These trips to New York do not mark the first time I’ve been there. In my twenties I used to take my Toyota truck on mini adventures and New York City wasn’t that far from Cleveland.

I don’t remember the drive there, though I suppose I listened to music and daydreamed. Perhaps I even listened to some of Henry Rollins’ Spoken Word CDs I had borrowed from Will. I would end up meeting Rollins in L.A. at LunaPark when I attended a Spoken Word concert.

I asked my dad what he remembered about my trip to NYC. He didn’t remember much about that trip, just the one I took out to L.A. “Nothing really happened when you went out to New York.” I told him that’s because his lecture beforehand had me worried someone would steal my truck if I walked away from it.

“Then I did my job,” he said proudly.

Both my uncles had been to the City of New York in their youth. My Uncle Fermin lived there for a brief time, but my Uncle Ralph had gone to visit. Legend has it he was told not to look up at the buildings, or people would know he was a tourist. He did anyways and was promptly mugged.

My trip would mostly entail driving around for several hours. Driving through the city was thrilling and I may have gotten carried away. I remember vividly whooping at one point. I want to say my hand was raised like a cowgirl… but who would do something like that?

Me. I did it. Full disclosure: I was also playing “Cowboy” by Kid Rock.

I would view this activity of driving the city completely different as an adult. Will’s Uncle Tom and cousin Alexandra took me into the city for my first appointment. I sat in the front passenger seat and would bring my leg up as though this alone would stop an accident. I was surprised as people walked into the street inches from passing cars with NO clear regard for their own safety!

Now I am one of those people. Hmm.

The first time I drove myself into the Manhattan after bringing my car back up with me to New York I was a bit less concerned. I still clutched the steering wheel in a way that surely (don’t call me Shirley) would make a race car driver proud.

I had an early appointment and drove over the bridge into the city just as the sun was rising. It’s reflection off of the buildings was breath taking.

Driving went mostly well. My Suburban was older and I think other drivers thought I wouldn’t mind another ding. That day I learned the lines on the the road are more of a suggestion than anything else.

Driving and walking aren’t the only way I’ve seen the Big Apple. I rented a bike a couple of times. If you want to experience an adrenaline rush, I highly recommend it. Only children are allowed on the sidewalk, everybody else rides with traffic. Each time I rent one, I think of the guy I saw nearly get squished between a bus and a taxi.

Still, I enjoyed it. It was exhilarating! The first time I rented a bike was during the St. Paddy’d Day Parade. There’s a lot of camaraderie among parade goers. It’s  where I took this selfie. A stranger made it one of my favorite pictures.

The second ride was through Central Park and it was beautiful. When the clerk asked me what I was doing here from FL (she was looking at my ID), I told her. She gave me a 75% off coupon for my next visit and even though I had rented the bike for two hours, she told me to come back whenever, as long as it was before they closed for the night. It was very sweet of her.

I think I’ll use that coupon this summer.

Wish me luck.