There are only 3 basic activities I share with my daughter in New York City.
Eat. Talk. Walk.
She has been there for 5 years now. We no longer visit Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center or even Central Park. It has all been done. And done well.
A recent visit there reflects our common interest. We walk and eat our way through the city, at some areas less-traveled. The conversation goes on until we lose our voice.
It has always been our special connection. She was walking and talking by 8 months. My husband and son have always been the strong, silent type.
Or maybe they just can’t get a word in “edgewise”.
We walked the Highline this time, a 3 mile round trip known as a “park in the sky”. It is a lovely re-purpose of an abandoned, elevated rail line that meanders through the NY skyline along the Hudson River. On a sunny 65 degree day in Spring, it was just about perfection.
It was at the end of a day when we had already walked through Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park, Chelsea Market, stopping only for the obligatory “slice” of NY Pizza, visiting her yoga studio, and browsing the miles of bookshelves at the Strand Book Store.
Having always been fascinated with the city, I was propelled once again by a kind of manic energy that would only be thwarted by the screams from my “older lady” legs and feet.
We met her husband back at Chelsea Market for dinner. I volunteered to hold our table while they visited several different ethnic vendors to assemble our meal.
We hiked back to the subway for our 40 minute ride to Brooklyn, standing room only. Ouch.
We slept well.
The next morning, with fresh insoles and renewed voice, we headed out to Prospect Park.
vanbytheriver 
Sounds wonderful, Van. What a great way to spend time with your daughter. You make me want to visit the Big Apple! As a country girl, cities overwhelm me. But, I too have a daughter who loves them and acts as my guide. It’s the only way to go.
I grew up in a small, rural Pennsylvania town of 10,000. Since the first visit at age 9, I was hooked. Spent all my time looking up. Still do. Thanks, Diana.
How cool! It sounds like a great time to me! I can’t even imagine what New York must be like! ❤
I’ve only had 2 deja vu experiences in my lifetime. One was NYC. The other, Toronto. So odd. Just felt so at home in both. And I descended from immigrant farmers. Go figure !
Love it! 💖
Van, what a wonderful time spent with your daughter in NYC. I’ll be staying near the Washington Square Park end of May to take in granddaughter’s final performance at the Joffrey Ballet. I’d love to meander around like you did, but time will be short there, then onto CT for a visit with family. Christine
Hi Christine. What a great time you’ll have. The weather is perfect in May. That area is full of street musicians, many in the park. It’s one of my favorite places to people-watch. Enjoy yourself !! Van p.s. I’ve missed your posts. ☺
Van, thanks so much for noticing, and missing posts. I’m editing a script for a screenwriter and it’s an every day job. It needs to be ready by the end of May for a script consultant critique. I’ll get back to the posts, and a write up for a Spread the Love Challenge (Award) nominated by a young blogger friend in Mumbai, India. Good to hear the weather in NYC will be good in May. I’m excited! Christine
Christine Robinson, writer & editor. Good for you. Carry on. We’ll see you soon. ☺ Van
If you wore a Fitbit, you’d have those ten thousand steps recorded by lunch. What I love about traveling like this is the ability to inhale massive amounts of food and not gain an ounce. Woohoo! Bring me another slice!
There are 3 NYC musts for me..the slice, lox and bagels, and a Gray’s Papaya Hot Dog. I seldom leave town without them !! I usually drop a few lbs. anyway. ☺
OK, for me it’s the slice or two, definitely. And then a trip to Eataly. Have you been? Oh my heavens, the food there is just to die for. My husband is the real bagel lover in the family, not that I don’t love them too.
Not been to Eataly…yet. Have to arrive there with many coolers to take home !
That is so true. We’ve never been there that we haven’t been flying so no possibility of that, but if I had the car? Oh yes. The place is a Mecca for those of us who love Italian food. Wait. Isn’t that everybody?
I think it is everybody ! Someday….
Those activities sound like the best kind of visit. I’ve not yet done the High Line but really want to. I’m not sure how much my kids would tolerate it as a restful wander so I may have to wait until I am there some time without them.
There are plenty of benches along the way. And the views are great ! But you may be right…only saw a few kids there…maybe if you go early in the day ?
I think I should at least take them on a section if it even if they don’t wish to do the whole thing.
That would work, there are many entrances along the way. ☺
Sounds like the perfect day to me van! I saw a documentary about the Highline a while back and I love it, it was a brilliant idea. ❤
Diana xo
It has inspired similar projects in London, Seoul and Mexico City. Urban planning at its best ! ☺ Van
That sounds wonderful Van! I love that mom/daughter bonding time. Talking and eating. 😀
She inherited the “foodie” gene…very strong in my family. Her face lights up when she describes a new find…this time, a Vietnamese sandwich with catfish, pickled carrots, fresh cucumber and cilantro and chile mayo on crusty roll. It did not disappoint. ☺
Wow! Sounds bizarre, but I love combining lots of flavors. Yum!
It was a potpourri of sweet, salt and spice !
Walking and talking go well together. And then eating, too. 😀 I’d never heard of the Highline. What a great idea.
I saw pics of it on a WP blogger’s photography site a while back. Hasn’t been open for too long. No vendors, just gardens, trees, benches…perfect. ☺
Van dear ….how very wonderful walking and talking and always looking up ! Ooh the joy of motherhood for sure … you always shine and I’m sure the big city feels it as you pass by with your sweet energy as the crowds pass you by ….love and hugs megxxx
She has become a true New Yorker..never engages. I kept smiling and saying Hi. She had to restrain from elbowing me, no doubt. The big city can’t really change the stripes of a small town girl at heart. Hugs back to you, Meg. xoxox
Did you know I grew up there? =) You totally took me back. The Village was my second home in high school (and I went to Stuyvesant, in case that rings a bell). Though I was a diligent student, there WAS that (long) season of playing hookie…I hung out at Prospect with my friend’s friends who went to Brooklyn Tech.
“stopping only for the obligatory “slice” of NY Pizza”
LOL. You know it.
Loved your description of mom and daughter time. It is clear you are quite a pair.
Diana
So glad to provide the nostalgia ride for you, Diana. And that slice…she lived for a while in Park Slope, where they tried to fancy it up. I wasn’t having it. Give me the flat fold-in-half slice of old. We are quite a pair. Thanks so much. ☺ Van
Ah – gosh, I can just taste it….fold-in-half slice!!!!
Xxx
D.
I take a long time to finish…savoring ! ☺
Ha ha ha, no kidding.
p.s. Kinda jealous of you growing up there. Wonder how different I’d have turned out ???
Just emailed you a guest post I wrote on my childhood and youth in NYC. =)
Eye-opening. I’ve responded in an email. Thanks for sharing, Diana. Van
I’m just so happy for you! Lovely ❤
It’s just the best, I cherish every moment, even the sore legs !! ☺ Thanks, Angie.
I’m in Colorado with my college-aged son as I type. This *is* the best ❤ So glad you and I are in this season together, Van!
Thanks, Angie…smiles all around. Enjoy !