Daddy Day (Overnight) Camp vol. 5, Backcountry Big Apple, Harriman State Park, Stony Point, NY

Harriman State Park
Stony Point, NY

As a kid spending summers in NJ with my dad, there was no better quick escape to the wilds than Bear Mountain in Harriman State Park.  Only an hour from dad's house, we would head up here for climbing, hiking, overnights and even some cross-country.

My friend Adam and I grew up heading out of cities into the wilds.  While I led Manhattan kids into the woods at Hidden Valley, he had served the camp circuit at Beckett in the Berkshires.  Both of us have been eager to take the kids on their first overnighter.  Now we have partners in crime.

Adam suggested a moderate hike near Bald rocks in the southern half of the park.  We reached the peak in an hour, then had a leisurely mile long stroll to a lean to where we ate lunch.  We set-up camp not far from there.  It was an amazing mid-week crowd, where we didn't see another person till late in the day.  We could have been in the real back country and we were only fifty miles from the city.

We spent the rest of the afternoon setting up our bear bag, exploring and making "gnome homes."  I even pulled out the ole whisper light stove to make a huge batch of mac and cheese for dinner.  After a roaring (sanctioned by the park service, don't worry) fire back at the lean to, we sent the kids off for an early bed so we could enjoy a little adult sunset.

Us city-slickers had a little trouble with all the racket that night (crickets are louder than fire engines I guess).  But we made it up and out in no time.  Just enough to enjoy the hike out and head into Tuxedo Park for a big diner breakfast!  What a great escape from the city, and home in time today for naps (for me that is!)

Daddy Day Camp '14 vol. 4, Mind the Gap, Canoeing at the Delaware River Gap, Dingman's Ferry, PA

Daddy Day Camp '14 vol. 4

Canoeing at the Delaware River Gap

Dingman's Ferry, PA

As the water rat said to the mole in the "Wind in the Willows," "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."  I took this advice very seriously at a young age and hope to instill such wisdom in my own boys.  They too were drawn to the water rat in the tale, and seem to love current as much as me.  We shall see.

Dad and I put in many times at the Delaware Water Gap when I was a kid.  Our favorite spot was Skinner Falls; a class II, certainly no class IV or nothing, just a fun run on the rapids.  The boys ran their first, albeit much smaller rapids today and were squealing like piglets.  Even our friend Mouna and Courtney, our family saviour, who had never paddled before was seduced by them.

We took the requisite lunch break.  We took a few little swim breaks along the way too.  The weather was perfect; hot, breezy with a few drifting clouds.  Courtney quickly mastered the art of the paddle.  Sydney was an amazing Captain and and Liji plugged away for a solid four and a half hours.  It was quiet, stunning wilderness only two short hours from the city.  It was a simple pleasure to be "simply messing about in boats."

Daddy Day Camp '14, vol. 3, Pop-ups & Roller Dancers, Brooklyn BridgePark, Pier 2, Brooklyn, NY

Pop-ups & Roller Dancers

Pier 2

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn, NY

Lanyard is back, and so is the B63 bus on another Daddy Day Camp trip. This time we headed out with our neighbors/BFFs Luke and Ruby.  After two excellent weeks together at New Country Day Camp they couldn't wait for another play date.  We stayed local, but fun and headed back to pier 2. 

It's always fun with these guys because you never know the combos you'll get. Today Sydney skated with Luke and Ruby helped out Liji.  I have memorized the official summer soundtrack, so I was not shocked to hear it blaring in the awesome new roller rink looking over the bridge and the Manhattan skyline.  Liji and Sydney love ice skating, so roller was just a refresher. 

But even more exciting was Mayor Mike's pop-up pool campaign.  This cute little one came replete with its own beach and Lizzmonade stand of delicious drinks. If it weren't for the 45 minute time limits to deal with a 60 person capacity, we may never have left.  

Smorgasburg, Pier 5, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY

Smorgasburg

Pier 5

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn, NY

I go to great lengths to avoid Williamsburg and to even further ones to explore Brooklyn Bridge Park with the boys.  So when I heard the one reason I ever ventured into hipsterville was now next to the bridge, I was sold. 

Our kids are evolving into foodies.  I know it's obnoxious, but I kinda don't care. Even before they hit the new Ample Hills stand, they ventured through Nic's bud's place at Ramen Burger, then onto the Lumpia Shack, some sticky rice at the Bamboo Bites stand and then we threw in some Bunna's Ethiopian iced coffee and Thai street roti for me and a Thai iced tea for mommy. 

We had also gotten really excited for the new features at Pier 2 this season. We desperately wanted to get our rollerskate on, but they were washed out.  So instead we old-schooled it with some shuffle board and bocce, free of charge. 

We even managed to get mommy and her preggers belly in in the action to earn a stop back at the food carts for blackberry People's Pops, bubble tea and delicious limeade. Hey, bocce is thirsty work!

"On the Waterfront" at Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY

Pier 6
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn, NY

When we first moved to Brooklyn back in '04, nobody was hanging out at the piers.  Then came Magic Mike and they transformed.  Like Bloomberg or not, the waterfront is unrecognizable from the industrial days of the largest shipping port in the world.  "On the Waterfront" was a great Brando flick to show to my students about union corruption on the docks, but I sure didn't want to hang out there.

