There comes a time when a family needs more than city cement, incredible restaurants and burlesque shows to survive. That day has come.
So we decided to go family road tripping to the country. Bucks County, PA or bust – or maybe a brief stop because Dylan has to poop.
Buck’s County is quaint and countryish (It is too a word! Or at least sort of a word.) and green and awesome.
We saw a “Duck’s Crossing” sign. No ducks but the sign itself was really enough of a thrill.
At one point, Rick and I had a conversation that went like this…
Me: That woman we just passed was doing some kind of interesting gesture with her hand. Did she want us to pull over or something?
Rick: I think it was a wave. I think everyone here just waves at each other.
Me: A wave? I love that.
And we picked berries! Lots and lots of berries.
Dylan loved it. And Summer…
Oh crap. Someone wake up Summer. She’s missing our country adventure! Just like her to nod off during the fabulous blueberry and raspberry picking. If she thinks she can just take a long snooze and then eat our hard earned berries without lifting one baby finger in the hot Pennsylvania sun – well, she’s probably right about that.
And then we ate ice cream! And pizza! The pizza tasted much more charming and far less greasy in the lovely surroundings.
I even had a hankering to peruse and purchase antiques, although I am not really into that sort of old, dusty furniture thing. If you adore antiques, please substitute, “beautifully preserved and crafted treasures” for “old, dusty furniture.”
Frankly, I was completely swept up in the fresh air euphoria until the trip back to Manhattan.
Since my dad came along and it gets very tight between the two car seats, one of us had to sit in the WAY back. And boy does it make your arse hurt to hang out back there for extended periods of time.
I kind of felt like the family dog or like Rick’s smuggling me across state lines. And no, my kids aren’t on drugs. They are just so very tired and watching the DVD player.
Apparently, we didn’t tucker my dad out enough because the next morning, he was willing to go to his first yoga class ever with me.
Here he is practicing his downward dogs before the class…
He was pretty damn good for an inexperienced 65 year-old yogi. Then he left to catch the Amtrak train back to his home in Cape Cod.
As the train pulled out of Penn Station, he texted me, “This downward dog has left the station.”
I wished him a peaceful, kid-free, zen ride home.
mama bird notes
Sandrine won the boys’ baby giveaway!! Congrats Sandrine. Send me your address and I will mail these goodies off to you.
Sounds like a lovely day.
And my boys would have loved berry picking.
I’m with you on everything but the pizza. It’s way better in NYC.
Your dad sounds pretty cool! Love his text message.
Your kids did totally look drugged and mesmerized. lol Thanks for explaining!
You sure looked cute stuck in the back…like a dog. hehe
What a fun way to spend the day! I’ve never done the berry picking, but I know my kids would love to do that. I would too. Nice post!
Texting AND yoga! He’s so hip.
ahhh, what a beautiful day! I grew up in the country and we all waved to each other when we passed on the road. such nice memories!
you are so brave to take your dad to a yoga class with you!
Anyone who can text and yoga? Oh so cool.
What a LOVELY day!
OK, love the “way back seat” shot!
That happened to me once but the dog was back there too….
Yay for dad!
You were so close! Not that I woulda tracked you all down or anything. π Glad you had a fun time away. Go, Dad! That’s awesome. The berries we picked this year were soooo good.
We try to get out to pick blueberries once a year…haven’t made it out this year yet….Love Dad and the downward facing dog!
Absolutely cracking up!! I love the picture of the girls…I’ve seen those drugged looks on my own kids. Thank god for the dvd players!! And your dad…hysterical!! The only yogi my family knows is “Bear.” Great post…laughed out loud.
oh yeah…and both of my kids had to poop at Nordstroms the other day…why is that?? Why can kids poop absolutely anywhere? I know that the poop pitstop was just a small part of your post, but it just got me thinkin’.
that country air! i feel like your kids right now watching that movie….
Berry picking! Sounds like a fun day.
Sounds like a lovely day!! And your Dad? Doing downdog? Of course I just love that!
Were you in New Hope, PA, by any chance? Mike and I were there on Friday! Quite charming.
My husband and girls went blueberry picking and came back with 9 lbs!! They, the blueberries that is, are taking up a lot of room in the freezer next to the Jenny Craig. Your dad rocks!
Coming from LA, we wave or nod heads sometimes to total strangers, and hold doors open!! For the 4 years I lived in the midwestern city of Buffalo, I was amazed that people would just stare at me or act like I was going to attack them when I would say hello. I did stay mad for a rather long period of time because no one would speak back to me.
The south, the country, where will you go next? Yoga with your dad sounds great! I went to a meditation class with my dad – not quite as much fun. . .
Your dad is seriously the coolest. I might have a slight crush on him. π
I love the car shot. That is so classic. Zoned out kids and a mama in the back. LOVE IT!
Found your blog through Mean Mommie’s blog. She’s right! You are hilarious!! I’ll be back for more!!
I always get shoved into spaces like that because I’m always the skinny one. If I could I’d put on a ton of weight just so I could sit in the nice chair for once.
All that fresh air makes me nostalgic for the city. But I do remember being desperate for some country when we did live there.
Mmmm, nothing beats fresh berries and downward dog. Sounds like an awesome day in the country side.
An absolutely lovely day…AND a dad who tries yoga & texts…brilliant!
I love how kids fall asleep at the most opportune moments. That’s awesome your dad tried yoga–I’d love to get my parents to try it.
No more s***. All posts of this qluaity from now on
The idea of my dad doing yoga makes me laugh so hard I peed myself a little.
I was just telling Jeff that I want to buy a farm or a ranch. He is NOT into anything and thinks our lives we have now resemble a farm enough. I just need some space once in awhile though. I probably wouldn’t want to pick up horse poops though. Dogs are bad enough.
I’d love to get my dad doing yoga!
So cute! We just went blackberry picking last week. Very fun. Can’t wait to meet you soon. Email me to let me know when you are coming in and what I will owe you for the room, etc.
What a fun road trip! I love your retelling of events ( :
We picked strawberries this weekend, but with 102 degree weather, the kids didn’t last very long.
Can’t wait for berry picking, we have a great place just out east, so we like to call it!
Dad and yoga, now that is an entirely new concept to me.
Sometimes it’s best not to be ‘too friendly’. Got taken for $40 yesterday in S.F. when I went to watch the Gay Pride Parade and some scammer ‘befriended’ me…Next time someone says ‘hello’…I’ll kick them in their ass. Except for you Kelcey…
Looked like a really nice trip…
FYI You said hankering…LOL..you really are a little country
Sounds like you had fun. Country life is my kind of life π
I am just learning yoga – my stomach muscles are still kinda sore (even at 5.5 weeks post-op – ugh!) but I am still doing what I can. (oh did I mention I am using my Wii Fit game to learn yoga?)
Your dad sounds sweet and funny. Thanks for the LOL post; the pic and references to the drugged out kids cracked me up!
Mm, where can I get some charming pizza? Well, Bucks County I guess.
Your dad knows how to text? I’m impressed!
You were not far from my neck of the woods, in Bucks County. Next time, make sure to visit Peddler’s Village (lots of awesome shopping and a kiddie place w/rides and a carousel).
Love your Dad!!! What beautiful girl’s!!!! Good for you, getting some nice country air!!
Oh man, sometimes I sit between my two boy’s car seats in the back just to make room for more people and I get absolutely squished. π
I love your dad’s text message. That is too cool!
You are livin’ the life!
Your dad is a hoot.
You city folks are so…quaint…