New York State of Mind

For the last 5 or so months we've been planning & looking forward to our first couple's trip with the Robinson's – to NY, to NJ, to see Bruce play the last concert in Giants Stadium. I truly can't believe it's already come. And gone.

We met Jay & Mazi at Laguardia on Thursday afternoon & cabbed it to the hotel. After freshening up we were off to Soho. We walked around, window shopped and stopped at the Manhattan Bistro for happy hour. "Cheers to our first couple's trip..."

We went to Dos Caminos for dinner & boy was it good! Their guacamole was incredible & the atmosphere was so fun.

We finished the night at this little hole-in-the-wall – Eight Mile Creek. It was nice to hang out at a legit NY spot, they're the best!

Friday we slept in, had lunch, and stopped in at Magnolia Bakery. Before we knew it it was time to head to Port Authority & catch a bus to Meadowlands.

(The concert pictures below came off the iphone. There was some serious searching before the show. No. cameras.)

Brian's take on the night:

"Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey...." This is us arriving at the Meadowlands several hours before the Bruce show. Unfortunately we were unprepared for the amount of tailgating that went on before the show. We pretty much arrived to the concert empty-handed. Luckily thanks to the Jersey hospitality, that didn't last long.

Quote of the night (from a NJ guy who we asked to take our picture) –"Nothin' better than using the porta-potty in the Meadowlands on a Friday night before Bruce." (Kristen took a picture of me so that we'd remember the comment).

This is us with the "Real House Wives of New Jersey." We met a limo full of New Jersians who had an awesome spread, and were gracious enough to provide us with food, and plenty of Kettle One. They were some die-hard Boss fans, and made our concert experience perfect. We spent several hours before and after the concert with them, hanging out, drinking, talking all things Boss. They even invited us to a family gathering that Sunday in Asbury Park. By the way, Jimmy on the far left is a police officer in Monmouth County. We've got serious connections.

This is me using my southern charm to woo the ladies, making my way to the chicken fingers. I'm sure I just said something very witty.

The build-up before the show. There was a message on the jumbotron welcoming everyone to the final concert at Giants Stadium.

Kristen's first Bruce show. She was in for a great one. It's big time that her first Springsteen show would be in New Jersey.

Jay has been holding out for about 7 shows to hear " Hungry Heart." He finally got his wish.

Kristen and Mazi becoming prisoners of Rock-N-Roll, wearing their brand-new Springsteen t-shirts.

Sold-out Giants Stadium.

Over three hours, 31 songs later, the show went out with a bang, literally. It was awesome. I've always loved the "Born In The U.S.A" album, so it was very special to hear the album played in it's entirety. The crowd loud and in to every song. I've seen the Boss 9 times, and I'd put this one up as my favorite.

Saturday we went to South Street Seaport, the Empire State Building, the Library, Bryant Park, and ate at a great little Italian Restaurant for dinner. Sunday our flights weren't until 9pm so we had another full day. We spent the day on 5th, around Rockefellar, and in Times Square. What a perfect trip – I heart NY!