I spent the last week or so visiting my half-sister Denise at her home in Summit, NJ. I also took a bit of a quick trip into the Big Apple just to fart around, and to visit Veselka, the Ukrainian restaurant there. Overall the trip was totally awesome and I’m really glad I went. Denise and her partner Jon were amazing hosts and they have a beautiful home, a huge mansion that they’ve got totally decked out with pool table, shuffleboard, outdoor fire pit, pool, etc., etc. plus an awesome guest quarters with a killer comfy bed and a really nice shower. So it was a really relaxing time. I didn’t get to do too much bike riding, mostly because I was just exhausted and recovering. But I did take one nice little jaunt about 15 miles round-trip to Irvington. Some random thoughts here, in particular order:
New Jersey, unsurprisingly, is really nice and pretty, especially the very upscale area of Summit that they live in. Garden state, indeed.
The weather totally rocked. I really miss the Upstate New York/New Jersey weather and it reminded me how important weather is to my happiness because I roasted my butt off down in Florida. I’m glad Oakland weather is so good as well.
Denise is awesome, and so is her son (my half-nephew) Owen. Good people.
Denise has an assistant, and that totally blew my mind. I need an assistant.
New Jersey needs more bike paths.
There is an amaaaaazing diner in Summit, the Summit Diner. Perfect old school diner.
Now, some thoughts about my quick trip to New York City:
It’s a lot cleaner than it was 15 years ago, and it smells better
The bike infrastructure is much improved
The 9/11 memorial is pretty cool, at least the outdoors parts. The “well into nothingness” really captures the emotional mood of that moment and that place, like a portal into nothing. As we were standing there I looked up and tried to think about seeing a jetliner crashing into the (new) tower and it’s hard to even fathom.
Veselka (the Ukrainian restaurant) totally delivered. I bought some souvenirs and soaked in the atmosphere. The Borscht was legit and the server was very Ukrainian. Plus they make their own pilsner and it was really good.
I found my old apartment but couldn’t find my old office. Oh well.
I got the street meat, with the white and red sauce, and it was like I was back 15 years ago, as if no time had passed. Weird feeling.
The New Jersey transit train to Summit….not so great. Only one train an hour and the return train was canceled on me. Denise and Jon had to pick me up in Seacaucus
Catching up with Denise about things; about Dad, about life, about dating, was amazing and I really can’t wait to go and visit again!
