Tomorrow Robyn and I are off to New York City for Robyn’s birthday weekend! It is not her actual birthdate. That occurred in August. Consider it a belated celebration, although, as I recall, we also celebrated heartily on her real birth date.
We enjoy any excuse to celebrate together. And, why not?
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Originally, we had discussed a trip to London, a destination I’ve not visited. However, I quickly realized that a “jaunt across the pond” would be impractical. A long weekend meant we’d have to eliminate many “must-see” attractions in and around London. Also, even a barebones itinerary, such as I had been contemplating, would have required additional and expensive travel arrangements.
One final deal breaker for me was the English weather. In terms of the weather, mid-October in England might be even less dependable than our own notoriously undependable weather, except London can be counted on to be both cooler and damper. Indeed, this weekend’s weather forecast for London calls for a typical mix with the daily high temperature hovering around fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit.
Sadly, I’m forced to conclude that England is perhaps not the best choice for a “spur-of-the-moment” Fall getaway. Also, we’ll have plenty of opportunities right here at home to catch chill.
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Like London, New York City is an expensive weekend destination, but at least the weather is predicted to be mostly sunny with temperatures nearer seventy degrees. Of course, good weather and mild temperatures are welcome when you plan to sightsee on foot or via public transportation.
For fashionistas and foodies, New York City is the trendy choice, however, we’re merely out-of-town tourists, a couple of more yokels happy to take in the familiar tourist sites: riding the Staten Island Ferry around the Statue of Liberty and taking in the famous city skyline; catching a Broadway show; a leisurely spent morning at the MOMA; honoring the memory of the departed by visiting the 911 memorial and its museum; strolling through Central Park; gawking at the sights, smells and sounds of tawdry Times Square and Chinatown.
And then, there is the food. New York City lays claim as the birthplace of red-sauce Italian American cooking, and, of course, there is pizza by the slice. It has a vibrant Chinatown, home to the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere! And deli! You get the picture. America’s largest city should have a varied menu of deliciousness. It would be unconscionable to settle for pedestrian fast-food.
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The best part of traveling with Robyn is sharing her company, beginning later today. It feels as though the more time we spend together, the more we want to be together. It’s a good direction to be heading, I think.
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Coincidentally, I’ve just gotten off the phone with my friends Bob and Linda in Ohio. They are heading off on a family holiday this weekend, then a trip to the north country for Fall colors. And just yesterday, I spoke to Z in Arizona. I am informed that he and Joanne are headed here next week.
Seniors on the move! You gotta love it.
