Raaawwrrrr!

A few months ago when I was working in Manhattan I was waiting with a few people for a conference room to clear when we started talking summer vacations. One person was going camping, which led everyone to share camping stories. And, like everywhere you go in the world, a little more than half the people were natives to the area ... and their camping stories were all about a little place called Bear Mountain.

"Where's Bear Mountain?" I asked. You should have seen the looks I got. Finally, when I got a chance to speak I think I was forced to promise that I would go visit Bear Mountain. And so, with Barbara and Bill eager to visit in August, a plan was made. Bear Mountain here we come.

It had a decent zoo, a large pool, a sparkling mountainside lake, a new carousel, a tower on top of the mountain with views of NYC, lots of hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail, which we explored for a few minutes), a cute family of dear on the Appalachian Trail, and beautiful views of mountains and the Hudson River. Check it out.

On the way back from Bear Mountain we stopped by a place called Tiorati Lake for a dip. It was one of those beautiful summer days that is overcast (no sunglasses necessary) and about 75. Perfect for just about any activity ... except taking a dip in a chilly lake. Unfortunately, the one who would have minded it the least (the H man) fell asleep with a banana chip in his mouth. 

We also managed to spend a good part of Saturday at Ye Olde Renaissance Faire, which is just about as good as it gets for a 3.75 year old with a love of princesses, stories, live entertainment (knife throwing, juggling, etc.) and fair food. H enjoyed it as well...at least as much as a 1.5 year old could.

In the last few weeks, when offered a snack in the house Henry has had this very cute penchant for climbing on the bed and making himself extremely comfortable before having this snack served to him. (Clarification from Kate: I do not serve Henry snack in bed. Rather, whenever he is walking around with a snack, think apple slice or pretzel, he bee lines it for my pillow where he likes to recline and munch. In the hotel, he did ask to have his snack served in bed; I obliged.) I suppose he wants to make the event as pleasurable as possible. Think being fanned while being fed grapes. Actually, considering that Henry really loves fans and grapes, this is probably in our near future.

Henry also got a tattoo recently. It's an upside down mermaid. I think she was trying to swim where it's better (down where it's wetter), take it from me.