a grand day out

Blake had permission to skip work yesterday, so we hopped on a Coney Island-bound train to show Garrett the fish at the New York Aquarium. We arrived just in time for the sea lion show in their Aquatheater. The pinniped star was about as trained as they come, and watching his tricks definitely made sitting in the hot sun to do so worth it.


Garrett's favorite part of the outing was running speedy quick from exhibit to exhibit, hardly pausing long enough to get a decent look at the creatures swimming behind the glass. My favorite part was watching him happily swinging his arms as he did so, especially when they came together in front of him in an excited clap. He may not have stayed long at each display, but he almost always had enough time to make fish faces as he tapped on the glass to prove to Blake and I that he knew what it was he was looking at.


This aquarium is not too large and, aided by Garrett's swiftness in viewing the various exhibits, it didn't take us long to see just about everything there. Before heading home, however, we walked along the Coney Island boardwalk to pick up some Nathan's Famous hot dogs for a late lunch.


It was just the sort of outing we all needed to break away from our normal week-day routines. Here's hoping we have the time and energy to do something like this again soon.