I’m wiping a tear right now. Bryant Park skating is over for the season. We had some fun there this year. First, there was this event. And a few weeks ago I headed back there with the kids in tow.
I have to be honest here: skating with kids is challenging. If you’ve got a kid who can skate, fantastic. If, however, you have the misfortune of teaching someone to skate, Godspeed.
Although I haven’t actually done any of these activities, my reading of 19th Century literature suggests that cotton picking or perhaps coal mining are activities that would result in similar back pain.
There’s the obvious hunching, the lifting from odd angles, the propping, dragging and carrying. It’s enough to make you the star of your own Salonpas commercial.
But the kids really do love it, which makes it all worth it.
At first we had plans to skate at The Standard Hotel, which is walking distance from our apartment. But an employee hockey tournament was underway, so we needed to change venues. We pivoted, flagged a taxi, and headed north to Bryant Park.
Stepping out of the taxi, I was pleased to find out that Lauren’s water bottle had upended into my skate. Never mind that it was below freezing and were about to spend the morning at an outdoor rink. The skate would go on.
I got the kids ready first.
With my 100% non-sporty eyewear and beat up hockey skates, we were ready to rock & roll.
One of the great things about Bryant Park is that you can skate at the foot of some of New York City’s tallest skyscrapers.
After skating, Sam chased some indoor pigeons, not realizing that if he actually caught one with his skates on, we’d have blood on our hands.
