Pivot and Pause in New England

NYC: The Summit One Vanderbilt

A new cultural experience that truly hits all your senses! The Summit! NYC sights in the heights!

While it was one of the first beautiful spring days in NYC the staff at the Summit did a great job getting everyone in and once you reached the top it was better than I expected.

Different senses were ignited by each artistic level and room. You can even go up in a glass elevator. Given I have a fear of heights that wasn’t for me but certainly looked cool!

Best to be truly present to see beyond the incredible views of the city and appreciate all the offerings. Don’t forget to even lay on the floor and look up!

Get tickets on line to speed things up and enjoy!! Great birthday or other celebratory event!

Couple this weekend with a Broadway show and you’ve got a great day! I did.

TIP: if you have time for only one sight in the heights type of event, I would select this over The Edge in Hudson Yards.

NYC: Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Every year for over half a century it rains on or within a day of my birthday. Not the kind of refreshing type of rain but the winter worn colder than expected all day type of rain. In its anticipation I opted for a day in NYC where there are so many great indoor options like the Museum of Modern Art.

Some old favorites and some new favorites popped up as I walked around the multi level museum.

Last year I very much enjoyed the Kusama exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden.

Fun to find a unique chair designed by her nearby the original Andy Warhol Campbell Soup cans.

Additionally, the Japanese architect , SANAA, is also displayed here for their creation of a unique buildings who also architected the meandering river building at a non profit in New Canaan, CT, Grace Farms.

Don’t forget to take a peek outside as you go from floor to floor. NYC can be beautiful at every angle . . . Even in the rain.

Buy tickets on line to avoid the crowds.

Wash DC: Dunbarton Oaks Garden

A hidden gem with a plethora of enclaves in Georgetown. A walk in luxury for a $7 ticket.

While I still need to research the full history, the landscaping of this home continued from the moment it began in 1930 with wonderful attention to detail.

It was a pleasurable surprise to turn each corner even on this early spring day to see the rolling landscape and accents to engage you through sight and scent.

Walking through the emerging Spring garden I expected to see bunnies and frogs scurrying about in anticipation of the upcoming holidays.

Located in Georgetown I look forward to a return to see what else might pop up!

1703 32nd Street, NW

NY: Bronx: NY Botanical Garden- Orchid Show

I was born in NYC. The hustle, the bustle, Broadway shows, the subway, the late nights, the early mornings and yet it took me all this time to just STOP and smell the orchids!

Fortunately rain or shine, cold or hot, you enter the conservatory and enter a rainforest manicured to perfection.

This years kaleidoscope theme with mirrors and vibrant tunnel colors complemented the landscape elegantly.

I took this opportunity to become a dual member of NYBG so I can return any time with different friends! The membership includes the Orchid Show and their annual holiday train show!

Grab a friend, smell the flowers and then go over to Arthur Avenue for lunch! The day left us more than satisfied!

Wash DC: U.S. National Arboretum

The National Arboretum called my attention for several reasons- it’s the site of more cherry blossoms, one of its attractions was listed in Atlas Obscura and a friend of mine recommended it.

Atlas Obscura shared : IN 1958, THE SANDSTONE COLUMNS that had supported the east portico of the U.S. Capitol since 1828 were replaced with newer, marble columns.

They were brought here to view. It felt like a little bit of Rome to us.

3501 New York Ave NE

Wash DC: The Cherry Trees

110 years ago on March 27, 1912, the first two Cherry Trees were planted on the Potomac river near the Jefferson memorial as a gift from Japan.

As I had never seen them but heard they were at peak, it was so much fun to wake one of my oldest friends and ask if she’d meet me there. Me coming from the North and she from the South.

We walked a while as we navigated our way through and around the National Mall and the Smithsonian finally to arrived at the Jefferson Memorial for our photo ops.

At friends for over 45 years, I think it’s about time we planted a tree to commemorate.

TIP: We tried the wharf for dinner but even on this early spring Thursday night reservations were needed everywhere.

CT: New Haven: Yale Art Gallery

An afternoon in the museum to include Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Trumbull amongst my favorites but so much more.

I spent a great deal of time in front of this mural with all the hidden imagery.

Turn around and step outside to the sculptures overlooking New Haven.

Even the views out the windows were breathtaking. So many interesting doorways and ceilings, and nooks and crannies.

Fun fact: John Trumbull (famous painter of the American Revolution) and his wife are in a casket in the basement of the Yale Art Gallery. If moved, his request is his paintings also be moved . . . To Harvard!

No better way to round out the day with Pizza from Frank Pepe’s and pastry from Libby’s Italian pastries in nearby Wooster Street.

CT: Fairfield County: Ridgefield- Deborah Ann’s Sweet shoppe (Hot Chocolate)

While known for it’s ice cream, I was fortunate enough to discover they serve one of the best Hot Chocolates in the area.

Now I admit it was only in a covered cardboard cup but within was Belgium Chocolate, milk, vanilla with a hint of cinnamon. Of course, with whipped cream on top!

Oh yes, definitely stop in while there’s still a chill in the air and you can grab a table in their old fashioned parlor. Yummy!

381 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT

CT: Fairfield County: Naugatuck Greenway & Indian Wells

A little bit of Europe in CT walking along the Naugatuck Greenway on Housatonic River.

The greenway starts in Derby and is planned for 44 miles to Torrington.

I walked a while and found several routes and signs of spring with the weeping willow starting to green and trees filled with cardinals and orioles.

There were several areas with geese coming in and out of the water and I somehow grew intrigued by his big webbed feet. As I approached a biker seemed to heed warning and the geese family yelled and chased me!

Next time I’ll return with my bike for a quicker getaway when the greenway is further expanded.

For now I stopped at Three Bridges coffee for a latte which had lovely seating areas and fun items for purchase at 415 Howe Street, Shelton.

A brief stop at Indian Wells park for a bite by the water and a fun visit to the waterfall completed todays adventure.

CT: Fairfield County: Cherry Grove Preserve

No matter how old you are; continue to feel young and learn new things! Don’t be limited by what you thought you already knew.

It was a slightly premature visit to this preserve in Newtown after a bit of a rain but it’s entrance was so welcoming I rushed into the arms of this magnificent tree.

I look forward to my return to visit the tree and learn more about the land of the original Cherry Grove Farm.

15 Palestine Road, Newtown, CT