transformer fire = mommy weekend

joani was in boston for a business conference.  a transformer exploded leaving her conference hotel in darkness.  her school district paid an obscene amount for her flight so changing her return from the east coast to salt lake cost a measly $150.  joani hopped on an amtrak acela express and arrived in penn station in new york city on friday afternoon.  we got to spend the weekend together.

joani has been to new york multiple times so it was time to come up with alternate activities.  it was even better that there were a couple of things i wanted to do that she could do with me.  

first on that list was attending the 9/11 memorial.  we arrived downtown after a yummy brunch at rosa mexicano and purchasing a green st. patty's day t-shirt in times square.  got through the memorial's security and entered the memorial.  it was slightly disconcerting to be in a memorial amidst massive amounts of construction.  yet, it was peaceful and somber.  i have never stood where the towers were so that ground felt sacred.  it was a beautiful memorial.  

joani at the south tower memorial

only surviving tree from original plaza that was nursed back to health

then joani and i headed to the west side to walk along the newly developed highline park.  it was a gorgeous day and nice to allow the sun hit our faces as we walked from 14th street to 32nd street along an elevated train bridge.  then sunday came and we rested.

on monday we enjoyed a somewhat leisurely morning.  headed out to laduree to introduce joani to the goodness of parisian macaroons.  they are really, really good.  joani even called me from the airport to expound on the goodness of the pistachio macaroon.  after picking up the goodness we went to shake shack to enjoy one of the best burgers in the city in my humble opinion.

joani is excited for her first bite of her shack burger

then we gathered her belongings and headed to my office in rock center to drop the bags before going to the 67th floor of 30 rock to see the new york skyline from midtown.  it was a gorgeous afternoon and very thin crowds at the observation deck, which was an added bonus.

took joani's suitcase, back pack and purse with us on the E train to the air train to JFK.  taught joani the joy of subway patience.  we avoided the first crowded E train for the next one and were able to get a seat the entire 40 minute trip.  win-win.  dropped off joani at the air train where she exited at terminal 2/3 for her delta flight back to SLC.  i hopped back on the subway and made a stop at grand avenue in queens for a little target shopping.  i figured i was already in queens, might as well take advantage.  

very happy that a transformer lit on fire so joani could do quite a bit of boston sight seeing and then come to spend the weekend with me.  not sure if seeing me, eating a laduree macaroon, seeing the updated Footloose movie, 9/11 memorial or her brunch at rosa mexicano was her top weekend highlight though.  i'm selfishly choosing to believe it was me; but only barely.

and thank you to the weather gods for the absolutely superb weather we enjoyed while she was here!