Pier 6 was a pioneer, long before the Long Island city, Red Hook and Manhattan pier transformations.  And it just keeps getting better.  We first came to Pier Six years ago when the urban oasis of Governor's Island ferry launched from there.  Then we started hoping the B63 for the amazing playground, especially Slide Mountain and the Waterlab.  Where else can you climb a tower in Brooklyn, plummet down a hundred foot slide or get drenched all in view of the Manhattan skyline?

Today, with our friends William and Elle we stepped it up a notch.  Elle's super cool dad Andy suggested the beer garden rooftop at Fornino's and neither the ice cream, the views or the beer disappointed.  So whether you are heading off for a bike ride on the Island, a volleyball match at the piers, a free kayak spin or a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, stop here first or last, but don't miss Pier 6.

Smugg's Ski Break? Bouncy House? The Fun Zone; Smuggler's Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

The Fun Zone Family Entertainment Center

Vermont Route 108 South

Jeffersonville, VT

When the weather outside is frightful and we've already played in the snow, our family loves a good indoor play space.  The boys adore them so much, they are having a joint birthday at Playtown Express, the mother of all indoor spaces.  With a great mountain, ski school and pool what else could you possibly want here at Smuggler's?  How 'bout a space to rival the best of them.

This place was stocked.  It had your standard super inflated slide and bouncy houses of every shape and size.  There were two, yeah two, kinds of mini-golf.  I had never even seen billiards mini-golf.  Don't ask me to explain it.  We skipped the arcade, and still spent two hours Apres Ski running like madmen with not a mention of the crazy pool complex from the day before.  Hey Smugg's, you're just rubbin' it in the face of the competition. 

A Rainbow of Fun; The Loker Park Tot Lot, Natick, MA

The Loker Park Tot Lot  

aka the "Rainbow Playground"

Intersection of Walnut Street and Belvedere Streets

Natick, MA

This playground has traditionally been more of a momventure than a dadventure, but I happened to land their with mommy and the boys this weekend after a great trip to the Natick Farmer's Market on the Commons this weekend (which you can check out at my bud Foodie Mommie's wicked awesome blog.   We were surprising her for dinner that night with some pork ribs from the Chestnut Farms CSA
stand, and as mommy often does on her way back from the Commons, she stopped for a quick hit on the "Rainbow playground."

There is plenty to conquer for both tots and preK's at this lovely spot across from the famous Walnut Hill Arts School.  Perhaps that is why on this day, one of the heros from the 2008 Celtics Championship season showed up with his kids.  Our very own Brian Scalabrine was making his way through this magical rainbow tunnel with his tots.  As if having a 6'9" red-head on your playground wasn't a tip, wifey blew his cover with a "hey Brian, if you want to do __ we need to get going."

The bigger celebrity for Sydney was his classmate Catherine, who just happened to be there.  After a romp on their awesome climbing walls, and a hard core game of rolling down the hills, we settled in for a few tire swing tangles.  Check them out on YouTube as they work on perfecting their new jams "Mary had a little HORSE."  Overall, a great stop from the Commons any day.

A Lovely Tromp Through the Woods: Tolland State Forest, Tolland, MA

Tolland State Forest

Tolland, MA

Perhaps when you think of the Berkshires, you think of Tanglewood or Jacob's Pillow.  But, just maybe you came with the kids to get away from it all.  Just maybe, you wanted to be alone with the fam, not surrounded by thousands of artistic junkies.  Then Tolland is the place for you.

While the motor boats on Otis Reservoir were a bit disconcerting while tromping in nature, this was a beautiful body of water.  We opted for the "Healthy Heart" Gillmore Trail.  Not simply because we just can't get enough of that wacky mother and daughter team.  More, because I really was hoping that if we didn't go too far, Liji could make the entire trek on his own two feet (re: the end of the daddy backpack please!).

Well, we started to climb and ole Liji's legs gave out, but he opted for grandpa's shoulders (phew).  Grandpa regaled us with that time that he and I summited like 70 peaks in three days, including Mt. Washington when I was just a few months older than Sydney is now.  (It was like 20 below one night at Lake of the Clouds people, and the dog almost froze!)  Ironically we had just been there, so I reminded Sydney what a crazy idea this was for a five year old.  Anyway, we had a lovely tromp, caught up on some more salamanders, checked out the woodpecker holes and made it safely back in time for lunch.  The perfect hike.

Salamanders Ho! Granville State Forest, Granville, MA

Granville State Forest

Granville, MA

We are Department of Conservation and Resources (DCR) junkies.  I hate to admit it, but they put together a good party.  At our home base on Lake Cochituate they remove trees from your dock if a winter storm wanders by.  They maintain pristine beaches and beautiful lakes with flair.  They provide clear and accessible maps online and at each site.  I have visited a lot of state parks in my day, and I must say DCR rocks!

