A little slice of Heaven on 3rd Ave

A WARNING: This is a long blog, but highly entertaining, you will regret it if you stop now. I'm serious.

Every once in a while you go on an adventure in a major city at around 11pm and find a place you never knew existed. Last night, our first night in Manhattan, we found heaven...

After a delicious dinner at Anthony's coal fired pizza (described as crispy on the crust, but nice and gooey on top) in White Plains with Emily and Josh, we were ready to head into Manhattan for the next few days. we made it to the train stop by the skin of our teeth, helped by Josh's great driving skills- Mike and I also put our running skills to test as we sprinted to the train to make the express one. Of course, being the stud athletes we are, we made it- like Usain Bolt. The train for a weird reason was filled with a bunch of Tony Tough Nuts and their little girliefriends going to something in NYC. Since Mike and I were pretty sure they were under the age of 21 (perhaps even younger than 18), we were shocked to see water bottles filled with colored liquids. Kids these days.

Anyway, we got to Grand Central (a little bit overrated in my opinion) and got onto the 6 subway to get to Nora's apartment. After a bit of navigation difficulties, we learned how to get lost in NYC at the most opportune time 11pm, we got settled at Nora's apartment and then went out to meet up with Mike's friend from Bowdoin- Val. This is where the night most definitely got fun.

After hanging out at Val's apartment (and getting sick of looking at the inconveniently placed hotel) we decided to go out and explore the night-life in the city. After much difficulty to figure out where to go we got to the corner of 25th and 3rd where a small blue and yellow trimmed building was located. Outside an Irish flag waved while the name was "The Hairy Monk." For the sole reason of the name, Mike decided the name of that bar was where we needed to go saying in fact "I like the sound of it." We entered, and the rest of history.

Boom, immediately we walk in and someone innocently says "look a Red Sox sign." Immediately we were immersed in all things Boston. Mike and I were giddy like two little boys on Christmas. We decided we should probably hang out there for a little while- make some friends and maybe even play "Sweet Caroline" or "Dirty Water." At the time I don't think anyone of the other patrons cared that we were from Boston (of course we didn't have our hats on at the time), but we were at home. I can imagine its one of those feelings that revolutionary's feel plotting a take over deep behind enemy lines. We were in the heart of Yankee land, but surrounded by Red Sox/ Boston sports greatness memoribillia.

When a Bar says try our "enter creative name here" drink, a word to the wise says you shouldn't. With The Hairy Monk, it was "Monkey Punch."" It also didn't stop the much smarter than I Mike McGrath Mitchell from going to order 2 to split amongst us 3. While it was a tasteful concoction of 151 and rum punch, I think all of our bodies would have been better served not drinking it. But, in hindsight, we would never have met Sage, the bouncer who was a huge Yankees fan (still can't figure that out- unforgiveable) and a Packers fan (forgiveable cause who doesn't at least have 1% of packers blood in you). We learned he was a Packers fan by demonstrating how to put on the Championship belt in a way that would make Aaron Rodgers proud. He said he'd be at the door at 2pm the next day, we said we'd come back cause we wanted to watch the Red Sox-Yank's game of course. We went back later that afternoon (see what I did there) and he was no where to be found.

So that sum's up our New York trip in a nutshell. We also made it out to the Mets game last night. Delayed by an hour due to rain, we were actually quite impressed by the field itself (even if they are in financial troubles.) Beautiful new ballpark, great sightlines, except for the weird footbridge out in right-center. While the stadium construction may have been funded by Bernie Madoff and associates, this bridge did not have to be there. Mets won in a slugfest- 5 homeruns, including 1 from Jason Bay finally rewarding the Mets for breaking the bank on him (I'm sensing a theme for the mets- how not to run an organization). And some god awful pitching on both sides. Hands down the best part of the night was our 2 seat neighbors. One knew the entire schedule for next year. Ya, what day, against who, wheere they'll play etcetra. He also just announced this to no one in particular. The other was the Queens Pavoratii. Every time a Met's pitcher struck a Brave out the call was "HAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!! STRUCK. HIM. OUUUUT!!!" Of course there were Braves fans in front of us. Of course we will continue that heckle in every other city.

Now to the mainstays:

Coming Attractions: We've been up since 630 am on our Journey to Cincy. About 3 hrs away now in Coal County PA (think border of WV and PA and then NEVER EVER drive this way). Looking forward to seeing the Reds and Rockies tomorrow, 2nd time I've seen the Rox this year- should be fun.
What I Like: The Hairy Monk. Need the story say more?

What I DIS-like: This drive is miserable- but Mike and I have had fun. Oh yea and the rain stunk- I didn't bring a rain jacket at all on this trip. And, never buy a six pack at 11pm. For real it cost me $16 for a sixer of Heniken, never again. Dude never even rung it up- just $16. I tried to question it
and I got shut down. Navigating the city too was tough

The Food Debate: As mentioned before Anthony's coal Fired pizza was quite delish. Perfect amount of crispiness + the right amount of gooey cheese. I will say though that The Shake Shack did not live up to my expectations. For the uninitiated think In N Out in the middle of Madison Square Park. Now think 1 hour line quite unfitting of the worthiness of the burger. In the debate of the Big 3 burger chains, Mike and I put it 3rd behind 1a/1b In N Out and 5 guys. Also, loaded a Footlong Nathan's Hot Dog with enough sauerkraut, bbq'd tomatoes, relish, ketchup, and mustard to feed a starving country + Fried Dough at the game (pretty sure that cut about 10 years off my life.)

DJ MMM: We've listened to a ton of music today starting with Avicii @ Governor's Island- I know brah. Really liking Sleigh Bells, 2 Door Cinema Club, and The Weeknd. Basically we brought Lollapalooza to us.

Hoping this is the longest post of the trip- but we set the bar high with New York and are pumped to move on with hopefully a cheaper section of our trip. I don't know how to load photos to Blogspot from my phone/ I forgot my camera yesterday, so give me a few days until illustrations are up and running.

Oh yea, we're going through West Virginia now. Trying to find Brooks Ryan walking along the road, but word says he's in philly- if he can read this please say hello. To quote Derek Zoolander: "Dad, I think I have the Black Lung."

That's all folks,

- W+M