Headed to Coney Island

[coachlaw]

I'm really not much for NYC. I've seen and done just about all I wanted to do in the city in past years, but I've not been to Nathan's to have a hot dog yet. Heading that way within the hour. Looks like we'll hit the aquarium too and see if it's as good as the one in New Orleans. My "Uncle Sandy" time has been great, but I gotta say that two 4 year olds run me pretty ragged. After about 4 hours I need a nap! Hope to see y'all soon. - Sandy

[Explorer21]

Damn... I am hungry and you have to bring up the Nathan's hot dog thing. Sounds good, have one for me! Enjoy and have a safe trip back.

[coachlaw]

Well, I had my requisite 2 dogs, one with kraut and the other with onions and mustard, the way the locals told me to do it. They were darn good as hot dogs go. I'm generally not a big fan of them, but I'll give Nathan's the nod as the best due to the natural casing. Really pops when you bite into them.

We went down to the New York Aquarium and did the whole thing with the kids. It was ok, but surprisingly underwhelming compared to the aquarium in New Orleans. You'd think the biggest city in the USA would have more to offer. It was way more rinky dink than the old Marine Life in Biloxi. The kids had a ball though, and that's what it's all about. My niece and nephew are both 4 years old. Their names are Blake and CeCe. Of course I think they're the cutest kids on Earth. It didn't take long to get through the aquarium, so we took a long stroll along the board walk, which was pretty darn cool. A very carnival atmosphere. We had dogs and a couple of beers, then the kids started to get a little cranky after they had been on a bajillion rides at the amusement park. So we got in the car and I thought we were heading home, nope.

Our next destination was Little Italy in Manhattan. Hadn't been there since '05 and it was a lot of fun. We just walked around and did a lot of people watching, I was always holding one kid's hand. It seems they really dig their Uncle Sandy. Talk about a lot of eye candy down there though. It's nice and cool here compared to home and all the chicas were dressed to the nines and lookin' good. I've got to get me a T-shirt that says, "Proud Straight Uncle". We had some sort of Italian pastry dessert, which was basically the same thing as the beignets I grew up with, then we took the long walk back to the car. It was like walking down a clean Bourbon Street. Everybody walking, talking, even dancing on the sidewalks. Lot's of great 50s and early 60s music being played, the Drifters, Sam Cook, you know, the good stuff. Much of NYC is detestable to me, but the Italians really know how to live, just as they do in New Orleans.

The ride back home was much longer than the ride in. Dad gum accidents everywhere, and where there weren't accidents, there was night road crew work going on, not just in Manhattan, but all over New Jersey. The kids drifted off into dream land and we had a nice time just being grown ups for a while. As soon as we got in, I did the Uncle Sandy thing and put the kids to bed with stories. Cutest little buggers I ever laid eyes on y'all. My brother and sis in law said they were out as they both have work early, but I just can't miss this little time to myself. I'm out here in the back yard, poolside, big glass of Australian Shiraz in hand, typing with the sounds of coyotes all around me. I only hope the bear doesn't make an appearance. Yes, I have the "Bear Spray" right here next to the computer. I'd rather the .357 or my bro's Mauser, but this is what I've got.

Every day I wake up early and get my niece on the bus to her camp, then I take my nephew to his day camp. Usually he is the more outgoing of the two, but when I put her on the bus, she's all about her friends, when I drop him off, he has a fit when I try to leave. Conversely when I try to pick him up, he doesn't want to leave. He's definitely the more trying of the two children, but I'm learning some tricks to deal with it. My time here I view as a bit of a vacation for my bro and sis in law. They say this is all good "Daddy Training", and it's tough to disagree. I do everything with the kids so they can for once have the ability to get away a bit, concentrate more on work sometimes and a lot on each other. Last year they left me alone with them for a week. This time it will be for just a few days later this week. They're going up to a spa in the Catskills or something. If I ever have kids, I hope all this training pays off. I'm just glad they're completely out of diapers now. Sheesh, I really didn't like dealing with that last year. I'd just toss them in the shower . They got the message and I didn't have a dirty diaper until their parents came home. The kids are really turning into fun little people. It's really great that now I can understand just about all of what they say without having to have an interpreter.

