We are currently in East Meadow, LI. We decided to take to the Interstate again, because no matter how hard we try, there's always some artificial deadline. Sean was in New York with Bryn and it's hard to ignore an opportunity to be with two children at the same time. Sean was in NY on his way to Newtown PA for a business trip so he made a stop in Albany to see his Albany relatives and a stop in LI to see his LI relatives. On our way, however, we did manage to make a few interesting stops.
One was a Train Museum. Bob said it was an unbelievable train set up (which was the whole downstairs of a house). Custom houses and three regions of the US, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania. The house was specially built for this setup. Next to the house was an old passenger train used as a shop for new and used trains.
We also stopped in a very charming town, Stroudsburg, PA. It was time to eat. We hadn't eaten all day long. Main Street was charming, but it was a Sunday, so many of the shops I would have liked to have visited were closed. This town has no shortage of Irish pubs--I would estimate that there were 6 of them in a two-block area. We stopped at Grace O'Malley's. Beautiful, huge, great menu, wonderful murals. Bob had a ruben and a Guinness. I had a cheesesteak and a WoodChuck Hard Cider. Delicious.
Then we were on the road again. I noticed the drivers getting speedier and ruder, and tolls beginning (which were quite expensive) the closer we got to the east coast. In Pennsylvania, we noted the speed picked up quite a bit. The scenery was stunning. We were so tempted to go to the Delaware Water Gap and take out the kayak, but we did not have the time. At that point, Sean and Bryn were in Brooklyn, with Anthony and Jenn. I wanted to join them and had that in my mind when we approached New Jersey. Our GPS was taking us through toll roads and the Navigator on my phone disagreed with the directions from the GPS. To compound problems, there were traffic jams with 45-55 minute delays for the George Washington Bridge which meant that people were going to alternate routes, racing to get there before other drivers thought about it. Traffic was heavy and FAST! Drivers were exceptionally rude starting in New Jersey. No one would allow anyone to cross lanes and drivers cutting other drivers off were in abundance. Bob was cool through it all, but I was CRAZED.  We managed to get to Hoboken, NJ and attempted to find our way to the Lincoln Tunnel. Traffic to and through the tunnel was heavy and slow, but there were no stoppages. Then.................................... we were driving in Manhattan. UGH! I had an anxiety attack and this is how the conversation went with Bob,, who was driving, of course.
Me: Oooh. You were supposed to make a left there.
Bob: I couldn't get over in time. The bitch (voice on GPS) will Recalculate.
Me: Ok. She wants you to make a left on 2nd Ave.
Bob: That's in a mile.
Me: shouldn't you get over?
Bob: I'll do that if you want me to.
Me: Yes, yes--go now!
Bob: Great. Now we're stuck--remember we're in the city where everybody double-parks.
Me: Sorry. Will anyone let us back in?
Bob: Remember, this is the city--no one is courteous.
Me: Go NOW!
Bob: Geez, Casey, calm down.
Me: Sorry. Ooh--look out those pedestrians are going to try to cross in front of you even though they don't have the light.
Bob: Ah, there's a pregnant lady--25 points.
Me: Hahaha. Go, go, go, the light's going to change.
Bob: Casey, what the hell is your problem.
Me: This is nervewracking. I'm a wreck.
Bob: Are you trying to get to Brooklyn to meet the kids?
Me: Well, I want to, but I don't know how much longer they're going to be there (it was 8PM).
Bob: Forget it--we're going to Bryn's and wait for them to come home.
Me: Yeah, you're right. Lookout, the light is going to change.
Bob: Geez, I wish you filled up that flask with something. Calm down. It will be okay.
Me. Sorry. Ohmigod. I want to go into that shop.
Bob: Now? I thought you wanted to get out of Manhattan.
ME: Ohmigod! Look at that restaurant--let's go in.
Bob: Casey, I'll never be able to get a parking space and then when we come out of the restaurant, our kayak and everything in our car will be gone. Our hubcaps too!
Me: Turn here, HERE, Bob! Here!'
Bob: Do you see the signal, Casey;? I'm turning, I'm turning.
Me: This is one-way, go over to the left lane, we have to make a left onto the bridge.
Oops! I think this is the bike lane.
Bob: Well, there are other vehicles in this lane too. I don't give a shit right now, Casey.
Over the bridge we go
Bob: We are in Queens, now, so calm down.
Casey: Phew!

And that's how it went.
Bryn got home and we had a little reunion with Anthony, Bryn, and Sean. The boys all went out for the TALK (Sean's idea). The talk was with Anthony and "If you hurt Bryn, we will come after you and have Guido break your knees." If you know Bob, that is not how the talk went. And they all had a merry old time--until 3AM.
The next day we visited with Ann (she looked much better), Patti and Gerry (and all of their dogs--the yard was beautiful and it was a glorious breezy day), and MaryAnn (it was our niece's birthday--22 years old). Nice visits, but far too short.
Bob and I went to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner, Piccolo's and had a great dinner. Real Italian food (as opposed to what we get in Phoenix). Our waitress, Carol, treated us to something we'd never had before, fried Capelli d'angelo (angel-hair pasta) nests, stuffed with cheese and topped with sauce.
This restaurant has combination platters (like Mexican restaurants). I had canneloni, butterflied shrimp, and eggplant parm.Bob had eggplant rollatini, lasagna, canneloni, and meatballs. For dessert, we shared tiramisu. Delicious! It was served with salad, bread, and pizza fingers.
Home. Bryn and Sean went out with Maryann, Bob, Tricia, Jenn, Mikey for Tricia's 22nd birthday celebration. We were going to just have pizza for dinner, but then we saw the menu, so we probably should've joined the family for the celebration feast after all.
Today is a veg day and tomorrow we leave for Maine. So EXCITED! Finally!!!