Pepper's Big Adventure
No. 87 How to spend 48 hours in New York. With your pup.
Not one for planning too far ahead, it was a delightful surprise when, at the beginning of last week, Seth asked if I wanted to go to New York on Thursday (it was Monday). Yes, please!
I love New York so, so much and will jump at any opportunity to go. Recently, most of my visits have been determined by work so this impromptu trip was right up my alley. Seth needed to go for one meeting for his work, but I would just be along for the ride. Perfect. We’d finally have a chance to run around the city, dine at our favorite spots, shop at the shops, wander everywhere, and perhaps, for the first time in a long time, relax for a minute. I even took a day off from work.
Well, our plan did not go as planned. Due to the last-minute nature of the decision, our usual dog-care was not available so we had to shift gears to find a dog-friendly hotel. Many NYC hotels that cater to furry guests have weight limits (20 pounds or less!) so it took some extra effort to find one that allowed pups of all sizes and was in a good location for dog entertainment (read: close to Central Park). Pepper, the joy that she is, weighs approximately 41 pounds. Not tiny, not huge. A medium-sized dog with a whole lot of energy and excitement. And she’s so cute!
So, we packed ourselves up, packed a bag for Pepper (toys, food, water bowls, travel water bottle), and off we went to the city. Thankfully, traffic was at a minimum so it didn’t take too long to drive down, save for a few stop and go sections at the edge of New York. It was pretty incredible to fly down the West Side Highway, thanks to congestion pricing, which made traffic in Manhattan barely exist. A miracle!
It seems that Pepper’s patience lasts just as long as mine so by the time we arrived, unpacked the car, and made our way to check in, she was bouncing off the walls and needed a long walk. She barked her way through check-in, barked at the elevator, was very wary of the elevator, and then finally(!) we got to our room, she could be off of the leash, have some water, and chill for a second. I was thrilled that I remembered her favorite chew toys which calmed her down while she sat happily on the king-size bed. HA. She thought it was all for her.
Friends, in case you didn’t remember, New York in the summer is HOT. Whatever cool-ish temps that had been hanging around were long gone by the time we arrived. The brutal humidity and heat were in full force. After we got settled and Pepper jumped on and off the bed a few dozen times, it was important to get out, explore, and tire her out. Many hours in the car meant she needed many hours out and about. So out we went…to Central Park! Pro tip: the hotel was located about three blocks from the Park which was absurdly convenient. I would even stay closer next time!
Central Park is paradise for pups. Sure, it’s not a dog-specific park and it’s quite crowded, but on the whole it was superb for Pepper. She loved walking around, sniffing everything, saying hi to everyone, saying hi to countless dogs, and trying to chase every pigeon, small bird, squirrel, or creature that crossed her path. She was having the time of her life! However, it was really hot so we had to take water breaks and shade breaks so she could attempt to cool off. Same for us.
The last time Seth and I wandered through Central Park was in August of 2016 during our honeymoon when it was also wicked hot and way too humid. We apparently only visit when the weather is extreme! This felt like our honeymoon all over again. Except that when we finally got out of the Park, looking for a late-lunch spot, we had to sit outside - with Pepper - rather than get a reprieve from the heat in an air conditioned restaurant. The sweat continued!
On Thursday, while we got a quick bite outside at Tacombi (Upper West Side), it began to rain so hard that we had to get up from the table and huddle under the awnings. The rain was, I’d say, torrential. Thankfully we had finished our food, but we all got soaked despite the awning. I felt like I had taken a shower in jeans. A lovely feeling.
Eventually it did stop, so we walked as quickly as we could back toward the hotel, but had to stop twice in the Park as it rained again, and again, so we got even more soaked. I haven’t gotten caught in rain that bad in decades. Pepper was so soggy. We were all kind of miserable. I didn’t feel great either. Did I mention I was somewhat sick for the whole trip, too?
I’m not asking for sympathy but I will say that getting caught in a vicious rain (and thunder) storm on our first day in New York, with Pepper, was something I don’t need to repeat! I should have known better. Major humidity leads to storms. Duh. Next time we’ll stick to main streets for the return walk - easier to duck under an awning or wait it out under scaffolding. Funny enough, rain still pours down on you while waiting under a tree. Oof.
On the bright side, because of the long walks all day, Pepper was tired every time we needed to stop and dine al fresco. I can happily report that I think she’s now accustomed to hanging out under the table while we eat outside at restaurants. She just needs a 2-hour walk before we arrive. ;)
Another highlight of our brief trip was visiting a longtime friend (from college!) in Brooklyn! While Seth had his work meeting Friday morning, Pepper and I got to hang out with my friend, her husband, their baby, and their great dog!
Pepper had a blast and it was so nice to catch up and chill out in a new-to-me part of the city. Yes, Brooklyn has been booming for a long time and yet I’ve only been a few times. It was so nice! My friend and her family live right near a beautiful park, a great walking path alongside the New York Bay, and parking in the area was incredibly easy. Delightful!
The remaining 24 hours of our visit included more long walks with Pepper, a few more al fresco meals, and a teeny splash of shopping. Seth and Pepper kindly, and patiently, waited outside while I dashed into a few stores because how could I not? It wasn’t an hours-long shopping extravaganza but it did the trick given our very brief trip. New York shopping scene - I will return! So many of my favorites will have to wait until next time, yet I did manage to scurry into Bergdorf’s so all is well.
Saturday morning, before we left the city around 12:30pm, it was still extremely hot and our final big walk was ripe with sweat and exhaustion. It was very amusing to bring Pepper to New York; she loved exploring and she loved seeing so many people and dogs. And she loved the big hotel bed. But we did have to bring her everywhere. Thankfully, outdoor dining exists this time of year because otherwise it would have been a trip full of room service.
Bringing Pepper on a city trip was full of unknowns and a bit of anxiety. She still hates waiting for the elevator in the hotel and she’ll forever be a hunter of critters in the Park but overall she did incredibly well. I was proud at how quickly she became accustomed to the hustle and bustle and how much everyone loved to pat her. She lives for attention so the crowds weren’t an issue whatsoever. Perhaps I was the most ready for a quieter surround.
My favorite part of the trip was our dinner Friday night at Sant Ambroeus on the Upper East Side. We had been walking for a while, saw that they had tables available, and luckily got seats where Pepper could chill underneath, somewhat out of the way. She happily said hi to the other guests, was given her own water bowl, and didn’t even acknowledge the dogs walking by on their own Friday night adventures.
It was relaxing, the food was delicious, and most of the people we chatted with (everyone talks to us once they see Pepper) asked if we were locals who lived in the neighborhood. My heart soared. A dream! Our walk back to the hotel was a stroll past all of the beautiful buildings and imagining which one would be best to live in with Pepper - with a view facing the Park of course. ;)
I lived on the UES long ago and miss it often. However, being assumed to be locals out to dinner on Friday night with our dog was enough of a mood boost to last a while. ;) Of course we said we were visiting (have to admit the truth) but it made me so happy. I love to feel like a local in my favorite place. New York will always feel like home.
In summary, Pepper had a pretty great, pretty hot, and pretty fun first trip to New York. Now, we are back, unpacked, still tired, and happily enjoying the peace and quiet (birds chirping aside) of being in our own home.
There’s no place quite like New York to make you appreciate your own home that much more and simultaneously be excited already for the next trip back to the city.
Reminder for that next visit: make time for the (GF) bagels. ;)
Cheers and joy,
Mollie