I've babbled on for long enough, and believe it or not, I'm getting pretty darn chilly out here. The rustling in the bushes up the hill has me a little ill at ease as well. Yes, I'm scared without a firearm. Y'all take it easy and I'll see you at home soon. - Sandy

[dbarham]

Well, I had my requisite 2 dogs, one with kraut and the other with onions and mustard, the way the locals told me to do it. They were darn good as hot dogs go. I'm generally not a big fan of them, but I'll give Nathan's the nod as the best due to the natural casing. Really pops when you bite into them.

We went down to the New York Aquarium and did the whole thing with the kids. It was ok, but surprisingly underwhelming compared to the aquarium in New Orleans. You'd think the biggest city in the USA would have more to offer. It was way more rinky dink than the old Marine Life in Biloxi. The kids had a ball though, and that's what it's all about. My niece and nephew are both 4 years old. Their names are Blake and CeCe. Of course I think they're the cutest kids on Earth. It didn't take long to get through the aquarium, so we took a long stroll along the board walk, which was pretty darn cool. A very carnival atmosphere. We had dogs and a couple of beers, then the kids started to get a little cranky after they had been on a bajillion rides at the amusement park. So we got in the car and I thought we were heading home, nope.

Our next destination was Little Italy in Manhattan. Hadn't been there since '05 and it was a lot of fun. We just walked around and did a lot of people watching, I was always holding one kid's hand. It seems they really dig their Uncle Sandy. Talk about a lot of eye candy down there though. It's nice and cool here compared to home and all the chicas were dressed to the nines and lookin' good. I've got to get me a T-shirt that says, "Proud Straight Uncle". We had some sort of Italian pastry dessert, which was basically the same thing as the beignets I grew up with, then we took the long walk back to the car. It was like walking down a clean Bourbon Street. Everybody walking, talking, even dancing on the sidewalks. Lot's of great 50s and early 60s music being played, the Drifters, Sam Cook, you know, the good stuff. Much of NYC is detestable to me, but the Italians really know how to live, just as they do in New Orleans.

The ride back home was much longer than the ride in. Dad gum accidents everywhere, and where there weren't accidents, there was night road crew work going on, not just in Manhattan, but all over New Jersey. The kids drifted off into dream land and we had a nice time just being grown ups for a while. As soon as we got in, I did the Uncle Sandy thing and put the kids to bed with stories. Cutest little buggers I ever laid eyes on y'all. My brother and sis in law said they were out as they both have work early, but I just can't miss this little time to myself. I'm out here in the back yard, poolside, big glass of Australian Shiraz in hand, typing with the sounds of coyotes all around me. I only hope the bear doesn't make an appearance. Yes, I have the "Bear Spray" right here next to the computer. I'd rather the .357 or my bro's Mauser, but this is what I've got.

Every day I wake up early and get my niece on the bus to her camp, then I take my nephew to his day camp. Usually he is the more outgoing of the two, but when I put her on the bus, she's all about her friends, when I drop him off, he has a fit when I try to leave. Conversely when I try to pick him up, he doesn't want to leave. He's definitely the more trying of the two children, but I'm learning some tricks to deal with it. My time here I view as a bit of a vacation for my bro and sis in law. They say this is all good "Daddy Training", and it's tough to disagree. I do everything with the kids so they can for once have the ability to get away a bit, concentrate more on work sometimes and a lot on each other. Last year they left me alone with them for a week. This time it will be for just a few days later this week. They're going up to a spa in the Catskills or something. If I ever have kids, I hope all this training pays off. I'm just glad they're completely out of diapers now. Sheesh, I really didn't like dealing with that last year. I'd just toss them in the shower . They got the message and I didn't have a dirty diaper until their parents came home. The kids are really turning into fun little people. It's really great that now I can understand just about all of what they say without having to have an interpreter.

I've babbled on for long enough, and believe it or not, I'm getting pretty darn chilly out here. The rustling in the bushes up the hill has me a little ill at ease as well. Yes, I'm scared without a firearm. Y'all take it easy and I'll see you at home soon. - Sandy

good going sandy those lil fellas will never forget that trip..

[2112]

I hear Bear Meat is pretty tastey.
Hurry up and get back.

[TMO]

I think lead is a better way to keep the bears away!!! Sounds like you;re having a great time Sandy!!!