New York Revisited

I gave Katy's parents a much needed rest and met up with my extended family in New York.
First, I met up with Cameron and Evan in Penn Station and planned to pull an all-nighter as they had a 7AM flight to catch. I got to see Cameron's office space in Brooklyn an it was incredible. The view transfixed on the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan, and the office was just as amazing. The all-nighter had its humble beginnings with appetizers in Brooklyn from there we spilled into Manhattan, and finally left each other confused on the subway. Them going to the airport, me going to Bethpage.
Falling asleep on the train, getting lost in the rain, I stumbled into Aunt Betty's and slept off the night. I spent the week switching between Uncle Chuck's and Aunt Betty's until Katy came in on the ferry at Port Jefferson on the back stretch of the trip. We would spend the night with my cousins Ryan, Janelle, and Charlie. The next day Uncle Chuck and Rose would drive us all the way back to Katy's house in Connecticut.
A short stint in New York landed Chuck and I in Brooklyn and Queens, we drove through the Polish and Irish ghettos to see the places where my Pops, his brothers, and my grandparents grew up. The detour was littered with stories of NY childhood shananigans and stupidity. I now have all types of dirt on everyone in the family. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
This is grandma and grandpa's first house together. Uncle Chuck ran out in the middle of the street and got hit by an 18-wheeler. Idiot.
This is where my grandpa lived with his 6 other brothers
My grandma's house when she moved from Ireland and lived with her 5 other sisters, the youngest still lives there

The church where Grandma married Grandpa

The house where Grandma raised my Pops and Chuck before they moved to California.

Behind Chuck lies the very spot in their backyard where my dad and a few friends burried him up to his neck. When will he learn?

the bronx and the zoo (not to be confused with the bronx zoo...)

Ian and I both went to see a psychic this weekend. I went on Friday and he went early Saturday morning (She
didn't want to work on both of our energies at once...)
It was really interesting. My mother was first introduced to Sandra Noble when she accidentally wound up at a psychic fair. She had gone with her Lyme organization after hearing it was more of a health fair. She liked meeting Sandra and wanted us to do the same. When I went on Friday she told me that I should be working with children and that I would live a simple but happy life. At first I was skeptical of her prophecies but when she asked me if I had any questions I was really blown away. I opened my mouth to ask and she said my exact question verbatim without any previous discussion in that topic area.
When Ian went the next day a sampling of what he heard was that he was on the track to a desk job but would find the most success and happiness in a later job working with water preservation. She also told him that he would eventually build his own environmentally friendly home. Overall, I would say she was able to tell us some things about our futures that reflected out personalities without ever talking to us and getting to know more about us. It was fun and I would definitely pay her another visit if I had a question on my mind.
After Ian's visit we drove with my parents to Arthur Avenue, a section of the Bronx. This area is like a lesser- known Little Italy. We had delicious food at a family- style restaurant and saw some very authentic looking shops. I couldn't go into the pork shop- the head- level hanging meat and general smell were a bit overwhelming.

Myself with the store cat of a coffee accessory shop

Ian with the store cat- who wasn't trying to escape as much as it looks in this picture!One of the many pastry and bread shops

A delicacy we weren't brave enough to try!

On Sunday we went to the Beardsley Zoo. While the San Diego Zoo tops this one on animals and size this Zoo wins on character. The space between exhibits is purposely overgrown and wild looking. Between the foliage and the old stone buildings you feel like you are at some eccentric old man's estate viewing the animals he caught on his adventures. My favorite were the prairie dogs while Ian seemed to get pretty attached to some tiny orange monkeys. We were at the Zoo to honor a Lyme doctor's 80th Birthday- Dr. Jones. He is a pediatric Lyme physician and it doubled as a fundraiser for his legal fees. Ian got the quick guide to all the Lyme- treating doctors in the area, as they were there as guests, as well as the chance to hear multiple families experiences. He was a good sport and even helped me move the speakers around for the event.

My little prairie dogs hanging with their homies

Ian and I at the rainforest section of the zoo

Ian's favorite orange monkeys

- Katy

Mystic Seaport

A 2 hour drive from Ridgefield landed Katy, Katy's mom (Jennifer), and I in Mystic, CT. Home of the famous Mystic Pizza and a historical seaport. We entered the seaport and were immediately taken back by a huge wooden whaling ship called the J.P. Morgan. This was the oldest wooden whaling boat in the world.

The boat has been dry-docked for a historical restoration project ranging in the millions of dollars. in the mid-nineteenth century this ship was taking on 2-3 year voyages to gather as much blubber for whale oil as possible. 200 years later the smell of that whale oil still overpowers the deck of the ship. We learned that ship hands were forced to crawl around on hand and knee, due to the amount of whale oil that coated the floors, to get around the ship.

Our tour continued further as we traveled past the bustling ship lumber yards, bearded men, and sea birds. We saw exhibits that highlighted the original lifeguards that guarded the shores and would use cannon power to save the ships and their sailors after they had run aground on the surrounding rocks. We saw the history of sea life and how it has modernized throughout time. From tall ships to light houses, from rope making to blacksmiths, from clamming to boat restoration, Mystic had it all.

- Ian

We're Off!!

The time has flown by, our bags are packed, tickets in hand, and we are ready to start our journey. There was no looking back. The first leg of the trip brings us to Katy's hometown, Ridgefield, CT. Both of Katy's parents, Tim and Jennifer, have given us a warm welcome and have opened their home to us. I had the rare chance to meet Finn when we first arrived as she bolted around the house upon our arrival in a dance deemed "The Torpedo." On our first day Katy and I and Finn toured the main strip in the city and ended at the dog park.

- Ian