So, if you read the prior post (and if you’re reading this and you’ve not yet read that…stop and go back it’s totally worth it) you know how many moving parts it involved and how frenetic it was….let’s continue along.

After the last trip back there was a full 2 days of vegetation and recovery on my part, it included a newly developed fear of getting back on the plane later in the week so mentally it took even longer to “recover”. Finally, I got back in the pool and did some very welcome laps and that started to help. We also had tickets to see Dawes, a band I love and have wanted to see for a long time, at what turned out to be a very small venue, Victory North, in Savannah. The evening started with a great “pregame” dinner at Ardsley Station a 4 minute walk from Victory North where we parked directly across the street. After dinner we went to the venue and, as per the recommendation of one of the folks at VN, got there early since it was general admission and even though there was seating in the mezzanine that, too, was first come first served and limited (the entire floor area by the stage was SRO). We got seats, there was a full bar, and the band was absolutely incredible. The trip home was easy, and by 11:30, already fully packed for the flight the next day, we got some sleep.

Thursday: We had a very civil 11:15 AM flight, got a great parking spot, walked the 3 minutes to the terminal, got through TSA Pre Check easily and along with our carry on luggage spent about 40 minutes in the lounge and boarded our flight. The flight was smooth, and Tori picked us up at JFK for the ride to her home (our landing spot for the next 4 nights) and on the way we picked up Manero’s steaks, onions, salad and garlic bread, then next door for a great Stag’s Leap District Cab, to have a dinner that couldn’t be beat. While we were waiting for Paul to arrive, Tori graciously opened an outstanding Adelaida Shiraz as a starter. I grilled the steaks and came to the inevitable conclusion, as we suspected, that Manero’s steaks are incomparable. Bottom Line: You cannot get steaks like that anywhere where we now are in South Carolina, no place, not a butcher, not a restaurant, no where! It was a fabulous meal with all the components we so miss. Just the four of us, relaxed and joking.

Friday: After a great night of sleep, Paul headed back to work and we relaxed for the day (it started out kinda dreary). Sue and Tori headed to some stores to shop and return some things, and I just enjoyed the sweetness of doing nothing. We then got ready for the main event, the reason we flew back up, Tracy’s milestone birthday at Josie and Tony’s in Norwalk. To say it was spectacular and fun would be an understatement. In addition to many of Tracy’s family, and some of Laura’s as well, we got to spend the evening with Amy, Dan, Nelle, Michael, Jill and Mark and some other folks we had not seen in quite a while. The food was fabulous, Josh, Gene and everyone concerned seem to swoop in from nowhere the nano second a wine glass was even partially empty. The 3 piece band was great, never too loud but always on point. The evening seemed to go forever but then seemed to end far too soon.

Saturday: Nelle and Michael very kindly went to Alpen Pantry for sandwiches (again, like Manero’s beef, the quality of the AP sandwich is so unique it is a must stop!), we watched the Yankee game (something else I can’t get in SC) along with the John Stirling tribute, and then off to dinner at Elm Street Oyster House in Greenwich, another one of those places that Sue and I have been going to for over 25 years (we had our first official date there in the late 90’s). Their Wasabi crusted Tuna (the classic that remains unchanged and just as good as ever), Softshell crab special, and Paella were all up to par, the only small food hiccup was the disappointing Lobster Roll (minimal lobster, not in a roll but in grilled bread that disintegrated when you picked it up) did not take away from the joy of the setting or the evening. The service was spot on but everything came out too quickly and as such we were headed home before we should have been. We did get the opportunity to watch some playoff games though so that was a plus and another nice wind down to the evening.

Sunday: Amy, toward the end of the event on Friday, had said “hey, come over for sunday dinner, I’ll boil some macaroni”…so after again a relaxing morning and then watching another Yankee game in the early afternoon, we headed over to Amy and Dan’s. Paul had, on Saturday, brought some pastries, provolone, sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella and most importantly, Bastone Bread from the Bronx (more things you cannot get in SC and even though there is pepperoni and some sausage and cheese, it’s not freshly made and not as good…good bread simply does not exist here). Contrary to her statement of “I’ll boil some macaroni…” When we got there, already laid out was an antipasti that could have feed a small country (we were only going to be 8 people). While we were talking and sipping Amy was busy making escarole and beans and broccoli rabe to go with the pasta…far more than simply “boiling macaroni”. Another meal that could not be beat…laughter, friendship, wine and just magic. We eventually headed back to Tori’s relaxed a bit and then Sue and I headed to bed as we again had that same hideous 6:30 AM flight.

Monday: Paul had drawn the short straw and was tasked with getting us to the airport. This time, since we were only carrying on, we didn’t have to leave till 5 Am (far different from the 3 AM wake up and 3:30 AM depart last week). I also was VERY conscious about hydrating all weekend, and by the time we left for the airport had already finished one 24 oz bottle of water. Also, as it was not the start of spring break, the airport was not full, nor was the flight. When Paul dropped us off, we easily went through security (again TSA Pre Check !!) and within 15 minutes we were boarding the plane. As soon as I walked on I locked eyes with the same flight attendant from the prior debacle and she smiled at me, and I at her, and as I passed her she asked how I was…I showed here the full 24 oz water bottle, told her I had already finished two others and that I was fine “I’ll be keeping my eye on you..” was her playful admonishment and she did repeatedly check in throughout the less than 2 hour flight. Sue and I each had our own row, the flight was smooth, landed early, we walked to the car, drove home and were greeted by Abbey THE dog!

Postscript: We are incredibly lucky to have what amounts to a second family of these fine mentioned folks. We were surrounded by love, warmth, and laughter. Someone mentioned at dinner during the toast that we were all the family that we had all chosen. The opportunities to have so many food items that we were missing along the way added to it even more. While the prior trip ended on what seemed like the “worst of times” this entire trip was truly the “best of times”.