Hurricane Flo

Florian and Arko blew in from Chicago on muggy Sunday evening.

They don't travel light, that's for sure.

First things first at 47 Pianos:  alternate side of the street parking "reform."  We didn't learn what that means until after Florian sat in his car for a couple of hours Monday morning while everyone else parked on the same side of West 88th Street slept in.  Enforcement takes place only on the the final day that appears on the sign.  He was good until Thursday.

First stop:  Little Island, before noon, when timed admission begins.  

I thought sightseeing in July might be a little too steamy for a midwestern pooch but Arko, a service dog, goes EVERYWHERE with Florian.  Our pre-pandemic reunion in Palm Springs should have taught me that annoying lesson.

When we met almost 18 years ago, Florian lived in Pavonia Newport.  He's pointing to his old building, now surrounded by dense, new construction.  Time flies.

If I was ever homeless, I'd probably crash in a place like this.  Easy access to the Little Island, the Whitney and the High Line.

The last time Florian visited me in New York, only the first two southern sections of the High Line had been completed.  New condos have sprouted and the trees have grown.

Hudson Yards was still mostly a construction site. And Arko, several litters into the future.

When the clouds broke, we decided to visit the Vessel which only recently re-opened to the public.  No singles allowed any longer and it costs $10, to help pay for increased staffing.

Florian and Arko took the elevator.

Note bene:  if you're in a hurry, walk to the top. 

The climb barely winded me.  I killed time waiting for the elevator to arrive in the broiling sun by chatting to one of the new suicide prevention hires.

He reported that step wells in India inspired the Vessel's architect, Thomas Heatherwick. Kudos, guy!  Florian and Arko got a selfie at the bottom.

And here he is at the top, ever versatile.

Equinox membership would be worth it just to get the reverse selfie from that stunning pool.   

A clueless family prevented Florian from getting the solo shot I requested.  You'll have to imagine my outstretched arms and double peace signs in the center of that span:  the Richard Nixon of New Jersey. 

The view down looked like a board game.

We stopped at the new Moynihan Train Hall before heading back to 47 Pianos.

Let me tell you, Arko was ECSTATIC to be home!