The weather concerned me while I was planning for this trip,—It has been nothing but rain and cold for so long, and I figured that would follow us eastward. Saturday had a touch of rain in the afternoon, but yesterday was really very pleasant. Sun and clouds, poncho and no poncho. Completely dry.

My day began with trying to explain to the small dog that these really were the only potty options. Then Todd and I took him to Target, because its perfectly ok to walk your dog around the inside of Target. This place is so odd.

Then we all headed down to Chinatown to eat this and that, which was a request.

We meandered around and ended up getting noodles from 2 places - a food cart lady who Lily knows who freshly made an amazing roast pork with egg concoction that was wrapped inside a big rice noodle, very very yummy,—and then we tried to get more noodles at a place I saw online, but the wait would have been an hour. We proceeded to West Rice Roll King and I had curried fish balls on more noodles- interesting and yummy- but no food cart lady.

We ate this on a bench in Roosevelt Park. But there were more stops in Chinatown. There were different kinds of pork buns and shockingly good soy milk and (probably my favorite) mango moochi, which I’ll have to find a picture of.

Alec convinced me that this would be a good weekend to visit, as so many people leave the city for the holiday weekend,—but Chinatown on Sunday morning was very very crowded.

Then we walked through my first buddhist temple, a place I have often walked by wanting to go through. Charlie remained outside.

Over to the lower east side, where there is a restored Synogogue that I wanted to see on Eldridge Street, it didn’t disappoint, though I was the only one who wanted to pay the admit.

We continued to walk, winding through the lower east side up to Alphabet City, stopping at Tompkins Square Park, where Charlie had his first dog park experience. He needed coaxing, like an unsocialized child. These city dogs are pretty great. So very friendly.

We stopped for a beverage at some place on St Marks Place then on Westward bound to Washington Square Park. More snacks (goat!) and general people watching.

Then came a hurried walk up to Chelsea Markets restrooms - still we could take the dog anywhere!, and onto the highline - where we were told that “Dogs aren’t allowed on the highline” - really?? it’s an outdoor walkway?

We went inside chelsea market? and target? and we legit had seen at least 3 or 4 other dogs up there, but whatevs. We exited the highline, found an ATM, and walked through Hudson Yards (the mall), then looked at the honeycomb thing which I guess is called the Vessel. Did not have the willpower to climb it. Only 10 more blocks to home :)

We crashed for an hour or so, then found an Irish Pub in the vicinity for dinner - shepards pie for me.

I think I did 27k steps and was right at 12 miles. My feet are still sore (morning after). Keep in mind, a 17lb dog did most of these 12 miles, with a good deal more actual steps.

So much Food

In the groove

NYC