Now that we're back in the Wilds of Wyoming, neighbors have been asking what was our favorite part of New York City? Well, we loved all of it, but Central Park would probably have to be our answer. It might be funny to say that; we have nature a plenty out here, after all, but truth to tell, Central Park isn't... I mean, it has plants and birds, but it isn't really natural nature. How strange to think a born and bred New Yorker is surrounded by everything manmade- even the nature, and that fact makes it a very different experience than the trees etc. etc. we see at home. Everything in Central Park is designed to delight, to be easy and enchanting- and it  most certainly succeeded in that.  Everything felt aimed to relax and be enjoyed, from the music played to the Beaux-Arts design of the fountains and bridges, to the lush greenery that soothed and shaded. 

We laid aside a day to explore but were actually in and out of it several times, as the park lay betwixt many of our destinations and metro stops. However, we were so glad to have the time to really explore. We took a walk through their charming zoo to see the penguins and sea lions- and were as thrilled as the strongly-represented 5-and-under-crowd we shared the place with (If a five year old will like it, chances are I will too. What can I say? We're Young at Heart!) Generously, the woman in front of us in line had a coupon for five free zoo tickets, and only three people in her party, so she paid for us! (A lovely act of kindness, so we made sure to Pass It On). In fact, most of our time was spent in the end of the park near the zoo. Above, you can see the back of one of the buildings in the park- a dairy, perhaps? We also paid homage to the Alice in Wonderland statue (little kids and the not-so-little seemed to use it for a jungle gym). The highlight of the day was boating because we are romantic dorks like that, and The Boy- who loves drones- was convinced to try sailing one of the toy boats on a boating pond. 

This was actually the skirts second New York outing; I'd worn in on our first- and hottest, it turned out- day when we took a walking tour (NYC Walking Tour. I'd rec them). It proved a bit hot for that (any clothing seemed too hot), so I'd initially been nervous about wearing it out again, but it proved a perfect summer time compliment- especially judging by the compliments I got on it too.