New York in Spring...

Isn't there a song about New York City in the spring?  I think there is and if there isn't then there should be.  I just recently was in New York City to visit my friends and fellow BP's The Hazard's.  The weather was absolutely fabulous!  I just could not believe it.  I arrived Friday night, delayed of course.  I walked out of the airport to locate my car service and it was somewhat misting/raining and all I wanted to do was to rip off my glasses but then I would not be able to find my car if it was two inches from me.  I make my way into Manhattan chauffeured in a silver Town Car/Indian restaurant whose special that evening was beef kabobs-heavy on the curry.  The only English I could understand of my turban clad friend was "car 970, cross street, thirty-four dollars."  I lost interest in his musings as we crossed into Manhattan.  That view should be one of the wonders of the world!  When I arrived I declared that I MUST EAT NOW!  The rain had stopped and Ms. Hazard and I walk over to Charlie's Pizza.  Look for a review of Charlie's soon from Forkboy.  

The next morning I awoke from the light of a thousand suns and it was only 5am.  Lying on the sofa I should have brought my sunscreen.  Saturday was such a beautiful day that it would have been a crime to stay inside.  Our purpose that morning was to get ready and head over to a memorial service of a friend who passed away way to soon.  The memorial was very nice and there were a ton of people there.  She will be missed by many and I only wish I had known her more. 

So, afterwards we head back to the apartment to change clothes and head out to an early dinner.  In true Hazard fashion we walked to the East Village.  I am starving and searching out a pretzel with none to be found.  We end up at A Casa Fox, a Nicaraguan restaurant that had recently opened.  It was so fabulous that it is difficult to speak!  Look for a review soon from Forkboy.  Afterward we head over to a friend of the Hazard's for drinks and a courtyard viewing of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Sunday we head on out to Madison, New Jersey.  We take a train out of Penn Station and honestly I was not all thrilled with the swampy scene.  As we got further from New York the scenery turned lush and green.  Unfortunately it began to rain when we arrived.  What I saw of the town reminded me of my grandparents town in Arkansas.  The quaint little houses, quiet streets, and super lush greenery really took me back to my childhood.  We here there for a BBQ.  Now being from Texas I get a little skeptical of BBQs outside of Texas but Mr. Hazard's friend from South Texas now lives in NJ and had a bunch of mesquite wood shipped to him since you can't get it up there.  He also had cases of Shiner Bock that is apparently almost impossible to find.  The grilled food was so good and the company was even better.  

Now I am back at home.  I go from 60 degree weather to 99 degree weather.  Damn the humidity!!!  

Overall, I had a wonderful time and can't wait to get back there soon.  I think Ron and I will be making a trip up there late summer or early fall.  I ain't going when it is 5 degrees outside again!