We set-up camp in the Berkshires this summer in Granville with dad and his longtime companion Allison.  This town is a small, former farming community near the Connecticut border, and our stay in Wildwood has been dreamy.  Swimming all day, fishing early and often and paddling our hearts out.  We went for a little change of pace this morning by starting with a hike, and the boys couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Every twist and turn of these well-maintained trails was littered with red spotted salamanders (they are both scientists, so we learned that this was like the tadpole stage of newts).  Last night, we were lucky to skip another night in the tent because it was two inches deep in water when we awoke.  But what a bonanza for the wildlife!  These salamanders crossed us at every turn.  Little peeper frogs hopped across the trail in droves.  There were so many types of fungus, my dad (or Mr. Wizard as they used to call him) couldn’t even keep up with all of Sydney’s questions.  So when you are done riding horses at Undermountain Farms, or splashing at Play Bosquet come on out to Granville for a taste of the wild.

Roman Monkey Business: Villa Borghese, Roma, Italy

Villa Borghese
Roma
Lazio, Italy

We are masters of the Metro.  We’ve got Linea A from Anagnina covered.  It may be the only way besides driving to get from here to the super-turista sites, but we’re in the groove.  Except of course when the parking payment machine isn’t working and we keep getting stuck trying to get out of the gate at the garage, (I know enough Italian to see that it thinks we didn’t pay).  Or perhaps when we get out the wrong exit of the Metro at Spagna and spend an extra twenty minutes climbing ALL of the Spanish steps to the Villa Borghese, in the rain.  Of course, otherwise we would have missed the view from the top.

 

The Borghese family clearly wielded more power than just a couple of Popes and cardinals in the family.  They were not messing around.  Up until recently, (the last couple centuries, a drop in the Roman historical bucket), they owned four square miles of prime real estate within walking distance of central Rome.  In a city of princely palaces on every corner, the Villa Borghese stands above the rest.  We didn’t drag the boys through the art museum, but evidently the collection is one of the finest in a city of fine private collections.

No, we had one destination in mind: the Zoo.  Amidst the beautiful wooden paths and mini-camper concession stands, the zoo stands alone in the minds of our boys.  We have hit zoos in every city we’ve visited.  We even sing along to the book, "Going to the Zoo," by Tom Paxton.   It is a bit of a calling card for our family.  This time, for some odd reason Liji was ambitious about the antelopes.  We never found them, we found all sorts of related deer, but along with the lions and tigers, they must have been on vacation.  We did run across some very friendly mandrills that seemed to be talking to Sydney; too bad it was in Italian.  The rain continued to fall, as we sprinted back to the Metro with a sleeping Lij in the stroller and a quickly fading Sydney.  At least this time we found the right entrance.  

The Back Nine Winter Redux: Lake Cochituate State Park, Natick, Wayland and Framingham, MA

Lake Cochituate State Park
Natick, Framingham and Wayland, MA

We hadn't planned to move to Natick from Brooklyn. It was too rural, too far from our jobs and too full of adventure. Despite the long commute, it has been a blessing in disguise. Life on the lake is just minutes from the intersection of Rts. 9, 30, 27, 117 and the Pike; we are at the epicenter of the MetroWest dadventure universe. In the summers you'll catch us paddling, swimming and catching turtles on the "pond." It is a far stretch from my tiny plot of a yard growing up in Newton.



It was the winter that I wasn't expecting. There are no "ponds" to skate on in Newton. Here in our backyard our neighbor snowblows out a rink for hold family hockey games. Our babysitter is a Natick Comet hockey all-star, dragging her parents across New England and up into Canada every winter weekend. We've added ice skating instructor to her list of "mommy's helper" jobs after school. She already does a great job with his favorite Mercer Mayer books, we hadn't even checked out "Skating Day" yet.



But it's the snow that transforms this park. Lake Cochituate is a thin strip of land surrounding all of the lakes. When the it falls, we throw on our skis, head across the lake and up into Lakeview Cemetery in Wayland for a few turns of the teles down the hill. A winter wonderland indeed.

Sleds Away: Elm Bank (Winter Redux), Wellesley, MA

Sydney comes prepared for the elements with his game face and his board. I think he won.


Elm Bank Reservation
900 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA

Sure, I reported on Elm Bank in the height of the summer when the flowers of the Massachusetts Horticultural were in full-bloom. But one of the simplest pleasures of living in New England is how radically the seasons can change the face of a place. As we turned in to the bridge entrance over the Charles tributary Sydney and I didn't even recognize the place in its new blanket of snow. (In fact he didn't believe me that we were at Elm Bank, even though he and mommy come here regularly and the kid has the memory of an elephant). Grandma from Jane Brett's The Mitten would never have sewn us the white ones on this day, as the wind made little snow devils across the field.


It's been a dadventure extravaganza this week; cross-country this morning, downhill the day before, skating, museums, Playtown, etc. What was possibly left to do in this winter wonderland? Whoops, we forgot to go sledding! It might have been 20 degrees and 35 mile an hour winds, but Sydney never noticed. He held on to that sled like he was preparing for the Vancouver 2010 games, (we can only hope!) The pitch was perfect for a future luger. Only a run with dad on board ended in a face-full of snow and promises of Bakery on the Common's hot chocolate fairies dancing through our heads.