Water, water, everywhere

Sunday, July 12

Considering the fact that Manhattan is an island, water tends to be an important feature of the lifestyle here, especially in the summer. There are pools, sprinklers, boats on the rivers, and many opportunities to sit and enjoy the view of the sun rising or setting over the buildings.

It has been years since I have been to South Street Seaport, but when we went there on Sunday morning, it was pretty much as I remembered it. The old tall ships create an interesting contrast to the modern glass and steel buildings in the background.

Some new features include a beach overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge

and a water taxi that takes you uptown in the Hudson River up to Pier 84 at 44th street right next to the Intrepid. Grace enjoyed her boat ride. She sat by the window looking at all the sailboats and kayaks in the river. Grace noticed the Statue of Liberty in the distance right away and asked "What that?". We told her and even though she tried many times she had a difficult time saying "Statue of Liberty" so I just told her to call her "Lady". She waved to the statue saying, "Bye, Lady" long after we were past it.

We liked the Pier 84 area so much that we took Big Daddy back there for dinner at an outdoor place called O'Hurley's. We were able to sit at cafe tables for dinner and watch Grace play in the dancing waters of a fountain as the sun set in the background. Grace and I ran through and around the fountain a couple of times, timing it so we only got sprinked and not soaking wet! (This evening I left the camera at home so I could just relax and play instead of watching the action!)

It was relaxing, fun way to end a really great trip.