trip's start

Griggstown canoe

Ground Zero, Manhattan

TriBeCa playground

Times Square

Saturday 10 July 2004

Not too far from Mom's house is the Griggstown Canoe Rental. Like much of what's really great in old New Jersey, this is in danger of McMansion development and the other indignant mediocrities of the modern age. (Rant available upon request.)

But today we're going to enjoy the wild outdoors, succumb to the lure of the river, and take two canoes out for an hour. Here you see Rose getting into "their" canoe. Mom, Lila, and Emil are ready to go.

Here you see "our" canoe. Isaac is at the bow, Omi Marga is perched amidships, and yours truly is the engine. What I'm doing with the paddle is beyond me. You can see the deep greens of the Garden State, and the still river. Going after Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now this isn't.

Here's Rose's view of Lila, who is trying to share here granola bar with Isaac. I'm able to get us parallel quickly, avoiding an ugly scene of capsizing boats and soaked generations.

The water is cool, and refreshing to the touch. It's a hot day, perhaps a high 80° F (26° C)?

The hour is over too soon. We return the canoes, drive home (with naps for all who aren't behind the wheel), and it's time to play in the yard. Here's Emil supervising the kids as they play with their new toys from Germany, courtesy of great-grandmother.

Tomorrow we head out to Ground Zero, World Trade Center, Manhattan.

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