NYC

Recently, Brian suggested we take a short trip to New York. Now, talk of our upcoming Colorado trip made sense - it’s our place, after all, and we have someone new to share it with! - but heading east wasn’t on my radar. It was a short flight, much like to Denver, and Brian thought it would be a place I’d enjoy. It would be a perfect little getaway. He was right. Brian also thought it would be nice to bring my mom along, and, again, he was right! We are big time in debt to her, so it was the least we could do! 

The Unti-Runnells crew flew into New York as the city lights lit up the mid-evening sky; from our seats we could see the Statue of Liberty, 1 World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building - this trip was off to a great start. 

Our first full day in NYC involved a leisurely start. We tested out our subway traveling skills, ate lunch at an expansive Italian restaurant and shop, which made me feel like I was truly back in Italy, and visited the 9/11 Memorial, which, like Normandy and the Anne Franke House, was a powerful and poignant experience. 

We closed out our first full day in the city  with a trip to Times Square. Oh, the sights...and sounds....like the man signing his ‘iTunes hit, “Ignore”....

That night was mom-daughter date night for JoJo and me. When we planned our trip, Brian suggested we take in a Broadway show - he’s full of good ideas that BR. The Carol King  musical, Beautiful, was playing: We were sold! And we had a blast! The show was fantastic, and I haven’t stopped singing those “Tapestry” tunes since then. I couldn’t help but replay bits of my childhood, for which Carol King, James Taylor, and Meatloaf form the soundtrack . Mom and I ended our day with a dinner date - and manages to avoid buying a giant cherry cheesecake, which was no easy task as it looked sooooo good. It was such a blast to share this experience with my mom! 

The next day, while Brian explored one part of the city, Mom and I navigated the subway and another part of the city together. We stopped for coffee (for me), strolled about, and ultimately made it to our destination, the 9-11 Museum. Again, what a powerful experience. There really are no words for it! 

After our visit, we made our way back uptown to Central Park, where we ambled about before enjoying a Turkish dinner. Then, thanks to my awesome husband, I got to enjoy a second night of excellent music, this time at a Tedeschi Trucks Band show.  It was our first official Mommy-Daddy night out, and we enjoyed ourselves (TTB is amazing, so how can you not have a great time?!), though both of us could barely hang after 10pm (we didn’t get back to the apartment until midnight - go, us!).   

We got to do a last little bit of NYC exploration the next morning, our final morning in the city. After some good people watching and plenty of picture taking in Rockefeller Center, it was time to grab lunch, pack up, and head home. 

What an excellent trip - now, to convince Dad to join us on the European excursion Mom and I began loosely planning during the much appreciated time we had together!