#3. Go see the spring blossoms in Central Park with Gus–check!

Spring is my very favorite season in New York.  I love the fall, but spring feels bright and alive in a way that is invigorating.  People seem to walk around with this visible sigh of RELIEF on their faces and bodies.  Nowhere is spring more beautiful than in Central Park.  Before I was even pregnant, Graham and I would take walks in Central Park and I would fantasize about watching my toddler walk the paths under the tall trees and blossoms.  The only problem with spring blossom sightings is that it can be hard to gauge when to go.  You have to CATCH IT at just the right time–if you go even a DAY late all the blooms are gone.  We had planned to go as a family this weekend, but everywhere we went it was apparent that the blooms were either at their peak or they were just about to.  When I found out that we were due for a rainstorm on Saturday I knew that if I didn’t take Gus NOW rather than later, I’d probably miss it.  So on Friday morning I packed him up and made the trek while Graham was working.

When we left Brooklyn it was a clear and beautiful day, if a little chilly, but by the time we reached the upper East side it was overcast and FREEZING.  I had visions of Gus against a bright blue sky and pink blossoms, but it was not to be.  This is the day we had.  As we walked to the park through the ritzy neighborhood, I was worried that we’d missed the blossoms because so many of the trees on the street were going green, but then we reached 5th Avenue and in the park the trees were bright with blooms and I was SO HAPPY we came.

I got to live out my little dream I had some years ago and Gus got to pick up Central Park sticks. People talked to us and laughed because it was spring and we were all thinking the same thing: Man, I love this town.