Out and About

What can I say except that just as school starts and it begins to feel like maybe, just maybe summer is over, they go and give us a 4 day weekend. Oh, okay. So we decided to use it up like it really was still a perfect summer break and get out and enjoy this city. On Sunday the 7 train extension to the Hudson Rail Yards was officially up and running so we made that our destination. Except that it wasn't actually going past Times Square until after 1pm. And we got there at 12:45pm. Ugh, we're never early for anything! But that day we were. So after deciding we didn't want to hang around the station for the first crush of passengers riding the new hop to the West Side, we headed south towards the end of the High Line and made our way north. That worked out perfectly since we grabbed some falafel from 14th Street on our way over to the water park on the piers around 13th Street. Later we packed it up and started the long walk up to 34th Street. And amazingly, the girls did a pretty good job of hoofing it without complaining too much. Ice cream and lots of time to explore helped. We found a cool art installation at the end of the High Line (the new, new part was temporarily closed past 32nd Street) where you could add your own LEGOs to the cityscape. And then we were back down to Earth and off to check out the new station. It was perfectly shiny and empty which means it's only a matter of time before it all goes to hell. But for now at least, it is a novelty I'm glad exists.

 

The next day we were ready to tackle another place I've been meaning to get to for some time: Bailey Arboretum. I've seen several friends post pics from there, and I've wondered how it would be for a family photo shoot. So we drove out midmorning for a look around and to enjoy the almost fall like temps. Considering it's just under an hour away and free, it feels like another world unto itself. The girls were instantly taken with the animal rescue huts on the property which mainly house hawks and owls recovered with injuries nearby. And I loved the scenic lake and willow tree, the absolutely stunning redwoods and the fact that you can kind of create your own adventure in any direction you want. There was no clear path and I loved it. I would think a return visit for foliage might be mandatory later in the season. But for now, it was a perfect day trip distraction from the school routine that is taking hold of our lives. A day of glorious respite was just what I needed and the swing into Trader Joe's on the way past Garden City made it a well rounded day. Maybe we need more days off this month. Oh right. We're going to get them...