Sunday, May 24, 2009

My visit to the city

Today I drove to New York City to meet three women bloggers I’d never met before. And to hear some of my co-workers talk, I was going to the big city to meet axe murderers. They couldn’t believe I would do something as crazy as to go and meet people from the internet. Alone.

Well, I’m certainly glad I didn’t listen to them.

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The best thing about today went beyond the sights, sounds and scents of the city. It was gorgeous today, with a nice breeze and just perfect weather. But the best thing was meeting friends for the first time in real life. Today I met up with Daryl [Out and About in NYC], Lauren [The Mental Pause Chronicles] and Annie [The Tombstone Chronicler].

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From L to R is Annie, me, Lauren and Daryl. It was the first time we’d actually met, although we’ve known each other in the blogging community for over a year and a half.

We had a fantastic meal at Mamoya on Amsterdam Ave. It was some of the most incredible sushi I’ve ever had. Ever.

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We also had this.

I am now in love with peach sangria.

Come here, my lovely.

Before lunch, though, we strolled through Riverside Park. And we saw this cheerful little mama squirrel having an orgy with an apple.



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She wanted some privacy, so she scrambled up a branch and continued her meal. We walked on and saw that several people were standing under a huge sycamore tree and two of them had camera lenses about 4 feet long.

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You can hardly see it, but right in the center of this picture is a huge nest with an osprey and 3 hatchlings. Those photographers had probably been there for hours, waiting for the light to hit just right.

We were told while we were there that it was a hawk but this is an osprey nest. They usually build them right by water.

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These little beach roses were pretty. Or are they marsh roses? Here’s a close up below, but I didn’t have the macro lens with me.

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After lunch, we went on a walk and I’ll have more of those pictures up later this week. But for now, here are some sights I enjoyed.

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This is Daryl’s friend, Wendy. She met us for lunch and I loved her bracelets.

Thanks for visiting!

I’ll post the Pay It Forward Sunday night.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have yet to visit NYC in the late spring. I've been once in Dec (a wonderland) and once in March (Patty's Day--great). Your pics are lovely, as usual, and it looks like you had a blast.

Lori@
www.hintonrae.wordpress.com

Jo Whitehurst said...

Your pics make me want to be in NYC! I have been through there on business, but never just there to enjoy the city. I have recently connected with a friend that I went to high school with, who now lives in NYC...and I wanna go!! Texas is too far from NYC! Thanks for taking me on a photo tour!

ELK said...

oh what a happy trip to the city with NEW friends...who are not ax murderers! ;0

Daryl said...

I must remember to stand up straight and tomorrow I am posting Mama Squirrel ...love you and your pix..no axes here ..

Tess Kincaid said...

Now, how fun was this? You lucky girl!!!

Char said...

sounds like a great time!!! :) isn't that just the best fun?

GailO said...

Lucky, lucky you and all the other axe murderers! Jealous I am:)

The beautiful and heavily scented single roses are rosa rugosa...very old fashioned and very hardy...often found near the beach but also often planted near highways because they are somewhat tolerant of salt...their scent is heavenly I think..

Donalyn said...

See? I knew I would be jealous! Looks like great fun - great pics too. :)

Jan said...

Sounds like you had a great time. Bob and I are off to NYC, tomorrow, and hope to do some meet-ups, too.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Well...we here in blogland certainly understand meeting us..or.they. We. I would go meet you in a heartbeat..New York minute.
I just don't get it. My family doesn't either and are terribly paranoid if they think I might put something in my blog about them..so..they can't see MY BLOG!
SO THERE!
Hugs and smiles!
Mona

Sarah Anne said...

Fun! I've never been to New York before. It's a bit far away, you know? :)

BB said...

Oh, New York, NEW YORK!! I have been to Old York (does that count) and it was pretty amazing.

And one day... when the kidlings are up for a big trip, New York is definitely on the agenda. In the meantime, I shall read blogs to take me there vicariously!

Thanks for sharing...
:-)
BB

Pony Girl said...

Oh, what fun! I miss NYC! I haven't been in years. I had to chuckle at the ax murderer comment from your co-workers! Although I feel a little leery about the Internet and public sometimes, there are some blogging buddies I hope to meet and ride with someday, for sure!!

Skogkjerring said...

I think that is what still surprises me about blogging, that I'm actually writing things other people are reading and caring about. I never think I have anything interesting to say so I'm always shocked to see people have read what I wrote...and then to think you could actually meet people who read your blog or whose blog you read isn't anything I've ever considered or thought about when starting a blog and already this summer I'll meet a fellow blogger who is coming to visit with her family! The world was small and it's getting smaller-
I have said before I wouldn't visit New York City- to big and to scary for me, but yet I'm fascinated by it..and tempted..and I've learned that it's best to never say never...
Looks like a wonderful day!!

