NYC Trip Decemeber 2016Last weekend Bryan and I traveled to NYC for a few days with our family and had the most wonderful trip. I had never been to New York before and had heard all the wonderful things about the city, especially during the Holiday season. My in-laws told us they were planning this trip almost a year ago as a part of Christmas celebrations (best idea ever) so it felt like an eternity went by until the trip was finally here. We arrived in the city on the morning of my birthday, so we were able to celebrate my birthday while we were there also! We roamed the city from the second we landed until the moment we returned back to the airport on Sunday. I was a little hesitant about only having three days there because I didn't think it would be enough time to do everything I wanted (Bryan had already visited NYC a few different times, so we were hitting up the must-sees on my list this go-around). But with that being said, we were on the go from the time we woke up until the time we went to bed. Our days were filled with touring the city, eating the most delicious meals, shopping, and of course wondering the street windows filled with Christmas galore. Upon arrival I knew I wanted to check out a lunch spot in the East Village so we dropped our things off at the hotel and went straight to the Subway. This was another first for me, but the Subway wasn't as bad as what I have always been told, definitely odd and busy, but not scary. I even tried taking a picture while riding in the Subway but was quickly shot down by Bryan, so a picture outside of the Subway had to do. Bryan and I ate at Covina for lunch inside of the Park South Hotel. They make all their items fresh daily and it was delicious (I warmed up with the grilled cheese and curry tomato soup, made with homemade bread, provolone, muenster, and American cheeses). Afterwards we roamed the streets to Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, watched the ice skaters, shopped, and more before heading back to the hotel to meet up with the family. Our hotel was in Times Square and had the neatest Bar on their top floor overlooking the city. We all had a few drinks up there from time to time, it was never crazy busy since they only allowed guests to drink and dine there. A good break from the busyness down below. Thursday evening we had the most amazing dinner at Gallaghers Steakhouse. This restaurant was incredible- it is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and the people who have went there many, many years ago makes it even more neat (The Kennedys, just to name one). On top of the best food you've ever ate. I also have to mention that not just this restaurant, but every restaurant we went into was decked out in the most spectacular Christmas decor, another reason to go visit during the holiday season. On Friday we did the 9/11 museum tour which is a must see. With NYC being so expensive, this surprisingly wasn't. It cost $24 a ticket and was worth every penny. It truly documented every detail of the horrific terrorist attacks that took place in 2001. I honestly can't even begin to explain how surreal this tour was and all the things that have been kept from that day were present inside of the museum. This is something you have to experience for yourself. We wondered around Central Park, shopped some more, ate some more, watched the light show on Saks 5th Avenue, visited Rockefeller Center, and went to Top of the Rock. Again, nothing like seeing all this while it's decorated. Also the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees and garland that fill the outside of the stores make it pretty wonderful too. On Saturday we woke up super early to catch the Subway all the way down to its last stop in Manhattan to take the free ferry ride to Staten Island and back. The ferry goes right past The Statue of Liberty and has great views of the city from the water. One of my best friends from home moved to NYC this past year and has a place in West Village, so before heading back to Times Square we made a pit stop to see her place and grab lunch. She showed us around her neighborhood (which happens to be very pleasant and rather quite) and also only a five minute walk to a couple of my favorite shows...Monica's apartment building from Friends and Carry's apartment from Sex and the City. We spent our last evening window shopping on 5th Avenue, the decorated windows alone are what make it. There are also massive ornaments hung in the sky in between all of the buildings, pretty incredible. We went inside the future President's, Trump Tower, visited the Plaza Hotel where I kept waiting for Kevin to come out and jump in the limo parked out front, and checked out a roof top bar with igloos on top in the center of the city. FYI if you haven't heard of Santacon, look it up. It happens on the second weekend of December in all the big cities. Do not try to bar hop during this unless you are taking part in it. We found out the hard way when we showed up at the bar and there was a line of Santa's wrapped around the building also waiting to go in. Super thankful that my in-laws put together this entire trip and I was able to experience NYC for the first time with our family. The trip was quick but we managed to do almost everything on our list. We all had such a great time we're ready to go back and do it again. Next time- Wall Street, Brooklyn, and PIZZA!
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This past weekend we celebrated my birthday early with my family and hiked the trails in Grayson Highlands State Park and then drove over to White Top mountain. My birthday is not techinally until tomorrow but we are traveling to NYC on my birthday (never been before so super pumped) but before traveling to a crazy, busy city I wanted to enjoy some peacefulness on my favorite trail. With it being December we knew it was going to be cold so we bundled up and left out early. Until approaching the mountains we had no idea just how cold it was until we saw all the snow on the tip tops of the mountains. We were also amazed by how pretty the trees looked frosted over. I made dad pull over the jeep so we could take some pictures on our drive up to the park. Grayson Highlands is by far one of my favorite places to hike because of the wild animals you run into along the trails. If you are familiar with Grayson Highlands you are probably aware it's the home to wild ponies. We have always encountered some miniature ponies while we've been there but there are a ton of other wildlife as well (my little sister ran into a pack of Texas Longhorn Cattle with huge horns once while she was there hiking). Although they are wild, they are friendly for the most part, as they are used to running into people along the trails. The park is also known for its beautiful balds, grassy meadows, and views of the BlueRidge Mountains. Part of the Appalachian Trail also runs directly through the park. I guess that's why they're called the Blue Ridge Mountains.. Climbing up some of the boulders Drive over to White Top Mountain Snowy trees on top of White Top Overlooking the view from White Top Mountain
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