One of the Best
It was one of the best days I can remember. Last Sunday was Father’s Day, and Lew, Aiden, and I spent the day adventuring. First we all went up to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS). This was our first visit to the sanctuary. It was also one of the hottest days, if not the hottest day of the year so far. We brought a cooler full of food and had lunch under a tent at CAS before we took the tour. 
While in and around the barn we enjoyed the company of one very happy and absolutely adorable freely running baby pig. His name is Franklin and Aiden thought he was “some pig!” One of Aiden’s favorite movies is Charlotte’s Web. I think he must have thought we were in the presence of Wilbur himself! The delightful little piggy who was rescued from certain death, and who now rejoices in sunshine and the company of friendly animals, tireless volunteers, and adoring visitors at his new home at CAS.
After meeting many of the animals at the sanctuary, we boarded the van and cranked up the AC. As we cooled off, we headed down to New Paltz. We ended up at The Bakery, one of Lewis’ favorite spots. We sat inside, out of the smoldering heat. Lew and Aiden had cold juice and I had a soy cappuccino. Aiden really enjoyed himself in the kid’s corner upstairs at The Bakery where they had all kinds of wooden toys and a wooden miniature store front with a play cash register. It provided a good opportunity for Mom and Dad to sit back and relax too!
After coffee and juice, we drove the van down to the rail trail (it was too hot to walk through town). We got on the trail and into the shade quickly. The walk was relaxing, but when we came to a long stretch of shadeless trail we decided to head back. It took some arm-twisting, but while we walked I convinced Lew that we should drive over to Minnewaska if only to stick our feet in the cold lake for a moment, or feel a cool breeze roll in off the water. 
It was late in the day when we got there and it was so much cooler than it had been in town. Aiden marveled at the giant rocks that walled some of the path down to the lake.
We relaxed and played on the tiny beach for a while. The coolness of evening around a mountain lake was enough to get giddy over.
Finally, Lew took Aiden into the water for some splashing, giggling, and fun. After the boys had enough silly water play, we headed back up toward the parking lot. We got Aiden’s dinner from the cooler and fed him on one of the great rocks in the big grassy area by the van.
With Aiden all fed, and very tired out, we headed back to town so Lewis and I could finish the day with a nice dinner out (something we rarely get to do). Aiden fell asleep almost as soon as the van started moving. When we arrived and parked at the restaurant, we lifted him out of his car seat and into the stroller. We were sure he would keep sleeping, but we were wrong. He woke right up, big grin on face, ready for our next adventure! What a trooper! We all went inside and Lew and I had a delicious and large meal while Aiden enjoyed just being there, with us. He stayed awake and cheerful the entire time. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
-kara