Reunited

Connecticut: April 2-5. 2015

Pit stop on our way from New York to Connecticut

My best friend Randall (who traveled through Europe with me) moved to Connecticut for grad school a couple years ago. I have only seen him once since he moved in Florida. I was finally able to reunite with him on our RoadTrip! Our great friend Sarah flew up from Florida the same weekend so we could all be together. It worked out perfectly! We were introduced to Adrian and he, Randall, Gretchen, and I went to dinner our first night in town at a place called Geronimo's. We had great Mexican food and margaritas. It was so nice to catch up and learn more about Adrian. We went to another bar after dinner, but soon called it a night and headed home. 

While we were out enjoying each other's company Randall's wonderful roommate, Lauren so graciously blew up her queen sized air mattress, made the bed, laid out towels, as well as toothpaste, a new toothbrush, and floss in case we forgot anything. I don't think I have ever felt so welcomed into a strangers home. Needless to say: we crashed so fast. 

The Easter baskets Randall made for Sarah, Gretchen, and I for his YouTube video. 

Our first stop in DT New Haven. Geronimo's. Amazing Blood Orange Margarita.  

We woke up around 830 the next morning. Had to pick up Sarah from the Hartford airport. This crazy girl woke up around 2am to drive to Jacksonville to fly out on the first flight. So obviously the first thing we did was go to Dunkin Donuts for coffee. According to Randall Dunkin is to New England what Starbucks is to Florida. Which baffles me because I always have such an awful experience at Dunkin. But that's another story. 

We freshened up and all 5 of us crammed in the car to head to downtown New Haven. Randall gave us a nice tour of Yale. Where he works. My best friend is a genius. We saw the Rare book collection. Went to one of the biggest libraries I've ever seen. It was only built in the 1920s even though it looks like it could be 400 years old. We grabbed some caffeine from a place called Blue State Coffee and I adore their logo. The Yale Art Museum is incredible! I'm not sure why but I didn't expect much out of it. I assumed it would be some student stuff with a handful of popular items mixed in. So wrong. They had everything from Degá to Picasso. I saw my first real Roy Lichtenstein painting. I was so excited! They actually had 3 different works. I had no idea how big they were! They even housed a Salividor Dali painting. It was extremely cool. We also popped in and out of shops down the street and headed back to the house around 3. 

It took us about 2 hours to decide what to do for dinner. Thankfully we decided to go eat at a place called Modern Pizza. It has been around since 1934. Apparently New Haven has some of the best pizza in the states. There are actual articles and stuff about it too. It's not just locals saying that. And I will vouch that it is VERY good. (Chicago still takes the cake though... Well pie) we went back to the house again and then ventured out to karaoke. There is only one bar dedicated to karaoke in New Haven and it is called Karaoke Heroes! The decor was AMAZING and I'm totally redoing my entire house to match it. Unfortunately we were there for over an hour and weren't able to hear Sarah and Randall sing. We were getting very bored and poor Sarah was awake and going for nearly 22 hours straight. So we called it a night. 

Day 2: Sarah and Randall examining the Guttenburg bible in the Yale rare book collection. 

Rare books for miles. 

Easter Baskets!

Karaoke Heroes! Too bad Randall couldn't save us from everyone's terrible singing....

We started fresh the next morning and went for a hike up East Rock. It was very windy and I will say over and over how much I love Florida's flat land. When we made it to the top we posed for some pictures and recovered our breath. Then we headed back down. Randall took us down the mountain using the Giant Steps Trail. It was rock climbing. We made it and hiked to a super cute Italian market. We grabbed some sandwiches and had a little lunch. We also picked up some cheeses to snack on later. Their cannoli's were totally amazing too. 

After everyone washed up we broke out various snacks and alcohols. Sarah and Randall filmed a handful of videos together for their new YouTube channel. I filmed and tried not to laugh out loud. Everyone just talked and hung out all night. It was extremely relaxing and so nice to spend time with my favorite people. 

Day 3: the hike up East Rock

Bonding while exercising 

At the top of New Haven

Starting our journey down using the Giant Steps Trail!

Sarah and Gretchen about halfway down the giant steps!

Conquering the giant steps

Recuperating from the giant steps with yummy Italian sandwiches and canolli's

 

Filming a video. 

We woke up Easter morning to Randall cleaning and cooking. He's such a good homemaker! We then proceeded to eat and drink some more. What else do you do on a holiday? Randall had more friends over and it was a full brunch complete with mimosas and opening Easter eggs to read all the terrible things written in them. 

Gretchen and I left for New York in the afternoon. It snowed on the way home drovingn through windy roads in the mountains. It was so beautiful. But we had such an amazing time in Connecticut. I'm so thankful I got to see my best friends new life as well as a new city. There will absolutely have to be additional trips to New Haven in the near future. We can't go that long without seeing each other again! 

Day 4: Easter brunch with this bunch

Last photo together for a while