Ellen said...

Aren't Annie and Lauren the best? Sorry Daryl, haven't met you yet.

What a wonderful day you must have had. Hoping we get to meet soon too.

Anonymous said...

how fun it must be to actually meet other bloggers :)

Hilary said...

Sounds like fun to me.....what is life if you don't take any risk at all?
I love rosa rugosa, just planted some in my garden. They are planted all along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.

Mary said...

Oh what fun! And somehow, I just can't picture Lauren as an ax murderer, in her cute little flip-flops and pedicure... ;)

A Scattering said...

What fun! - and great photos, of course. I missed my 3 close friends when I looked at your group shot. Oh, the freedom of hanging with like minded people.....

Kentucky Farm Girl said...

I am so glad you had a great visit!

Maria said...

what a fun day and it was interesting seeing the different takes on the same events, quite an interesting study in perspective

Unknown said...

What a great time you all had. Such beautiful women!!!

Your photos made NYC a lot less scary. I am glad you followed your heart and had a great time!

Mental P Mama said...

I am sooo glad you came, too;) I'll bring my axe next time.

abb said...

I firmly believe yesterday should be done at least 4 times a year! What a wonderful day the four of us had!
Such a pleasure to finally meet you, Kate!
xoabb

Jill of All Trades said...

Oh what fun, what fun, what fun. The Hubby had a similar reaction when I told him I was going to the Blogger Moms Night Out and meet some peeps that blog. He wanted to know where exactly where I was going, etc. I told him not to worry and I was right. It was awesome.

tj said...

...I had heard on the news last night that some unknown force had hit New York City and that officials and residents are unsure as to what exactly it is but I knew - it's you girls! *giggle*snort* ;o)

...Looks like fun and you all are so ding-dang pretty!

...Blessings... :o)

Woman in a Window said...

I remember when I first started blogging that I was shocked that bloggers knew each other. I think the internet gets a bad wrap in pop culture. People think other people use the internet to hide things. And then you blog and reveal every part of yourself, stand niked, and still have great friends. THAT is what blogging is all about.

Wonderful shots and a wonderful group of women.

noble pig said...

Glad you are still alive, those ladies are pretty dangerous you know! I was laughing so hard at the pic of everyone taking pics...only a bunch of bloggers right?

Treasia Stepp said...

What a group of beautiful women you four made. Aww how I envy all of you getting to meet one another.

Jo said...

What a great photo of the four of you. You are just as I had imagined. New York is sooooo wonderful. Lucky you!

Cheers!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Meeting people from internet chat I think you have to trust your instincts. I recently met Elizabeth from About New York when I came over there - it was lovely to meet up - I felt I had known her a long time. Glad you enjoyed your day.

Deb said...

I am so glad you had the opportunity to meet our blogging buddies. I am so jealous but someday, I know I will be blogging about meeting ya'll!
And you all look just fabulous!!!

Shelley said...

Looks like such a fun and lovely outing! I met one of my bloggy friends and it was fantastic also! (I also had the warnings of ax murders - lol!)

A New England Life said...

What a great time Kate! Good thing you didn't listen to your friends. My internet friend, Nancy, came up to NH (she was in Boston on business) for a visit a few years ago and my hubby thought the same thing. We had a great time and our friendship is closer than ever. Even my husband thinks she's wonderful.

Enjoyed all the pictures. I can imagine you ladies laughed and 'snapped' away the whole time.

Thanks for sharing a wonderful day!

Sharon

Hilary said...

Lucky you.. and them. :) Your photos are wonderful and the day sounds as it it was perfect... with nary an axe in sight.

Jeannelle said...

Super! So glad to see you did this. (My mom must be one of your co-workers.)

Sue said...

WOnderful pictures of NYC....I love the bicycle one...and that strange women on the right wearing glasses....Are you sure she isn't an Axe Murderer??

Sue said...

p.s. I'm surprised Nikki Crumpet didn't drive down from Mass. for a day of fun....

Starwoodgal said...

Looks like y'all had a great time. Ladies, you look lovely.

Donna Boucher said...

Oh wow! That looks like a wonderful visit! Wish I was there with you :o)

imom said...

Good friends, great photo ops and a day in New York City?!! What could be better?

Anonymous said...

So late in reading all your posts this week! I'm so jealous that you got to meet all those bloggers. I'm hoping to meet Annie this summer when she comes to visit her parents. We keep missing each other. Love the NYC pics!