Hoboken!

The thing about being a Manhattenite is that we really just have two parks: one that goes up and down and one that goes in circles - counter clockwise. Once you've done those two enough times, you want to branch out. I dread the day when Lucille and I don't have new paths to follow - we love to go adventurin'!

Today, we went to Hoboken. I live near the PATH train, so up we went to 6th Ave. And down we went to the PATH. Then up we went again (wrong direction, no signage), and down once more (aargh!). Since Brompton doesn't seem to be making Titanium (lighter) bikes these days, I'm just going to have to deal with Lucille's weight. The one thing I can do is not carry a basket, but just wear a fanny pack. Surprisingly, that does make a difference.

Hadn't been in the PATH for ages, but remember that same swampy smell (stronger on the Jersey side). When we emerged, there was no sign of the bike path. As it turns out, there is no real bike path, but instead a very long and elaborate pedestrian path - and the first view you see is breathtaking:

FYI, that squarish, squatty tower to the right is the ventilation system for the PATH train.

Since this path is really for pedestrians, no serious cycling is possible. And you wouldn't really want to anyway, for fear of hitting one of the zillion strollers littering the place - the inevitable result of being a "bedroom community," I guess.

The path is paved and well maintained - the feeling a lot like the feeling you get in Battery Park City (or for those who remember the British series, "The Prisoner"). The plantings are well manicured...

The views carefully selected.

Almost as if, prior to arrival, a host of architects and designers had gone ahead and engineered the experience for you. The place gave me the creeps!! I was just considering turning around, when I saw a ferry making its way towards us from Manhattan. I put on some speed, but the dock was in an out of the way place, and we didn't make it in time. When the next ferry came though, we were on it - and that captain hauled ass!

Lucille got a little woozy on the trip.

Within 10 minutes, we were back in Manhattan at Wall Street - a problematic part of town for bikes if you want to make it across to the West Side - there were streets I'd never even heard of! St. James. Catherine. We passed the Confucius Florist (yes, we wound up in Chinatown). Finally 10 good blocks of cycling by the River before turning into Chelsea.

One aside: all of Hoboken is not like this. Inland, much of it is cool and young and fun (yes some of my best friends have lived in Hoboken!). But it also has cobblestones. So as far as bikes go, the path we followed is probably what there is. If I hear of anything better, I'll take another trip out there. The PATH is still just a block away.