Sunset at The Boat Basin, NYC

NYCity Mama had a hectic day.  As she cleaned her apartment, completed some writing projects in the short span of nap time (a rarity in itself), and did all her motherly duties, she became tired, and in dire need of a moment of Zen.

Mama used to have a sitter.  Someone she called on occasions like these when she needed a moment or a date night. In the past she has been able to rely on her sister otherwise, but this is not always an option.  So, as Mama cleaned she daydreamed of sitting watching the sunset and drinking a beer.  Now, that last part is huge, because Mama isn’t much of a drinker, and when she does beer wasn’t usually her first choice…but to her it felt like a beer day.

She contacted her husband and coordinated they meet after work. “With the kids?” he asked.  Mama laughed.

When the time approached it seemed like it wasn’t going to happen.  3.5 refusing to get dressed and running from her as she followed him with a shirt to put on him, slipped and bumped his lip causing blood to profusely drip from it. Her 2.5 year old, having refused to take a nap earlier, fell asleep on the couch and now was a cranky mess as she tried to wake him up to get him ready.  Her 11 year old refused to go all together, at which point she led it go and gave in to his request because she didn’t have any more in her to battle with.

They made it to the Upper West Side, met her hubby, and Mama could see the sun slowly set on the Hudson River as they made their way to the Boat Basin.  The kids were suddenly in a joyful mood, and hungry, and Mama couldn’t wait to have a seat.

The Boat Basin Cafe seems a bit tricky to find.  The sign for pedestrians on the 79th St exit/entrance for the Henry Hudson Parkway is small and you almost think that people who find it either came upon it by accident, were brought by a friend who came upon it the same way, or are just amazingly familiar with every corner of Riverside Park.  It overlooks a portion of the Greenway, allowing visitors to watch the pedestrians, runners,  and bikers as they make their way through.

Normally on a weekend night with weather like this the locale would be bustling with people, but on a weekday it is a more quiet affair, with just a few patrons present.  This scene is perfect for Mama because it allows her kids to just be without disrupting others.

They got a seat along the wall and the kids were able to watch the still waters, listen to the boats as they gently nudged against the wooden pier, and watch the helicopters fly by.  The crescent moon was already out, and Mama got to take a sip of a nice cold beer before the sun finally disappeared behind West New York, NJ.

Mama’s hubby says that you don’t come to the Boat Basin Cafe for the food.  And Mama would have to agree.  Never order nachos from there (it’s just chips with fake cheese goo over them), or anything that wouldn’t require the use of their ever ready grill.  This is a casual place to come, and yes, even with kids (they have high chairs and all), for burgers, or chips and beer, or some uncomplicated sandwich.  Mama’s hubby had the chilli, and he thought it was good.  Mama stuck with the cheddar cheese burger, also good.  She sat back and listened to her husband point out the “pirate ship” docked nearby.  She heard her 3.5 year old, as he  pointed to the “broken moon”,  go into detail about how it must’ve fallen in the water and the extra piece got lost there before the moon made it’s way back up to the sky. She could hear the jazz playing in the background and patrons laughing and talking around them.  But it was this moment of “chill” that she enjoyed the most.  She wished her 11 year old would’ve come as well.  He would’ve enjoyed it.

After dinner they headed down the stairs and took a stroll down the Greenway.  The boys were hyper and running around.  The loved looking at the water and checking out the boats.  Mama’s husband contemplated on the idea of selling everything and living in a boat, like some people at the basin do.  Mama envisioned it happily, without kids.

Mama thought about how incredible her city is that even in this concrete jungle one can find a hidden oasis like this. It was a beautiful night out.  A low key moment in her day.  Those moments aren’t easy to come by so Mama made sure to take in every second with full appreciation and content. It was, in the end, the perfect Adventure to end a hectic day.

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Tags: Parks
Posted in Aquariums/Parks/Zoos, Good Eats, Weekend Getaways | 9 Comments »