Governor's Island

Back in May I wrote out a Summer Bucket List of all the fun things I wanted to do this summer. This would be Goal #4- picnic in the park! Unfortunately, I forgot to get any pictures of the actual food. But just picture one of those roast chickens from the grocery store, potato and macaroni salad, a bottle of wine and some waters, and a blanket in a tote bag. :)

If you've never heard of Governor's Island, it's a little island between Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can't get there by car- you have to take a ferry (which is free). I had never been there before, but it was so nice! It's basically a giant park, with bike and walking paths. There is a huge monument, which we didn't see, because it was on the other side of the island, which was closed off the day we went. There is also apparently a carousel on that side as well. They have a hammock area which is awesome, but you have to get there early to get one! There is an outdoor library, which I loved!! [see below] They also have a beach area, where they serve alcohol- bringing alcohol to the island is strictly prohibited, which we didn't know! But the beach was closed the day we went because they were having a concert there at night... wish I had known that in advance too!

So anyway, I went with my mom. And we go up to the area where they check your bags before you get on the ferry and make the "No Alcohol" announcement- and my mom freezes. Mind you, the bottle was at the bottom of the tote bag, wrapped in the blanket- and to say they weren't checking thoroughly would be a severe understatement. But at the announcement she froze, and (honest woman that she is) admitted to having a bottle of wine! Of course they couldn't ignore that, so they said they could either confiscate it, or we could "get rid of it some other way" *wink wink* (literally). 

So we did. We went to another park on the Manhattan side overlooking the river, took out the two cups that we brought, and totally broke the law. Salud!

And then we went back and got on the next ferry, and had our picnic...with water! It was a fabulous day and hopefully we can go back when the beach area is open! Anywho, here are a few pics I did manage to take!

Now entering Governor's Island!

Momma dukes- unfortunately the sun was not on her side

Hallo!

The beach area- set up for the concert

A schooner- I thought it looked cool

meadows where we sat (under a tree)
[via]

Bike, hike or just sunbathe; there’s plenty to do for an afternoon at Governors Island. Photo: The Trust for Governors Island

Read a book or register for a public library card at the new pop-up library outside Castle Williams. Photo: Daniel Broadhurst[via]

View from the island