All about Keira
4:29 AM
Once upon a time, I worked in Juneau, Alaska. The Summer of 2012 I was assigned a roommate who would also be working for HAP. It could have been a disaster. I could've had a pothead for a roommate. Really.
Instead, I was blessed with a fantastic person and darling friend!
We had crazy, amazing adventures on the West Coast so when we both found ourselves on the East Coast this summer, we had to have a reunion.
So much to see, so little time
Got Sprinkles ice cream instead! This is their red velvet flavor. Not too bad. Not my favorite though. Also, I was warned not to eat the ATM-style cupcakes. I guess you can order your cupcake from outside. But only try it if you like your cupcakes stale. ;)
This midtown Hilton has some great stories. Not only is it the Hilton in which Keira has stayed for her model UN, but it is the same place where we share a special Larson memory.
Last year, we flew into JFK for a quick weekend in Connecticut when Nick (BIL) got home from an LDS mission to Brazil. Our flight from SLC had been circling over Pennsylvania awaiting permission to land. We circled so long, we were getting low on fuel and were directed to Detroit to land and refuel.
This part of the story is so that you know that we got to the hotel MUCH later that anticipated. Since we didn't check in, our rooms were probably given away so Bruce stood at the desk while the desk attendants attempted to find enough room for 7 of us that had arrived at 2:00am. The attendants whispered to each other, clacked away on the keyboard and then went 'in the back'. One guy came back and asked, 'Mr. Larson, would you be willing to be upgraded to the penthouse suite for no extra charge?'
Yes! Duh.
We grabbed our bags and followed an attendant to the correct elevator, got out at the highest floor and followed to the next elevator. This very small elevator opened only with our room key. What?
We stepped out into the two-story penthouse, gawking at everything. The spiral staircase. Modern art. The view. A secret bookshelf door that led from the study to the kitchen. There were huge rooms with canopy beds and plenty of room for us all. It was lush, spacious and amazing. Too bad we were only there for a few hours to sleep.
We discovered that it used to be Lucille Ball's private apartment. Nbd.
A rocking horse bush. By Jeff Koons. (He's a really big deal.....according to cabs across the city, fashion loves him)
We were running low on battery for our phones so we cheated the system and visited Grand Central Apple Store and charged our phones while we played games on the demo iPads.
The Brooklyn Bridge at night is stunning. The brightest light out there is the Empire State Building.
The strongest lemonade ever. But very, very real. Not a speck of powdered or artificial flavor in that jar there.
Omelette was delish. Great biscuit (still love Ruth's Diner mile high biscuits more) and yummy potatoes!
This area is the public use area of the Hudson in which a volunteer group operates a free kayaking place!
All volunteer operated means they run off of donations so bring a few bucks because it's worth it. They have everything you need: life jackets, paddles and the kayaks. If you're a kayaking veteran, be aware they don't have spray skirts so dress accordingly. You WILL get wet.
We were taking fun group selfies until we realized we were missing the best back drop.
We have been trying to eat our way through a list 'Best Thing I Ever Ate' from a good friend who is a major foodie. It's still ongoing. This list is loooong.
This girl got soooo close to Keira on a subway car with broken A/C. At one point, she was mimicking Keira's posture. Cutie.
I brought her out to the balcony as soon as she got here. The view took her breath away the first time she saw it. We had to go say goodbye here, too.
Love you, dearest Keira!
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