Utica 6/23/2017 - 6/25/2017

Friday 6/23/2017 - Arrival

We were excited to visit Tyson and David at their home in Utica, NY for the first time.

We left home at around 12:30 p.m. There was a lot of traffic just getting out of Massachusetts. We hit some severe rainstorms which brought the temperature down 10 degrees, always appreciated when it is this oppressive and muggy. We stopped at a rest stop and were listening to Patti Smith's audiobook of Just Kids during the ride.

We arrived at around 5:30. Tyson and David's early 20th century home is lovely, and of course Tyson's gardens are amazing. We met Roxy the boxer, shy at first, who is absolutely adorable. Lacey the kitty was a bit more elusive.

Tyson grilled marinated flank steak and bell peppers, and made crusted salt potatoes. David was working at his family's restaurant tonight, so he wasn't able to join us for dinner, but their friend Steve came over. Dinner was delicious. We had brownies for dessert, and then we hung out at the fire pit, telling stories and laughing a lot. David returned from work and we chatted until one in the morning, at which point we realized that we really should get to bed.

Saturday 6/24/2017 - Utica Zoo, Dinner at Michael T's

I woke up at around 8 o'clock, and scared poor miss Roxy on my way to shower. We are sleeping in what is normally her room, and when she saw me emerge from her room she did a double take, and her feet moved like a cartoon character as she went from walking towards me to backing up.

Today the four of us went to lunch together before David went to work. We ate on the outdoor roof deck at Ocean Blue. The food was great, and we sipped sangria in the sun. I had a crispy buttermilk battered chicken sandwich with fries, and Craig had a portobello sandwich with fries.

We parted ways with David for now (we will be eating at his family's restaurant tonight), and went to the Utica Zoo. It was quite nice, and we enjoyed seeing all of the animals. These included lions, zebras, a barn owl, alpacas, foxes, red pandas, goats, tamarins, lynxes, and lemurs. The zoo also boasts a fountain which holds the Guinness World Record as the largest watering can in the world, at 15.5 feet high and weighing in at 2000 pounds.

The weather has been really hot, and we took a siesta back at the house before heading to Michael T's (David's family's restaurant). David was bartending and made me some tasty pineapple martinis. We had toasted ravioli and Greens Kennedy as appetizers. Unfortunately, after our big lunch and the appetizers, Craig didn't have the appetite to even order an entree. I, on the other hand, ordered the Veal Trunfio. It was just as delicious as the appetizers had been. Steve stopped by the restaurant for a drink while we were there. We will definitely have to return to the restaurant some time when Craig has more of an appetite!

After dinner, we headed back to the house and chatted while watching Sinead O'Connor and Bowie DVD's, cuddling with Roxy.

Sunday 6/25/2017 - Departure

This morning we enjoyed Tyson's home-made asparagus and apple sausage quiche before heading home shortly after noon. It took us 5 hours to get home, which was great as we had been anticipating Sunday afternoon traffic. It was a lovely weekend catching up with dear friends.