Saratoga Springs for an action packed visit. We made it out to the Adirondack Park Extreme adventure "ropes course" where our grit and determination were tested. Some would say that some parts of the course were more fun than others =) right Jess? But there is no argument regarding the 100m zip line. We also made it out to the famous horse racing track here on Labor Day where we won $12.25 on $10 of bets. We came out ahead and quit betting!
Otherwise, the less exciting part of life at this time is work. We just changed from working normal 715am to 715pm hours to shift work. Right now I'm on the midnight shift for 9 days, so my schedule is backwards. It's a good thing I practiced for all those years! (some of you know I'm talking to you)
For now I have to run and move my car before it gets a parking ticket in front of my own house. I love this town! Best wishes!
3 comments:
glad to hear you're staying busy :) check your email- I have travel questions for you!
My comment on that afternoon went like this: "I'm wet, I'm tired, I'm HUNGRY, and I've got blood stains on my tee-shirt. But you know what? I wouldn't trade this experience for ANYTHING!"
Jon, thanks for putting me through all that. It's making me grow as a person ... getting me out of my "comfort zone". I absolutely love all the experiences I'm sharing with you!
Jon & John’s New York Adventure
Part I
Two weeks before Jon’s birthday, he and I are talking on the phone, catching up on the happenings of the week, when I happen to ask "What are your plans for your birthday?" He mentions that Jess is going to visit him on that weekend, but says he's free the previous weekend, and asks if I'd like to fly up to Saratoga Springs for a visit.
One quick phone call to my personal travel agent (my brother Richard), and I'm all set! The flight was supposed to be from San Antonio (depart 6 a.m.) to Cleveland, then to Albany (arrive 1:30 p.m.), and finally a short drive (20 miles) to Saratoga Springs, but I volunteered to give up my seat in Cleveland for a $300 travel voucher (for my next trip to visit Jon).
From Cleveland, I flew to Newark, only to encounter a two-an-a-half-hour layover. By the time I arrived in Albany, rented my car, and drove to Saratoga Springs (arriving at Jon's house at 8 p.m.), I had been up and about for 16 hours, and I was exhausted. My luggage, which arrived five hours earlier, was locked-up in a room at the airport, and there was nobody around to unlock the door. I would have to return the following morning to retrieve it.
Jon and I went to Brindisi's for dinner. I ordered my favorite dish: the tuna steak, seared rare. I was so tired from traveling all day long that I didn't even finish my meal --- something I never do! Afterwards, we went for a walk around town, then headed back to the house, where I literally collapsed from exhaustion, both physical and mental.
The next morning, I was not doing well at all. I didn't tell Jon, but the jet lag from the previous day had drained me of all energy. I awoke with a splitting headache, and I thought that for sure my weekend was ruined. As we were having our breakfast, I started to feel nauseated. I ate my breakfast --- oh, so slowly --- and took small sips of my Starbucks "venti of your strongest blend, and make it a Red-Eye (shot of espresso)." There was some small talk that took place, and I sensed that Jon knew I wasn’t doing well. And then, the caffeine kicked in.
All of a sudden, everything cleared up. I got this incredible burst of energy that I cannot describe. The sun seemed brighter, the colors, bolder. My lethargy disappeared, and I was ready to take on the weekend.
First item on the agenda was to retrieve my luggage from the airport. As we were driving to Albany, Jon asked if there was anything special I'd like to do. Not being familiar with upstate New York, I asked for suggestions, one of which was to spend the day in New York City. Would I like to spend a Saturday in New York City? What sort of question is that? OF COURSE! My motto happens to be “I’ve got money in the bank, and gas in the tank! Just GO!” So we retrieved my luggage, and off we went. It was a beautiful day, the top of Jon’s convertible was down, and the scenery was spectacular!
Three hours later, we arrived in The City --- The Hub of the Universe! The sights, the sounds, the smells --- I love it! Jon called one of his friends from high school, who lives in Brooklyn with his wife, to join us for dinner. The plans were to meet at Republic on Union Square at 7. This gave us a couple of hours to kill. We found a parking space by the Brooklyn Bridge, and hopped on a subway train. As we arrived, Union Square was hustling and bustling with activity. Vendors peddling their wares. Protesters voicing their opinions. Dancers performing their art. Readers immersed in their books. Lovers cuddling on park benches. And then there were us --- the Observers --- soaking up this Grand Spectacle. Have I mentioned how much I love New York City? Seven o’clock finally rolled around, and the dinner turned out to be, in one word, spectacular! Best Thai food I’ve ever tasted. The company was delightful, too. I loved meeting Jon’s friends --- Geoff and Niraly. They gave me more insight into who he is as a person, not that I need nor require any further proof!
After dinner, we parted ways with Jon’s friends, and then hopped on the subway train to get back to our car. During the ride on the subway car, I noticed two women staring at me. By the manner in which they resembled each other, they were probably a mother and her daughter. One rule in The City, or any big city, is to not make eye contact with anybody. So I looked away --- up, down, left, right, and back, drawing my gaze away from them. I glanced over to their direction again, only to notice them still staring --- but by now they’re smiling, being almost flirtatious! Again, I looked away, not knowing what to think of this situation. I also didn’t know if Jon was aware of this exchange. At that point, he mentioned to me “Those women keep staring at you. I think they want you!”
As we exited the subway station, our next stop was Ground Zero, where construction crews were hard at work building the new towers. I often recall my first trip to New York City, which included a trip to the observation deck of the South Tower. It was located on the roof, and anyone who visited it was literally on top of the world. I’ll never forget the view from up there. To see the footprints where these majestic buildings once stood boggles the mind. Sad memories are evoked from that recollection, but happy memories now that I’m back visiting with Jon.
From Ground Zero, we made our way to the southern tip of the island. After the hustle and bustle of the diners at Republic, the activity of the commuters on the subway, and all the commotion of the construction at Ground Zero, it was very quiet and serene there. All one could really hear was the water lapping upon the docks, and a ship‘s horn which sounded every once in a while. Close to us, there were two men fishing, casting their rods again and again and again. I think they were homeless, and probably fishing for their dinner. God, we are blessed! In the distance, the Statue of Liberty could be seen, and across from her, Ellis Island. I wonder what it must have been like for immigrants who traveled to this country a century ago to gaze upon these awesome sights, welcoming them to a new life in a strange world, with every opportunity afforded them.
From there, Jon took me to Battery Park a short distance away. He told me there was something special there that he wanted to show me. As we approached it, I noticed this hulking object upon a pedestal. It was The Globe which once stood in the plaza at the foot of the Twin Towers. Laden with dents, it serves as a memorial to all who perished on that day. An eternal flame burns at its base.
Then came time to head back home. Jon said he was well able to make the drive back to Saratoga Springs, but I thought of just getting a hotel room for the night. After all, how bad could it be to spend the night in New York City? So off we went, passing through one of the tunnels --- either the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel. As we emerged in New Jersey, there was a traffic jam like none I had EVER witnessed, all waiting to pay at the toll booth. The traffic was literally down to a snail’s pace, and it was nerve-wracking and hectic, to say the least. The burning truck on the road was the icing on the cake! We finally made it to the toll booth, and then hit the open road, where the traffic started moving. By four o’clock in the morning, we were home.
End of Part I
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