Enjoy Life, Wherever You Are: New York New York

Our FREE rewards flight booked months ago on Southwest Airlines....Dallas to St. Louis, St. Louis to La Guardia, New York City. We booked when the Wright Amendment was still on the books. Although it was recently recinded it was too late for us. We lucked out on the way to St. Louis with a vacant seat between us. The ride to New York was PACKED....not one empty seat. But it did give me a chance to read 3/4 of the book GONE by James Peterson and Michael Ledwidge. Easy reading murder mystery, if a murder mystery can be easy reading.

1st glimpse of Empire State Building from Queensboro Bridge

The ride was a little bumpy as we approached New York City. A lot of clouds with a storm scheduled to arrive tonight. Awesome flyover New York City under the clouds. Aerial view of Central Park and Manhatten. Shared ride to the Hilton New York, or Hilton Midtown, or Hilton Grand Vacation Club or Hilton Avenue of the Americas....all referring to the SAME Hilton. Could not find an easier way to confuse me than give the same building 4 or 5 names. The Shared Ride set up through Viator was packed, which provided an opportunity to talk to strangers. Turns out one met an author while waiting for her luggage. He was on his way to a book signing ... John Andrew...so I have a new author to read. And of course there is always talk of cruises when two older couples get within range.

Our luggage sustained yet another injury. Although they look sturdy, I suspect they are more prone to injuries than we suspect. We already lost one due to wheels giving out. Terry had to CARRY a rolling suitcase. Despite the honking and screeching of tires and horrendous NY Traffic, we arrived at our hotel in one piece.

Room 3837 - 38th floor of the Hilton Grand Vacation Club. Nice rooms with a living area, bedroom, great tub and shower, but not nearly as ostentatious as the Hilton Grand Vacation Club in Las Vegas. It was at the end of that presentation we bought this trip to Hilton GV New York. We did partake of the free happy hour (sans alcohol) where I had my first encounter with a wonderful espresso machine. I want one, of course. I must have had 5 espressos in 30 minutes and I would have had more but I didn't want to be too piggish. I'll have to take a picture of it so I can remember what kind it is. Munchy foods - vegetables, fruits, won tons, pita bread, hummus...happy hour on the 37th floor...then apple pie and cake bar for dessert from Herb N Kitchen in the lobby. Ran across it during the completion of my 10,000 steps, one floor at a time. 38 flights is a lot even if it is all downhill.