What is it about that city?

I took Grady back to New York, New York yesterday.  The car was fine, made it past Saratoga Springs without the engine throwing a tantrum.  Every time we go to New York, New York we take the George Washington Bridge onto Manhattan but we're never too sure if we want the upper level or the lower level and invariably end up getting lost.  We done good this time, hooked up with the Harlem River Drive and the FDR and then couldn't find our way into Brooklyn.  We kept driving around, Grady pointing out landmarks she recognized, (oh wait I guess that isn't entirely accurate), circling and closing in on Calyer Street.  Except Calyer Street is one-way and apparently WE ARE AT THE WRONG END OF IT!  We finally got to 139 Calyer and found a parking space right out front with snow piled up all around that made me feel right at home.

X's and O's and a quick goodbye.  I've got to get back to Vermont.  This is where things get interesting.

Instead of finding my old friend Major Deegan and his highway I end up getting acquainted with the Queen and her Midtown Tunnel and end up back in Manhattan.  Well I figure if I just head west eventually I'll end up in New Jersey and be able to head north.  Tried a couple of times to get into the Lincoln Tunnel but kept missing the entrance.  Let's go south and see what they got shall we?  Oh look a sign for the Holland Tunnel, I've heard of that.  After about three shots at hitting the entrance to this tunnel I finally find myself coming up for air in a part of New Jersey that closely resembles the set of The Sopranos.  There I am able to find Interstate Highway Number 95 which I'm sure will head north.

Yeah, north to the friggin' GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE!!  Welcome to Manhattan, have a nice day, would you like the upper level or the lower level?  I know what you're thinking.  "Why doesn't he pull over and use the Hagstrom New York City Large Type Street Atlas sitiing in the back seat?"  What and toss generations of male driving traditions to the curb?  Not on my watch.

My relationship with New York, New York can be summed up as follows.  It consists of one-way streets which I am always at the wrong end of and exits from its highways which off-ramp to the left if I'm in the righthand land and to the right if I'm in the lefthand lane.

Back in Ripton now, watching 2-3 inches of light powder making its way gently to the ground.  Big pot of tomato soup cracking a bubble and bread rising in the kitchen.  You know I love you Grady and I'm just kidding when I say, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME DRIVE DOWN THERE EVER AGAIN.  Either that or buy me a GPS for Christmas next year.

Love you all.  Peace.  Peter