The Lost Hawaiian: East Coast Days #4 & 5

The family was not in its finest form while in NYC- Rich got food poisoning and couldn't eat for 2 days (which made him lose 2-3 lbs...why does all the good stuff happen to him?!!). And Ryan must have caught a terrible bug on the flight over because was soon down with a terrible cough, congestion and fever for 4-5 days.So perhaps this is why, despite our getting up bright and early to take advantage of the beautiful weather on Day #4, this was our son at 10:30 am:

We finally gently nudged him up around 11 (yes, he was sick, but he'd clocked close to 13 hours of sleep already). Once we awoke Prince Ryan, we headed on the train down to Battery Park so we could hop on the Staten Island Ferry. [Sidenote: Because there are no disabled people who live in all of Manhattan, there are few elevators in the subway system and we got to do this up (though usually in tandem) 3 flights of stairs at least 17 times a day. The child looks like the Prince of Persia...and being ever-lazy, he LOVES it.]

All aboard! All aboard! (They really yelled this. I was beside myself with glee and helpfully reinforce the message by loudly calling it out the rest of the embarkation.)

The ship was escorted both ways by the Coast Guard. Don't mess with the U.S.

The beautiful NYC skyline

Lady Liberty

After returning, we walked up the west side of Manhattan along Battery Park City. I loved walking along the Hudson with the view of New Jersey (and without the ever present honking of cars). We were in search of a park that I'd read about on line that is touted as one of Manhattan's best.

We found this park first (our 4th in the city at that point).

About five minutes later...we hit Playground Heaven/Nirvana. This park (Rockefeller) definitely, hands down wins our vote for "Best Playground in the Country." It had everything- swings, trampolines, a self-propelled carousel, sand, slides, beams, bridges, shaded benches for Rich to sit on and look glassy-eyed and nauseous in...perfect for our family!

The next day we walked back across the Queensboro Bridge (this became our daily routine since we loved it so much) into the city. Rich and I loved the invigorating walks and the beautiful view of Manhattan, while Ryan loved spying the aerial tramway and trains passing both overhead and to the side. Since he was always so patient on these long, cold walks, we surprised Ryan with a trip on the aerial tram to Roosevelt Island.

The East River (the one our hotel 'fronts')

And since the tramway is right next to Dylan's, and I needed a restroom...we were forced (cough! cough!) to stop there a second time. I got a t-shirt and some bacon-flavored chocolate for my brother Joey & nephews, and Ryan got a little more candy.

Because we lead a very mindful, health-conscious lifestyle, we decided to go to Carlos' Bakery Cafe (a new one has sprouted in the city, so there is no longer any need to take the PATH into Jersey anymore) right after that. We figured the long walk justified the cannolis I ordered. :-)

The life size Buddy bobblehead...not creepy at all. (Also, his eyebrows need some manscaping.)

Who takes their child to have candy, cannolis and then Crumbs cupcakes right after?! That is bordering on disgusting. (But you know...we were walking and all, so...)

Ryan's choice was called 'Birthday Celebration' and mine was my favorite...Apple Crumble. I'd been jonesing for it since we had it at our last stopover here last November,

Our final stop of the day was a last trek through Central Park in search of second playground we'd heard was great.