A Last Day in New York City

One last day in New York City.

I drove into the city this time; it was a very easy drive. Parking is a premium but I parked under the Metropolitan Museum of Art where we were to going visit. 1^st we picked up a hot dog for Bel and warm nuts for me and we walked around Central Park. It was a nice break, just a chance to take a breather from life.

After Central Park we walked back to the MMA. Bel was interested in early Greek and Roman history and was treated to a huge amount of artifacts. After lunch in the café we were on our way to see one more exhibit when we noticed rooms set up from King Louis time. We walked from room to room amazed; it was like being in a Palace in Europe.

From the MMA we drove to Battery Park for a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. Because of the government shutdown we could not tour the Statue of Liberty which Bel wanted to do so badly. We could only look across the bay at Elis Island and the Statute.

We had to leave the city and go to visit some old friends in Forest Hills, people Dale and I have known for years. After dinner and lots of talking Bel and I went back to Islip to pack for the trip home.

Not only did I make some money but got to spend some valued time with my granddaughter, memories which we will both take with us for life.

New York City

Our son and his wife made friends with Lisa while attending UCLA so they go way back. They have all stayed friends, visiting each other on occasion both in New York and California. Lisa is a musician, has a band that plays on occasion. So I lay this background to say that we planned to visit Lisa while in New York. I’ve met her couple of times but very briefly and was looking forward to getting to know her a little better.

Bel and I hoped the train at a nearby station and rode into NYC’s Penn Station. Trains are efficient and easy to navigate.

We walked up to the Broadway district and over to the Majestic Theater for a production of Phantom of the Opera. We had tickets center and 8 rows back, just far enough to see the whole stage but close enough to nearly touch the chandelier. Great seats for last minute purchase. The Phantom, for anyone who hasn’t seen it, is well worth the price.

From the Phantom we walked thru Times Square where it appeared that some sort of filming was being set up. After gawking at Times Square it was the off to Rockefeller Center where we were to meet Lisa. We got tickets to go to the Top of 30 Rock for Lisa, Bel and myself. While we waited for Lisa we picked up a snack and set by the Ice Skating Rink that is normally shown on the Today Show. That is interesting to see but it is actually quite small up close.

When Lisa arrived we took the elevators up to the top of the building. The sun was setting over the city and we had the best view.

After dark we went to the Eataly http://www.eataly.com/ for dinner. What a food experience! 7 restaurants within the building plus specialty grocery areas including cheese, salami, pastas, deserts. We sat in the vegetarian restaurant where I had a fabulous Polenta with a glass of wonderful Bruciato wine. It was an overload but we were glad to eat some great food after so much walking.

The East End of Long Island

The deadline for our inspections to be completed was early Monday morning and since there were fewer of us at the end, we were working fast to finish up. But we all finished in the nick of time.

About 1 week before work ended I sent for my granddaughter, Bel. Bel is being home schooled this year so it seemed like something good. Bel could help out a little, do her school work when I’d be working and then we could spend a little time at the end just playing around New York.

Bel flew into JFK, fortunately while I was staying at the Marriott as it was lots closer to JFK than the Clarion. She helped keep the room organized, looked for restaurants while on the road and of course did her work. After finishing up on Monday we went to lunch with a couple of other adjusters; just had to clear the head a bit, then we went and started getting ready for home.

On Tuesday we drove out to Montauk Point Lighthouse, located on the easternmost point of Long Island.

On the way to the lighthouse there are lookouts, one the Oyster Pond. The Oyster Pond is a natural pond within the bay. The water fills it when the tides come and then fish are trapped inside when the tide goes out. The Indians would catch fish in it.

Oyster Pond

Another lookout is Hither Overlook. http://www.hike-li.org/hitherhills.htm We did not know anything about this lookout, just stopped to see what the view was. Wow, we had the ocean on 2 sides and it was breathtaking.

Once at the lighthouse we paid our $8 and went on the self guided tour.  http://www.montauklighthouse.com/  The lighthouse was authorized by President George Washington and completed in 1796. Surrounding buildings are newer and the ground has eroded behind the lighthouse. The erosion is quite a concern and there is a movement to stabilize the ground so that the lighthouse is not lost. There is a display which shows the lighthouse at the time of completion and the keeper’s house, then 3 more displays showing a display for every 100 years or so.

Montauk Lighthouse

The 1860 Keeper’s house is now a museum next to the lighthouse. There are lots of old original documents on the lighthouse and various commissions who Ok’d the work which are located in the house. After the museum we then walked up the 137 narrow steps to the top of the lighthouse. The light is operated by the Coast Guard so that part is off limits but there is a small lookout at the top of the house. One can see Connecticut across the bay.

On the way home we found a farm selling warm fresh corn. So tasty!

Lliving and Working on Long Island

The days of working in New York were much the same, drive down to the Marriott, sign in at 6:30am, work in the lobby until I needed to leave for my appointments then off to inspect. In the afternoons I’d go back and write up the estimates, sign out at 6:30pm then off to the Extended Stay. All of our work and hotels were on Long Island.

Gluten Free Seafood Chowder

This routine lasted a week and was well and good but then I realized that I could stay at the Marriott using Priceline. Wow, $89/night what a deal and I didn’t have to leave at 6am to drive down, just walk down the stairs. (Stairs for the exercise)

The Marriott was so nice after the Extended Stay which was old and dirty. I was ready for a nice place to live again. Plus I was happy that I could actually work in my room where people wouldn’t bother me. There were adjusters who just didn’t know what they were doing, and while I wanted to make sure that the company looked good, it just took way too much of my time to help with basics.

