When I said I was going upscale this month, I meant it. I spent a week in Helen and Tim’s lovely Brooklyn Heights apartment, across the street from the Brooklyn promenade with its very own guest room, which for me meant my very own bed. I think Helen mentioned that there was an extra bedroom when she first emailed me after the NY Times article, but I had completely forgotten about it. The apartment is large with hands down the best library so far (bonus points for lots of NY books) and lots of Tim’s superb photography in the space. In fact, my bedroom for the week used to be his dark room.
Not to outdone by the Brooklyn Heights apartment was a home “in the country” in Hurley, New York. Part of what excited Helen and Tim about hosting me was sharing this home, and I quickly understood why. It’s a just a relaxing place with a sunroom, a place to read and write, have a few cocktails and slow down. Hurley also happens to be New York’s first capital. I took an early Sunday morning bus to Hurley from the Port Authority, and two hours later I was in beautiful nature. This was the first time I met Helen and Tim, although we had talked a fair amount on the phone. Helen and I went for an amazing hike at Lake Minnewaksa. I am definitely planning on making more trips upstate after this experience.
There had been a lot of rain the night before so the 2.5 hour hike was a bit challenging at times. Look at Helen’s athleticism!
I met a couple of their friends who also have a home in Hurley. We had lasagna (secret ingredient: chicken liver) on a beautiful candlelit table, which is the norm when dining with Helen and Tim, even if they are alone. I like this idea.
Back in Brooklyn, we strolled the Promenade
on our way to Iron Chef for sushi for the nomad sponsored dinner. We brought our own wine to Tutt Café and Helen and I had breakfast at the local diner the morning that I went home for Easter. I was also treated to a “perfect Manhattan” with Rye whiskey made by Helen (the way its supposed to be made according to her. A walk to Dumbo took us to Superfine – a hip spot that Brooklyn Heights doesn’t really have (I want to stay in Dumbo so email me!) We listened to music and shared some of our favorite music. I’m generally fascinated talking to the both of them, mostly because they are interesting but also because Tim is English and Helen is Scottish. I love the accents and I think they are the first people I’ve stayed with who were not born in the United States. She has some excellent stories of New York which I will be sharing in my interview.
As I mentioned, Tim is a photographer. He captured me with this shot. He provided some inspiration for me and I bought a flash so I can start taking portraits of the people I’m staying with. I love the photos I took of my host Esther in Boerum Hill.
Other highlights from the week included the ability to bike to and from work most days, which affords views like this.
And finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I nomadded with my friends Remy, Thomas and Chine on the Upper West Side one night. Chine has since left for France, but just couldn’t leave New York without hosting ;-)
All in all, another great week, capped off with a visit to my parents in Bridgewater.
Related articles
- The NYC Nomad in the West Village (on Perry Street) (thenycnomad.net)
- brooklyntheory: Sign, Brooklyn Heights (thenycnomad.tumblr.com)
- It’s Free to Look: Versatile Brooklyn Heights Duplex (observer.com)
- The NYC Nomad in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (On Prospect Place) (thenycnomad.net)
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