Mel & Romi’s Manhattan Lock-Out: New York, NY [July 4 – 5]

The rainy ride through five states flew by as they made impressive time in Raging Blueberry. There was no time for adjustment to New York traffic as their path of entry took them directly through Times Square on their way to meet Melanie near her Manhattan abode.

After finding some amazing free parking per the suggestion of Melanie, the stallions took some down time to smoke their Dutch Masters cigars in the original Dutch settlement of North America.

Next, they had the pleasure of meeting Melanie and her friend from down the hall named Romi. Both were recent graduates of Manhattan’s own Fashion Institute and definitely put our heroes to shame in that department. Then again, matching orange t-shirts with masking tape on the back don’t really make a fashion statement anywhere in the world.

Now, both were beginning to make a name for themselves in New York’s fashion industry, and had the luxury of working and living in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood just blocks from the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden. Admittedly, the routine of work, home, and going out can even become slightly monotonous in Manhattan, which is why these ladies were anticipating a night on the town with these out-of-towners.

While the New York Subway was more-or-less dreaded by their hosts, the journeymen were giddy with excitement for the opportunity to travel by a means other than automobile. They also unknowingly broke some rules by leaning on things they shouldn’t have leaned on.

Look closely at the sign on the door...

Their first hangout place for the evening was on Manhattan’s south side at the South Street Seaport, where the wind blew vigorously, ships loomed in the pier, trash from the fireworks-viewing crowd scattered the ground, and the skyline of Brooklyn could be seen just across the water gap.

After checking out a couple other hot spots including The Village, it was back to the ladies’ apartment for what should have been a relaxing end to the evening. However, when Romi accidently locked herself out of her apartment at 3:45 in the morning when the crew was preparing for a precious few hours of sleep- leaving one campaign member’s treasured fanny-pack inside- things took a turn for the interesting.

While there is thankfully no photographic proof, they tirelessly attempted to pick the lock open using a credit card or through whatever other means they could dream up. After 15 minutes of valiant efforts they surrendered, comforted by the fact that the lock was indeed not pickable by plastic. They would have to wait until Melanie and Romi could call upon their landlord to open the door for a small fee. It was another reminder that everything in New York came with a cost (except for that overnight parking in the B&H Photo lot!).

The morning came all too early for this crew, but with good news as the apartment’s doorman was able to quickly pick the lock with his credit card for no charge. Quite comforting, indeed. It was difficult to say goodbye to Melanie and Romi and the city, but not before an authentic New York dining experience at the Skyline, where the Belgium waffles with ice cream were to die for.

The stallions arrived at a consensus that Melanie and Romi were two of the coolest and most trusting people they had met, spending an entire evening with these strangers, welcoming them into their $2500/month apartment, creating their most memorable 4^th of July of their young lives, and providing the capstone on the road trip of a lifetime!

Thanks Romi & Melanie!

The apartment

View of Empire State Building from from entrance

Oh, the craziness of driving in NYC

After calling a different state home for the past 8 days, only 22 hours of interstate stood between these stallions and their permanent home of Minneapolis. Knowing these journeymen, they could easily turn this seemingly uneventful journey into some kind of adventure. Stay tuned!