Saying Farewell to NYC with Flowers in My Hair

Well this is it - my final post from New York City - the concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh, there's nothing you can't do, when you're in New York. (Be forewarned, I have loaded this post with lyrics. I can't help myself). I have procrastinated about writing this post for weeks. Writing a post about what I'll miss most about NYC is one of the more daunting tasks I have faced. How do I start? Where do I end? Do I include peoples, places, AND things? What about sounds, smells, or overall feelings? Do I list my tried and true favorites or new and recent discoveries? Should I include New York institutions that appear in most travel guides? And who, besides the paid editors of NYmag, has the time?! This post has been haunting me to the point of numbness and nonaction. I have started it, stopped it, deleted and saved, brainstormed and baffled. So I decided that it would be more accurate and sane to postpone my 'what I'll miss most about New York' post until I actually leave it. Until I actually miss it (sniff, sniff). So when I'm so homesick I can't sleep, I'll find comfort in writing about the city that never sleeps either.

My bags are packed, I'm a-ready to go - except unfortunately I am not leaving on a jetplane - I'm leaving in a gently used Honda CRV - queue laughter - and I actually do know when I'll be back - October - for a wedding. So I won't make this more dramatic than it has to be, but start spreading the neeews, I'm leaving todaaaaay. (I can't stop). The hotrod is packed with all the necessary accouterments: maps, hiking boots, guide books, gossip magazines, box of wine, book on tape, ipod and one highstrung pitbull - now you understand the boxed wine.

Our first stop is Powell, Ohio to visit family, which is 10hrs from NYC, through the glorious state of Pennsylvania. After Ohio, our itinerary is (loosely) the following: Kansas City, Denver, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley Idaho, Crator Lake Oregon, and finally, my new home: San Francisco! I have never been to any of these places - including San Francisco, though Scott McKenzie says I'll meet some gentle people there. He also suggested I wear flowers in my hair, which will be an improvement as I accidentally packed my hairbrush AND hairdryer in the moving van. It actually feels liberating having most of your possessions stored elsewhere - living out of a car and a suitcase. Just me and the road. Yea, we'll see how poetic that sounds about two weeks from now.

The hardest part about this move is unarguably leaving my friends and family behind. My parents remedied that by throwing a fabulous going away party this past Saturday. Nothing like good grub and a lobster pot of mango margaritas to dry up your tears! (Too many margaritas has the opposite effect, which we discovered thanks to a particular attendee - xoxo). The theme was backyard bbq and the menu was fresh and fantastic: pulled bbq pork sandwiches with grainy mustard coleslaw, brined, rubbed then barbecued chicken, black bean and corn salad, mock 'Rice-a-Roni' salad (orzo instead of that abominable stuff), arugula-watermelon and feta salad with fresh mint and a shallot vinaigrette and a multitude of delicious desserts: fresh fruit salad, banana chocolate chip bread, cherry cheesecake and even more margaritas. The mango margaritas were homemade and stored in our lobster pot for easy pouring. Fresca soda added a touch of carbonation and mango nectar eliminated the need for any additional sugar.

Corey's Mango Madness: (technically serves four, but not in my house)

• 4 ounces silver tequila (we used Milagro Tequila)
• 2 ounces triple sec (we used Pride & Clarke)
• 1 can Fresca or grapefruit soda (orange soda or seltzer can also work)
• 1.5 cups Mango Nectar or 1 1/4lb fresh mango pureed (fresh mango works better for frozen ritas)
• Lime wedges
• Ice

1. Combine tequila, triple sec, and mango nectar in a large pitcher and stir to mix. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
2. Add soda to the mix right before the party starts.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with lime wedges.
4. Have a designated driver - these puppies are potent!

'If I can make it here I'll make it anywhere!' - thanks for the vote of confidence, Frank.
- The Heat

P.S. I already have my welcome back song keyed up. And don't worry, my family is leaving nothing to chance: