OFF TO CELEBRATE KATIE AND DANIELS WEDDING!
Quick stop in Peekskill, NY to get a headstart on our trip. So, we spend the evening at the Birdsall House (http://birdsallhouse.net/), The Quiet Man Public House (http://thequietmanpublichouse.com/) and Gleason's (http://www.gleasonspeekskill.com/)
Here's a surprise. The Inn On the Hudson (https://innonthehudson.com) really lives up to it's name. But, the location is a blessing and a curse. While it does have a wonderful view, the noise is pretty obnoxious. Much worse than our hotel in NYC. There's a highway and a railroad just below this view. And, for some reason, the train blows it's whistle all night long. As the Blues Brothers said:
Jake: How often does the train go by?
Elwood: So often you won't even notice it.
Looking west on the Hudson River
Looking south on the Hudson River
FIRST DRINKS OF 2020 ON THE PATIO!
WE'RE COMING KATIE AND DANIEL! Taking the Metro-North train (http://www.mta.info/mnr) into the city.
View from our room at Fairfield Inn Queens (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycqn-fairfield-inn-and-suites-new-york-queens-queensboro-bridge/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2)
With a train and construction site, still quieter than Peekskill... Also had a white noise machine.
It's incredible how many new buildings are being constructed or recently finished. Not what I expected at all.
View of Manhattan looking north from Gantry Plaza State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/gantryplaza/details.aspx)
View of United Nations Headquarters (https://visit.un.org/) on Manhattan looking west from Gantry Plaza State Park
View of Manhattan looking southwest from Gantry Plaza State Park
Whoops... Extreme close up
There we go
Buildings piled on buildings piled on more buildings.
NYC grocery stores still have groceries. So, Katie had a fun improvised bridal shower with everyone's favorite snacks.
Katie, Vern, and Cotton
Welcome to Long Island City.
My 5 year old nephew Nolan would love all the little emergency vehicles in NYC. Real life Paw Patrol.
Quite a spread at Sek'end Sun (https://www.sekendsun.com/) in Astoria. Also, what I've learned from this trip is Daniel and Katie have a sixth sense for knowing when a camera is about to click.
The amazing couple
Passing through Times Square on our way to a birthday brunch with Marisa. Only my 2nd time here, but much less crowded than the 1st time on a chilly February night at 11pm or so.
View from Greenpoint Loft (https://www.greenpointloft.com/) in Brooklyn. This place deserves the most stars, kudos, karma, etc. In the middle of a pandemic with new restrictions, CDC recommendations, a rapidly changing guest list, panic shoppers, and countless other issues; they put on a fun wedding and reception. Their level of professionalism was outstanding.
A bit of future inspiration
The view toward the East River
Dolled up before getting messed up on the dance floor
A few icons in the skyline.
Social distancing doesn't mean you can't dance.
We were at table 4, which means we get to see Daniel and Katie photos at age 4.
Did people even have fun at weddings before photobooths?
Finally I get to be in a B-movie about a giant Chiweenie
KATIE, VERN, AND DANIEL ARE NOW A FAMILY!
Katie and Daniel, Thank you for inviting us to your wedding. YAY! YOU'RE MARRIED! And that's the most important thing. While almost nothing went according to plan, it was a lot of fun. And you will get lots of bonus karma points for grace under pressure. At the very least, if the apocalypse does happen someday, we hope the same group of people will be together because we'll go out with style. You two deserve only the best. CONGRATS!!!
The party is over and on our way back home passing through Grand Central Station (https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/)
Seriously? We need some leadership to put a "steady hand on the wheel" because this panic shopping is getting out of control. We went to 8 different stores and none of them had bread, toilet paper, Pepto Bismol, and countless other products. We just wanted to get a few things for the house and all that was available was frozen pizza, pasta, and mac and cheese.
Why are people hoarding toilet paper?
Also, why are people hoarding everything else?
Scout doesn't know it yet, but she's going to love Megan's new routine. The Coronavirus closed Megan's office for at least 2 weeks. So, she'll be working from home. So, we had to improvise a new office space for her.
That's it from Coronavirus in-home isolation. Stay safe out there. Remember to cough into your elbow, don't touch your face, practice social-distancing, and wash your hands. We'll get through this together.
