America!

Last week, I had the good fortune to reap the benefits of Jet Blue's buddy pass system. Ross' cousin- the Kew Gardens host extraordinaire, Jillian- was able to get us the cheap seats. Only these ones weren't nosebleed.

We arrived in NYC hassle free after a red eye, and made our way through the fog filled pre-dawn streets of Queens desperately trying to locate the "Kew Arms", or as Jill affectionately calls it, the "3D Funhole." (Don't ask.)

Central Park view from the Natural History Museum

After catching up on some much needed shut-eye, Ross and I embraced the day. We walked. And walked. All around the downtown streets of Union Square, towards Central Park, and everywhere in between. Unfortunately for us, we had dressed in pea coats and jeans, when the temperatures outside called for shorts and breezy tanks.We met up with Sydney for an afternoon brew in the East Village, sauntered down the tree lined streets in her neighborhood, and ooh'd and ahh'd over the many brownstones and walkups. We enjoyed the tasty, Italian fare at Posto, where we shared a delectable thin crust, wood-fired pizza, and some hummus (random, I know). It was a fitting "welcome to New York" dinner. 

The beau and I

The following days were spent at the Natural History Museum (hello, taxidermy!), entering a raffle to see "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway (we didn't get tickets), and getting rowdy at a few Meatpacking District bars (675 Bar was a favorite- as was our amazingly friendly bartender there) . Ross, Syd, and I went to the place that "Coyote Ugly" was based on, and we didn't even know it! Kiss and Fly made us feel like celebs in training when the owner saw past our leggings, rain boots, jean jackets, and empty wallets and let us enjoy bottle service on him. 

Heart attack in a mason jar: chocolate dipped bacon at the underground 675 bar

Loving the artwork in the Meatpacking District

After our jaunt in the city that never sleeps, we hitched a ride on standby to Washington, D.C. where we met up with the entire Anthony clan. Ross' brother Collin is a Tomb Guard at Arlington National Cemetary so we decided it was time to watch him walk. We got the inside scoop on how being a tomb guard works, and got to see their secret rooms under the tomb. They let us into the press box, where we did our best not to make him laugh. (He can't even sneeze!) That was a pretty incredible experience. The trip ensued with the requisite tour of DC monuments, Obama's house, etc. One of the highlights for me was wandering the streets of Old Town, Alexandria. Brick buildings from the 1700's, views of the Potomac, and lots of cobblestone was enough to make me want to stay in VA a bit longer. 

Collin Anthony, 591st Tomb Guard

Old Town Alexandria, via Destination360

I won't even go into our lovely standby experience on the way home. Let's just say I'm thrilled all five of us got back to San Diego...eventually. 

Next up on NYC wish list? Trying a street vendor hot dog, actually seeing a Broadway show, and spending a day exploring Central Park. What are your favorite East Coast must-do's?

Happy Thursday!

xo,

L