It was rainy and foggy on the way back--weather which I understand, although it was freaking Jo out. I don't do snow or ice, but I certainly can drive in fog and rain in my sleep. With only one brief stop, we got back to the hotel on Long Island around 6:00 a.m. With the bad weather I didn't get to see that spectacular Long Island sunrise Jo often speaks of--well maybe next time.

I'm even scoping out the rest of New York for more outlets and came up with something very similar which I'm told is at the very end of Long Island, so get your shopping shoes on Pat, next roadtrip, we're headed to the Tangier Outlet Center in Riverhead, Long Island!! Now, getting back to our adventure. May I say with proudness that only once did we get a little sidetracked off the infamous Route 9, but almost immediately Pat figured it all out and got us right back on the road again!! Back to (almost) civilization, non-working payphones and stuffed animals for lawn ornaments!! Now, before I go on, I must tell you that I was once again shown the value of true friendship.....

You know that question everyone asks of you at least once in your life.... "If you were stranded on a deserted island, and got to pick 5 people you'd be with you, who would you pick?" Well, I don't think I made it to 5, but clearly there has to be something said when Pat didn't laugh or comment after hearing that my first pick would be Billy Crystal!! What can I say? Humor goes a long way with me. But of course, Billy was followed by Richard Gere, Ben Affleck and what is that guy's name with the dirty blonde hair who looks half his age? Ah yes, Bill Paxton!! Again, no laughs or comments from Pat, what a gal, what a friend!!

And speaking about friends..... we were sad that "our" Billy did not come along with Tony to do this show and his presence was truly missed. But, it was great to see David back with the guys again!! The show, was wonderful as always, except, no Veterans' Salute, no patriotic hymns sung for America, odd as it was still the July 4th weekend ?

Instead, Tony thrilled all of us by bringing out a very special surprise and a very special friend, Johnny Petillo!!

I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful Johnny sang all of our favorite 50's songs. His voice, like fine wine, only gets better and better. I can't believe the last time we saw Johnny was over a year ago, Johnny hasn't changed at all and belts out those notes like never before!! Tony and Johnny should really begin to think about touring together, they are so wonderful and if they "tore" up places like Atlantic City and Monticello, just think what they'd do in Las Vegas!! Wow!!!!!

Well, anyway, after another one of Tony's Terrific Shows, we were able to visit with Johnny and his lovely Barbara, along with the guys, David, Kerry, Tracy, (sniff, sniff) but no Billy :( Pat brought along her very own personal "bible" photo album and shared some fond memories with Tony who by the way looked younger, more handsome, more relaxed. Could it be that missing goatee?? Tony stayed with us as long as he could before having to leave to get to the airport, but we continued to visit with Johnny, Barbara, David, Hank, Marvin and even was lucky enough to meet and talk with Tony's cousin Cheryl. A couple of agents were also fun to meet, Pat continued to dazzle everyone with her digital camera, seemed like everyone wanted to get their picture taken with this modern piece of intricate technology, even I, who has graduated from Photography 101 is in awe, now if I can only learn how to work the darn thing!!

So now, here it is in the wee hours of the morning and would you believe? Not a drink to be had, nothing!! Not even one ounce of Smart Water!! Have no fear though, Pat, always thinking ahead, brought along a six pack of Kit Kat bars and Junior Mints galore!! A much needed distraction (for me) for that wild drive home. There was fog, as thick as soup (a mere mist, according to Pat), wild animals trekking across the N.Y. Thruway (ahh, those cute little deers awaiting to become lawn ornaments) many, many brake lights (in the not too far distance) but as always, Pat handled the road like a real Trooper and got us to "The Diner" somewhere in the middle of nowhere, where EZ Pass Owners don't dare to go or should I say are not allowed to go since now they have their own route designated just for them! "The Diner" was located on an alternate route, for Non-EZ Pass Owners to the George Washington Bridge that this time led us to no other place than New York City!! Loose on the streets of Manhattan again (without even planning to) we were able to see the U.S.S. Intrepid again, this time from a different angle, but it wasn't too long before Pat figured out where we were and how to get us home.

Of course, not without that true Miracle of 34th Street, the one escape from New York City... The Queens Midtown Tunnel. Surely after seeing that infamous Met Life building which houses Grand Central Station and after passing Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, we knew we weren't far from the only way out. I kept telling Pat that the best part about being lost in Manhattan at dawn is being able to experience a New York sunrise. Yeahrightsure, with that fog, we were lucky to be able to see our way out of the tunnel!! Finally home, back safely on Long Island, we were able to catch a few winks, have another dip in the pool and no nodding off for me this time poolside!! Although I wish I had, because just as soon as I was able to relax, I had to attend to some EMT business, so annoying!! But thank you Pat, as always, for allowing me to entrust my girls in your care, there's noone else that I would ever feel as comfortable with in doing that, especially with a pool!

Before we knew it, the time had come for Pat to get ready for her long, journey home, with another weekend well spent, with even more astonishing memories to withhold, with another totally terrific Tony and Johnny Petillo Show, til we meet again..........

jo