Part two of a Tuesday ... dinner at Beauty and Essex, a very eclectic restaurant that is strangely hidden behind/inside a pawn shop. To my dissapointment, the ruby slippers to get me back to Kansas were sold. *wink* A little more walking thru the city and then off to a bar for cocktails, new friends and beyond.
Oh New York... you have so much goodness to offer. Everywhere I look is a photo looking back at me. I don't know if I would ever tire of photographing this city. Spent the morning on the jobsite. And since it wasn't quite ready that meant I had a free afternoon to roam the city! I had lunch at the Loretta Howard art gallery with my client who's friend was showing some beautiful paintings. We sat and chatted with the artist and gallery owner - she even gave me a book from her personal collection! Devil in the White City - can you believe I've never read that book? (Well if you know me, yes... but seriously I really should read it!) Such a lovely and unique experience!
Since the gallery is right on the High Line, I decided to walk along and enjoy the elevated view. What a cool project! And there were a lot of people walking, sitting and chatting, kids playing in the water features - a fantastic public space! I might have enjoyed it a little bit more... but it was 100 degrees and 100% humidity - within an hour I was about to pass out from heat stroke!
To seek air conditioning and cold water, I popped into the Chelsea Market. I would love to go back and spend more time in Chelsea! I loved all the little shops, outdoor dining and the architecture! I managed to make it back to the hotel just before the crazy storms - watched them move in over the Hudson. I was lucky enough to have a room with a view of the Statue of Liberty and as I sat there watching the storm roll in (while checking emails and making calls) it struck me how busy that waterway is ... boats all around liberty island. Maybe I will get on one of those boats and go out the actually see that statue up close and personal someday. She is lovely from a far...
It was simply lovely to check into the Ritz Carlton Battery Park to discover I had a liberty view room! Woot! Thank you to my client for putting me up in such fancy digs!!
... via iPhone ...
Back in the beautiful month of May I spent a few days with my friends, the Magee's, in the Flint Hills of Kansas. After all the change of command duties were done we headed out to see the Konza Prairie. Bethany is so good to always go along with my crazy ideas.
Started our sunday with brunch at 82 Queen. They have the most lovely little garden seating area! Chicken and waffles were excellent, seasonal french toast... not so much. I spent the rest of the day shopping in all the cute little boutiques along King Street. And after a good number of hours spent walking I treated myself to a few french macarons from Macaron Boutique and gelato from Paolo's. Neitheir of which wowed me, but were a great way to end the day.
I had a little list of "must do's" when in Charleston that I ran across and actually managed to fit it all in (minus two) in just two days!
I cannot thank my friend enough for putting me up and putting up with me (and my photo taking) for a couple of days. Was a great weekend!
... via iPhone ...
Fantastic day in Charleston!! We started our day walking around downtown - Laura gave me some great histoy of the area and some of the buildings while I snapped photos like crazy. I just love the colorful buildings and all the hurricane shutters. Perfectly picturesque, if you ask me.
We made a quick pit stop at her sister's house to change on our way to the beach. She walked me out back to the long wooden pier for a photo and to show me where her family hangs out. It's quite beautiful - they are on a clam bed (or something like that, I cannot remember the term she used) so the amount of shells was crazy! We saw two crabs mating - that was a first - and then as we were making our way back up the pier, we hear a gunshot. I'm like holy crap. I'm standing on this pier (that has no sides - hate that!) and now there's gunfire. WTF? We get back up to the houses to find her brother-in-law's father had shot a crow and his two dogs were out playing with it and barking at it. So picture it - little old guy sitting on his back portch in his rocking chair, gun resting up against the rail. That happened. Only in the south! Laura was giving him a hard time saying he'd scared her Yankee friend to death.
We finally made it to the beach and went to the farthest possible point on Folley Island. It was the perfect beach day. Perfect location. Perfect for sitting along the edge of the water letting the waves lap up over our feet. Big puffy clouds rolling by. I mean come on... just perfect.
Back to the homestead to freshen up and head downtown. First up, drinks at Amen Street (Laura used to work here) then over to High Cotton for dinner. Laura knew a ton of people here too, so we had nothing be the best service! The meal was outstanding. I would highly recommend reserving a table if you ever find yourself in Charleston. We were so full, but had to stop in at the Peninsula Grill for the coconut cake! The perfect end to the most lovely day!
Charleston : day one :: Had lunch at a cute place near Folley Beach then headed over to the pier. Love that damn pier. Lots and lots of photos to be processed. As per usual with me, the clouds rolled in just in time for my arrival. I suppose I am just going to have to get used to overcast beach days ... seems I get very few sunny ones, no matter where in the world I am. Then I headed to Isle of Palms to the Boathouse for dinner. My fabulous friend, Laura, hooked me up with some delicious food and a sunset view. Well, till the clouds rolled in again. :)
THE. PERFECT. BEACH. DAY. Yep. Finally the day I have been looking for in Hawaii. We met another one of our high school classmates, Wendy, at Hickam Air Force Base beach to catch up and catch some rays! It was super to see Wendy - don't think I've seen her in 20 years - she's just as crazy as I remember!
So, Hickam beach was great - two lifeguards on duty (most beaches have none), kayak and sup board rentals for super cheap, bathroom facilities and shaded picnic benches. It's a small beach, but pretty and not crowded - well not on a Thursday morning anyway. The only problem is that the end of a runway is right along the water and while normal jets are loud, F-22 fighters are insane! They were taking off in pairs and the sound literally vibrated inside my chest it was so loud. Pretty cool to see and like a free air show as they flew overhead, but not the best for sitting and chatting with friends. But Bethany finally got to SUP (stand up paddle) and popped up the first try. She didn't actually fall off the board till she tried to move her feet inline rather than wide. She paddled a little way out and back and practiced some footwork and totally rocked it. They tried to get me out there, but I don't think there is any way in hell I could pop up with my bad knees.
Picked up G and headed back over to Paradise cove where I almost tripped over a green sea turtle - he crept up on me when I was wading about, I turned around and he was right there. Scared me and I hear if they hit you it really hurts because they are heavy!! I sat it in the beach chair along the shore with the waves lapping up over my feet. The sun was getting low in the sky and the people at Paradise Cove were preparing for the luau. At one point I heard a Dave Matthews Band song (One Sweet World) in Hawaiian - or at least I think it was. Had the exact same tune.
Since I had been sitting but the water I was starting to pink up… so banished myself to a shady spot under a tree while B & G continued to play for a bit. Fortunately I saved myself, only a tiny bit burnt on my forehead and scalp and chest is a little pink, but should be good by tomorrow. G was so cute, he ran up to me and said "um, Miss Yvette are you OK up here? I just wanted to check on you." I said I was all good and he ran back to the water. He's such a beach bum.
We left just before sunset - I'm sure it was stunning, but the beach closes at sunset and we needed to clean up to get dinner. It was the perfect beach day! Ahhhhh.
