Mercer's Summer Vacation: Part 2

Island Beach State Park is a great beach just south of Seaside Park on the Jersey Shore. No boardwalk, no loud music; just sand and ocean. And a crazy 3-year old who wants somebody to carry him into the water and take all the punishment the mighty Atlantic has to offer. We went last year and Mercer had a ball. This year, Mercer was a bit apprehensive; perhaps more aware of the loud, crashing waves and shark-infested waters.







The evening was topped off with sugary sweet New Jersey corn on the cob and Pennsylvania sparklers. Mercer wasn't too into the fireworks, though. Pop would try to hand them over, but Mercer said "Don't fire me, Daddy!" The smoke seemed to bother him, too.

Mercer's Summer Vacation: Part 1

Mercer took a week off along with Mom and Pop to visit Grandpa in Central New Jersey. We crammed a lot of good stuff in, despite some rainy days. Here, the gang visits Albert Hall deep in the Pinelands of New Jersey for some string-pluckin' goodness (and nearby Sonic burgers). The music inside was OK, but the old-timers on the front porch were even better.

Then we headed north for our good friend Sydney's third birthday party. Mercer made good use of the pools and water toys available, especially the water guns. Mercer can dish it out, but he can't take it. That's going to end real soon. Anyway, it was great to see Sydney and enjoy all the good food and drink. She's such a big girl!

Random bedtime

Mercer's heart operating device

When we told Mercer that MeMa was in the hospital because she needed to fix up her heart, he ran straight into the living room and constructed a device to help with the surgery:

It consists of a toy drill bit, plastic swirl pop container, and some sort of small action figure helmet attached to a giant clamp; which, of course, is clamped to the top of the swirl pop container. We're running it through the U.S. Patents Office now and Pop is writing up a quick article for the Journal of the American Medical Association. Fingers crossed.

Feel better, MeMa!

Polo on Governors Island

Governors Island is a fantastic day trip destination located smack in the middle of New York harbor. Only 800 yards from the southern tip of Manhattan, the island served as a military base since 1794. It was also part of the coastal defenses that made England think twice about attacking the city during the War of 1812. It remained an important base until 1966, when it transferred over to the Coast Guard. They left in 1996 and today, it is open for people visit.

It's free to visit the island and there is plenty to explore. The views are amazing; one can take in views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey, the Statue of Liberty, and all sorts of bridges and water traffic. Along with food carts and playgrounds, there are arts, crafts, bike rentals, museum exhibits, and plenty of historical buildings to tour, including Fort Jay, which dates back to 1794. It's somewhat eerie to be surrounded by scores of vacated buildings while pushing your kid back and forth on a swingset, but it's all part of the experience. Big plans are in store for the island, though, and it won't look the way it does now for long.

Mom and Pop have been wanting to visit for awhile, but what drew us this weekend was the chance to see some free polo, because how often does that happen? Plus, Prince Harry was there. No brainer! Turns out the island hosts tons of great events throughout the summer.

Too cool for school. On the way to the island.

Soisson's Landing.

Old barracks.

Mercer gets a dirty water dog.

Old living quarters reminded Pop of college.

Some vacant buildings are used for artists' studios and installations. Mercer helped this piece become worth looking at.

Fort Jay.

Polo time.

But first, some more great views. Here is the southern tip of Manhattan.

The Statue of Liberty and the Staten Island Ferry.

The Polo proved to be pretty boring, but I think the 93 degree heat had something to do with that.

A visit to Fort Tryon Park

Fort Tryon Park is a gorgeous park located on the northern end of Manhattan. Mom and Pop had been there once before years ago to eat at the delicious New Leaf Cafe, but it was evening then, and there wasn't much time to stroll the grounds.

Pop wanted to go for the views of the George Washington Bridge, but Mercer found plenty more to do as well. He found honey bees, butterflies, all kinds of flower species, a plethora of steps, underpasses, Russian grandmothers, benches, rolling fields, and cute dogs. It was a boiling hot day but the towering trees provided ample shade for cooling off. We'll definitely be back.

Spider at the park on Father's Day

Mercer makes an eight-legged friend.