Mileophile: June 28, 2014 (New York, New Jersey)

I haven't mentioned the stump stool that we acquired at the lumberjack show, have I? Well, we are the proud new owners of a solid wood stool cut from a bunny's head (you had to be there). It is a delightful addition to our travel collections, but a challenge to get from here to there. While it does fit into a standard carry-on, it weighs a ton and is all sappy.

Here little stump stool provides adequate carriage for our frosted flakes

Mile 2395
We decided that we would start this particular morning renting bicycles and exploring the beauty of Central Park. This idea is awesome. But, only if everyone can ride a bike. Charlotte is an excellent bike rider and also very adept at detecting hardship and telling you about it, and then telling you about it again, and then 3 more times. Mae and Thomas are both dismal bike riders, but happy-go-lucky. I can ride bike when a knife is being held to my person, and Mr. Bullington is Lance Armstrong. Okay, GO!

Central Park Carousel since 1871!

Rock climbing while stranded

We are off to a strong start! Two regular adult bikes with kid quasi-bikes on back, and Charlotte on her own bike. We pedal through the beautiful landscape in sweltering 11:00 am heat for .08 miles. I notice that Mr. B's cargo is listing badly to one side. Oh well, keep peddling for another .5 miles. It was downhill, so not too challenging. Mr. B's cargo is suddenly deposited into the brush, much to her chagrin. We discover that we've "dropped a pin". That is biker talk for the little ride-a-long thingy no longer functions. It was hot, we were stuck, we heard a voice. "Isn't that the Bullingtons?" I kid you not, at the exact moment of bicycle despair, a sweet southern accent cut through the chaos. "Oh My Goodness, I can't believe it, Hello, Bullingtons!" It was just like we were back in Marietta! My neighbor, Melissa, and her daughter, Kiely, rode up on our cluster. But, you know what? Melissa is an awesome neighbor and she would be happily getting my mail had she been in Marietta, but she is no good when your bike is in a heap. She was all fresh-faced and beautiful as usual and had totally forgotten her Monkey wrench and Allen wrench and other wrench. But, Kiely was an excellent babysitter while we got our heads together. And, we made plans to meet up tomorrow sans bikes. Because bikes are terrible.

Don't I know you?

Daddy pushing lame-duck bike and one child through the streets of NYC

Hanging out in the floor of the bike shop

Mile 2397
The Bullington Brigade proceeded over a mile pushing their bikes against traffic, back to the bike shop. Not our finest moment. There were beads of sweat, and tears and language of the colorful sort.
The bike people were so sweet and very apologetic. It was no one's fault. Just cruel fate and maybe Karma (I yell at my kids and it's coming back to bite me)
We decided to drown our sorrows in some street food and the Gyros, Empanadas, and sausages did the trick. I'm the king of the world!

We'd purchased the 72 hour hop-on, hop-off touristy-tour so we hopped on hoping Thomas would doze a bit and not be the evil incarnate at dinner. He, of course, was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the whole time so our plan backfired. Our tour of choice was the uptown/Harlem tour. I liken our tour guide to a Chinese Fran Drescher. She treated us to all of her best, read worst, celebrity imitations and then laughed at herself as we all stared at her blankly. I took out my earphones and enjoyed the beautiful views and nice breeze minus the commentary. She spoke mostly about herself and what New York once was (We just want to know where Sarah Jessica Parker lives, 'kay?) As we proceeded into Harlem, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a malfunctioning fire hydrant. When what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a face full of water. These sweet little babies must have known we were hot up on top of that open bus and used an old PVC pipe to squirt water up onto the top deck. It actually was quite refreshing, but not everyone agreed. The painful, soggy tour continued with such informative quotes as, "This historic building is made of bricks".
We hopped off the bus and went to top of Rockefeller Center to see the view.

Thomas brushing up on his pick-pocketing. When in Rome....

Mile 3001
We rushed back to the room to wipe all the visible grime from the kids and hop on the ferry to Hoboken. The particular ferry that we were on was one of the Ferries that assisted with the plane that landed on the Hudson a few years ago. Pretty cool!

My cousins, Win and Jill, recently welcomed their first, precious baby boy (and probably last, after Jill had to endure my crew at dinner). Jill and Win both work for CBS and have settled in Hoboken, NJ with baby Henry. It has the best views of the city without a question and such a family-friendly neighborhood. Unless your family is whack, and my kids were off the chain. This should be interesting.... The naps that should've been never came to fruition. We are 9-days deep in wonky schedules, caffeine, and over-stimuli. Fortunately, "Auntie" Lillian ,who is the mother of six, took my brood in stride and diverted their attention to elk statues and silverware sculpture. We got to snuggle baby Henry and enjoy a delicious German meal with family. And, we've now been to New Jersey! Check!