One of the things I most look forward to within Gotham is the annual picnic and softball game, most recently being held at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Its’s a great way to bring friends and family to meet up with Gotham, get some fresh air and have an informal meal together. It’s where my son can bond a bit and enjoy some NY time which he dearly misses. It’s also one of the few times a year I can meet, in person. many city folks that would not normally commute to the outer boroughs (you know who you are).

So, it was disappointing for me personally that the weather didn’t cooperate this year. The forecast was for rain, and it did rain indeed. It still didn’t stop my wife and son from flying in the night before (with two-hour delays) and spend a day in NY. We did drive up to Gardener, NY to pick apples, something we have done for some twenty years, before moving to Florida. It was my wife’s idea when she heard the picnic was scheduled and I was already planning to stay the extra day at the hotel for that. The car was also in possession for the extra day. So, I was able to find some inexpensive deals  on a late flight up using my frequent flier points. Saturday morning, we got to our favorite location at Wrights Farm and proceeded to the area we like to pick from up a steep hill, where the Honey Crips tress reside (our favorite).  My son flicking off a tic off his jeans from the high grass and all of us getting soaked. We packed extra socks and footwear, so all was well going back. We ended up packing an entire suitcase with Styrofoam coolers to hold the precious cargo. I also packed a carry-on that we checked in as well, with a box the orchard gave us after explaining our journey. We spoke with the owner's wife of the orchard and did a little networking while there too. Hey, you never know. Awesome apple cider donuts and other backed goods too.

Overall, it was wet, but the air was fresh, the mountainous terrain was beautiful, and we carried on an old family tradition. Yes, it would have been nice to finish off at the Gotham picnic, but we did at least have a late lunch at Don Pepe’s in Ozone Park before heading to JFK for our (delayed) flight back down to Fl. It is unlikely we can make it up again to the picnic rain date in October, but we think about next year for sure.