No, we didn't take this picture,
but loved Felipe Gallindo's
Manhatitlan exhibit at the Interchurch
Center near Riverside Church
on the Upper West Side

On the drive from Cape Cod to New York City, it dawned on us that we are really on this adventure. The past months have required an immense focus on the details of departure, and now we are actually doing our dream.  Of course we are not in the actual Peace Corps phase, yet this travel around the country, spending time with and saying "goodbye for now" to dear family and friends makes it all feel like it is happening. 

Dean and Cyndy, John and Carol, in front
Karen Rolnik and Doug Munson in back

New York City --- as our friend would say --- is really "something else"!  Coming into the city, we were to meet brother Doug and sister-in-law Karen and Cyndy and Dean Phelps, Annie's in-laws, for an eight o'clock dinner at The Odeon on Manhattan's Lower East Side.  Almost there a few moments before 8, we found ourselves in gridlock --- and thirty minutes in the car (imperfectly) practicing patience.  Hilda, our GPS, didn't know about the Holland Tunnel!  Our wonderful dinner and visit with the Phelps and Rolnik/Munsons more than compensated for the traffic hassle.  And we confess to some envy that Cyndy and Dean will soon be traveling to Oregon to see Nick and Annie.


In the city we spent a day in Brooklyn and a day in Manhattan. Walking, walking, walking, or as we now say, "urban hiking." It was great to spend more time with Doug and Karen and to have dinner with nephew Dayton, who is an awesome young man.  Enjoying Brooklyn's riverfront parks, eating amazing food, (especially ice cream), exploring the Upper West Side, reminiscing about Annie's years spent there at Barnard, deciphering the Metro system once again, seeing a silly movie, soaking in the exhilarating city atmosphere.... whew, maybe it will be more relaxing in Botswana!

Carol at 182 Clinton Street in
Brooklyn Heights

John at Barnard where Annie started
college eight years ago