Two weekends ago we met up with Dave and Mallory for some camping and fun at the beach in Delaware. Beach camping proved to be slightly different than Oklahoma camping. Our campsite was not actually on the beach like one would imagine but was an extended grass annex of an RV Lot. Additionally, the weather was even less predictable than a spring day in the Midwest. Being so close to the water apparently filled the clouds with more water than we anticipated, and our second night there we were woken at 3 am to a monstrous thunderstorm causing, Gregg and I (only half consciously) to evacuate our little tent for the dependable dryness of our car. The beach was a lot of fun and despite multiple layers of spf 70 we both managed to bring pretty good sunburns home as souvenirs.
The weekend before that Philadelphia hosted a large bike race in which cyclists raced 10 laps around parts of the city for a total of 150 miles. The most infamous part of the race takes place in Manayunk, right in front of our apartment up the strenuous hill that we have become all too familiar with this year. In actuality the race is a giant fraternity party with thousands of Manayunkers lining the streets in support of beer, the official sponsor of the race.
And this past week our friends Craig and Karen from Tulsa came to stay with us after visiting New York City. We showed them around the city, took them for the obligatory cheesesteak and trip to Independence Hall/Liberty Bell, and went to our first Phillies game. Gregg and Craig had a chance to play racquetball after a 10 month hiatus while Karen and I shopped at cute boutiques in Center City. My favorite part of their visit was when Karen spotted Abby and Charlie - two dogs that she knew from the veterinary clinic she works at in Tulsa. Apparently they had moved with their owners to Philadelphia and happened to be in Washington Square Park the same time as us. It was a lot of fun to see them and we wish they could have stayed longer. ( Craig and Karen that is, not Abby and Charlie)
Our plans to move to NYC are coming along. We are planning on moving to NYC August 1st, moving in and then driving to the midwest for a summer visit before starting over in NYC. First we are going to Kansas City, then Tulsa, then to Dallas where we're going to leave our car and fly back to Manhattan to begin life without traffic. We are going out in July to get an apartment, hopefully in Manhattan. We are both currently looking for jobs and we are asking all of our friends and family to let us know if they know anyone in New York City who may be able to offer any insight into apartment hunting and/or finding jobs. Or anyone who we might like to get to know once we are living there. We are very excited and some days nervous about this big change. Hopefully we will get to see everyone while we are in the midwest this summer!
Bikers turning the corner at the Manayunk Bike Race
Bikers racing up The Wall (a 17% grade hill)
Mal and I at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware
Gregg and Dave playing "Baywatch"
Hiding from the rain
Our "campsite"
Craig and Karen chomping down on cheese steaks
Citizens Park Stadium (Home of the Phillies and the weirdest mascot in sports)
Watching the game... I guess
Being way too cute at Love Park
Looking good
Not so much