Because I’d stayed so long at the Marriott in Folsom, I’d accumulated lots of reward points and the highest status. Never mind that I’d used all my points in Toronto I hadn’t lost my status! Here I was given access to the top floor where breakfast was served, hors d’ Oeuvres in the evening, water, soda, coffee that downstairs was $3/cup. Not too bad.

Hated to move when we had to at the very end. The Clarion wasn’t any comparison.

The claims varied from totally destroyed houses, completely boarded up houses, houses being rebuilt and those already rebuilt. While I appreciated that all of my inspections were close together, I didn’t appreciate that I had the houses around the golf course, the big houses. I had only a couple of co

ndos. Some people had all condos so had time to sit around. Alas, I had to work but then I got to stay longer.

Fortunately, not all inspections were around the golf course, there were quite a few on the beach with a 2^nd bunch of inspections. It is always so hard to imagine how the storm really was when standing looking out at the beach. The water is so peaceful out, gentle waves, blue skies. Then behind is a house where waves washed completely thru it. I’ve seen the same thing over and over again in hurricanes since 1991. The power of water is amazing.

The stories, and each person must tell theirs, varied from barely making it out of the basement moments before being crushed to death by water breaking down the door and rushing in, to houses partially falling down. Others had little damage at all, didn’t leave, but because they lived up a little higher they were able to watch the devastation occur.  

A Long Island Sunset

Every storm I get asked how bad that owner’s damage is compared to everyone else or in the whole of all the hurricanes I’ve worked. I always tell people that their damage is the worst for them because it is theirs.  A non-answer that seems to make everyone feel good.

Dominican Food for Lunch

There is a group of us who seem to travel together to storms. This started in Sacramento last year when a bunch of us worked in an office and got to be friends. Now we were together again in New York.

At lunch I ran into one friend, Jim Duda, in the parking lot. I suggested that we eat together and we hopped into my car. Jim Goggled food and Dominican came up. I suggested that we go there, it sounded different.  Wow, what a great restaurant! So much food that it makes 2 meals. The pinto beans are so great; fish fillet with garlic sauce is to die for. 

At least there was good food to help survive the day. I'm going to have to figure out how to make this at home.

And It's Off to New York

I’d barely been home for a week when I got the call to go to New York. There is some program for Hurricane Sandy claims and I was asked to work as an inspector for the program. I had a choice of dates I could arrive so chose the last one possible. I chose to start on Friday; I’d fly on Thursday, arrive in the evening then attend the workshop all day Friday. Flight was booked and I got myself ready to go. Fortunately I’d never unpacked from Toronto so I didn’t have too much to do.

I’d gotten a late morning flight, probably not the greatest idea but I thought that it would give me time at home and still get into New York at about 9pm. I got a room at the Extended Stay; a friend had already arranged a good rate for us adjusters. It was about 20 min from the meeting on Friday a.m.

Dale dropped me off at the airport with my 2 large bags, each about 50#, plus roll carry on, Ferrari bag, camera bag and purse. Again, since seasons were changing I brought both warm and cool weather clothes.

I checked in, checked the bags and went on down to the gate. After sitting and sitting it was announced that the plane was going to be late. Then it was announced that it would be later. Finally the plane came and we flew into LAX. There all flights were delayed, for hours, due to weather. Oh brother, now I was getting into NY later and later. I tried to switch flights but every flight was jam packed and late.

Finally, after a very late flight I arrived in NY at about 1:30am, tired and still needing to get to my hotel. Getting to Avis required that I pull all of the bags onto the Air Tram. I went to Avis to find that my rental car had fallen off the reservations so after a long line with only one reservationist, I got my car by 2:30am. Since I’m a Preferred Member my car is always waiting for me with no line. I got to the hotel and into bed by 4am. 7am came way too early.

A Labor Day Weekend Trip

Earlier this year we started planning a family camping trip to Sunset Beach. This was a trip to include our 3 boys and families. We would take our RV and the others their tents. Jen was the main one to keep us on track for this trip. Kids had planned all of the meals except breakfast Monday a.m. and we were in charge of that. Kids were so helpful.

I arrived back at home late Thursday night on the 11:30pm flight. It was so great to be back, but also a little stressful as we needed to leave on Friday after our granddaughter was finished with school.

Since I was just on East Coast time it was easy to wake up early. I was so tired on the way home that I couldn’t stay awake at all, so slept through most of my flights. This gave me a little extra rest and worked out well for me.

We got up early Friday morning and started packing the RV, but because we had so many other things to do got off to a really late start on Friday. We picked up Justin and boys and on our way by 7ish. We were nearly at Sunset Beach when I told Dale that I was surprised that we never saw Nate/Bekki when driving. We see them on the road so many times at random places. Soon another car started following us. Now it is probably 11pm and Nate/Bekki was to leave by 5pm. But guess what? It was Nate/Bekki and family. They followed us on a wrong turn and a detour then we drove into the campground together.

We had 2 campsites next to each other while Clayton/Jen had one on another loop. As Jen had recently decided that they would stay in a nearby hotel as Fynn was so little, their campsite went empty. Then, as it turned out, Zoey was really sick, throwing up; good thing they had a hotel.

We sat around the campground and then the beach on Sat. just vegging out. 

Unfortunately, Clayton had to do a bunch of unexpected work so the trip wasn’t working well for them. By Sunday Zoey’s vomiting was going on strong and Clayton had to go back into his office for emergency work. So much for that family trip.

We salvaged the trip by going to our traditional haunt “Santa Cruz Boardwalk”. We did our traditional family ride on the Giant Dipper, love that old wood roller coaster. 

Otherwise it was more sitting on the beach, eating and just plain ol’ doing nothing!