Leaving New York City

Our time in New York City was short.  Wednesday was our only full day here.  It was cloudy and hazy Wednesday morning so I did laundry, and late morning Keith and I walked around the park at the marina for a bit.  After lunch we got motivated and put a coat of Semco Teak Deck Sealer on the outside decks which it was time to do ( the once a month deck conditioning comes around fast).  Not long after finishing with the decks, the sun actually came out and we sat on the back part of the fly bridge and Keith had a cigar and gin & tonic while we enjoyed the view of lower Manhattan.

Our highlight in New York were plans to meet with good friends Jeff and Barbara Harris this evening for dinner in Little Italy.  We left a little early to take the water taxi across to Manhattan and see the 911 Memorial before meeting Jeff and Barbara.

Reflecting Pool

One World Trade Center

After seeing the 911 Memorial area Keith and I walked up into Little Italy to meet Jeff and Barbara.  They had made reservations at La Mela an authentic Italian restaurant.  They serve a family style dinner with multiple courses.  Appetizer was tomato and mozzarella.  The antipasta was asparagus parmigiana, stuffed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and spiedini alla roma ( bread cubes soaked in wine and olive oil then baked with cheese).  3 main pastas came next and they were gnocchi, rigatoni pomodoro, and tortellini (OMG).  The meats were next which consisted of shrimp marinara, veal francaise, and chicken scarpariello.  As if that was not enough food, desert was several Italian favorites.  It was tartufo, cannoli, tiramisu, Italian cheesecake, and zabaglione with strawberries and bananas.  We were in foodie heaven.

The pasta dish

The deserts

The only thing better than the meal was the company.  It was a highlight of our trip to spend the evening with Jeff and Barbara.  What a nice time.  We wish them calm winds and smooth seas as they begin their move onto their boat Lucky Star.

All of us at dinner.  Left to right Captain Keith, Captain Jeff, Barbara, and Me (Gail)

Thursday we are heading up the Hudson River, overnighting in Haverstraw, NY and then going on to Poughkeepsie where we will stay for about a week and rent a car to do some sightseeing.