Cash reserves are running low and the inside of the car looks like Fred Sanford's backyard, but Anne and Judi's Excellent Adventure is still burning bright on day 12.
Thursday night was exquisite wine and a spectacular meal in Chelsea, last night was late night Mighty Taco in Buffalo. Thursday afternoon in Midtown an old friend of mine treated for lunch, Thursday dinner was the gift of Anne's friend.
Every day so far has brought unexpected gifts and new perspectives.
Anne tried her first doughnut this morning and her first beef on weck earlier this week. I had my first Patis on Thursday. (So far I'm getting the better end of the deal, although it is hard to beat Charlie the Butcher's beef on weck).
We've embarassed each other taking tourist pictures... with Matilda the cat at the Algonquin, on the Maid of the Mist thundering into the Horseshoe Falls, with wandering Minute Men in Philly, on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art... and with Aunt Judy's new rear bagger mower she got for Mother's Day.
When I proposed the first itinerary (which is still changing to this moment)I thought it was about places and things. It has actually been an unfolding of my life before another... the people I love, the stories behind the places that matter.
There's a huge difference between standing in line to see the Liberty Bell (apparently size DOESN'T matter) and waking up to your nieces and their supersized dog.
We've shared so much richness and absurdity in these weeks, both of my country and of friends and family.
We're at the library now... on to the Albright Knox for our third Rodin exhibit on this trip, the Allentown Art Festival, a trip to the local cheese factory, a bonfire and dinner with my cousins and then up early tomorrow morning to pick strawberries before heading down to Washington DC.
By Wednesday night, we'll be back with our St. Simons friends at an Eric Clapton concert in Jacksonville -- it seems so much farther away than the miles can count.
Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs