My Secret Boyfriend

I was 18 years old the first time I visited New York City. After my first year of college, my dad had given me a choice of either a trip to NYC or a car for the rest of my college years (estimated retail value: $2,000; we like tried and true and broken-in Toyota's a decade younger than myself typically).

My response, of course, was...both! We buy a car in California and drive it to NYC. I don't think my dad expected that response, but he respected it and we had the road trip of 2001. And, having previously only driven in Hawaii and Walla Walla, I learned how to drive on roads with speed limits above 55 MPH. It's a whole different ball game.

But, as usual, I digress.

From the moment I set foot in New York City, I was in love. I couldn't get enough. Even though I've lived in the DC area for the last seven or eight years, I took every opportunity to visit NYC. I visited so much that my friend even asked me if I had a secret boyfriend up there. The thing is, NYC was my secret boyfriend really. And will always be my love.

It had been nearly a year since I visited NYC until just last weekend when I joined some of the InstantDC crew for a day trip. That turned into a full weekend of walking, photos and fun. Here are a few of my favorite shots from my iPhone's first trip to NYC. Until next time...