CTNYC

Over a week ago I left Champaign to take short trip to the East coast. My older (by 8 months) step brother was getting married in Ridgefield, CT; thus much of step family, that on my dad's wife's side, made the trip as well.

I left Chi-town, arriving at La Guardia three hours before any other family. When the rest arrived, though, they all came in a bunch. So much so that we needed to 13 passenger van to haul all of us around. With Grandpa Ronnie behind the wheel we all set off for Danbury. Unlike the pirates in the last post, our van was full of chiefs. It was stressful drive having 10 people yell complete different driving directions at Ronnie. While sitting quietly in the back, I watched my family go through a wide array of emotions as we got lost, went the wrong direction, and got stuck in rush hour traffic. Yes, we eventually made it to CT and only three hours late.

Friday morning Dad, Michelle (my sister), Mike (Michelle's husband) and I took the train into Manhattan. We walked around downtown for the afternoon. No list of "to dos", just out for a saunter. On our day trip we were amazed at the massive buildings towering over every street. The BMW yacht from the 2003 America's cup rested in front of one of those famous buildings (the name slips my mind); it was brazen with carbon fiber-everything. Nice, very nice. Here are two pics from that day:

BMW '03 Yacht; and a picture of Hebrew's Messiah Bold: The Chosen Beer.


A local Italian restaurant hosted us for the rehearsal dinner that evening. I give mad props to the servers and cooks for dealing with such a large party - making wonderful food and serving us so quickly. Also, looking for a nice red wine? Try Crane Valley's Merlot (CA).

The day of the wedding the same clan (Dad, M&M, and I) visited Keeler's Tavern for some revolutionary fun, literally. This Inn is located at the site of the Battle of Ridgefield, fought during the Revolutionary War. In light of the season, the historic site offered a day of arts, crafts, and reenactment. There's even a cannonball lodged in the side of the house.
Here's an original (1790) tapestry from inside the house. The next pic is of Mike and I ducking out of the way of the British cannonball. Those bloody Brits!


The wedding and reception dinner were quite nice. It would have been for enjoyable to taste a bunch of drinks from the open bar, but in light of ample over indulgence among the guests alcohol seemed distasteful that evening. Nonetheless, it was good to dance and socialize. Here are Josh and Kate doing the wedding thing. And, here's a pic of the tent and backyard where the dinner was held. I've heard that the "tent" thing is very common for weddings in this area of the states.


Sunday after the wedding we headed back to NYC. Michelle and Mike left for KC, while my stepmom's parents accompanied dad, my stepmom, Tyler (my stepbro) and myself for an extended stay in Manhattan. Briefly, we were able to visit Times Square, Canal Street, the Statue of Liberty, the Bronx Zoo and big fireworks display on the East River.

A) Here's I am with Lady Liberty in the background.

B) Tyler w/ Lennon's guitar.

C). Times Square.

D) NYC Street at night.

E) A tapir (it's like my favorite animal) at the zoo.

F) Yep, Tyler and I are breaking the law (see the red sign), but so to are 250,000 other people. Where else were we supposed to stand?

G) Tyler and I at the fireworks.

H) Chemistry, baby.


The one souvenir that I didn't have to purchase while out there: cough/cold/infected crap in the chest, all rolled into one big fat bug.