We live in the neighborhood of Washington Heights and there is a recreation center with two large pools eight or so blocks up the road. Since this past weekend was so sweltry, on Saturday we decided to trek on up to check it out. I called first to check out the hours and such. The center is free to get in, but I was warned that only your swimsuit, towel, a plastic bottle of water and a bound book are allowed into the pool area. They have lockers but you must bring your own lock. So we headed up to the Recreation center at a little after 4pm when they open for the afternoon session. We walked and only brought our towels, arm floaties for the boys, and water bottles...and a lock we took off one of our window grates since we'd need to lock up our clothes and shoes.
We had seen the pools before since there is a playground nearby and it's in the middle of a good-sized park. But they were empty when we look at them previously. As we approached, we saw many people picnicing in the park and then we saw this long line of boys and men going into the entrance of the center. Looking around we soon realized that this was the guys line to get into the pool, so we walked around the side where you can look into the pool area through the fence to see the pools already fairly full. Hmmm...what to do? Well, we came this far, we might as well take the plunge. So we got in the guys line which moved quickly into the center and put our bag through the search. They said we were ok. Now we had to split up to go through the restrooms/locker rooms. Daniel took the boys and the bag. Maria Victoria and I wade through the crowds of women and children only to be stopped right as we got to the other end by the pools by a large lady saying I could not go into the pool area with my pants on..."only swimsuits, towels, and water allowed." I told her I would give my husband my pants when I got to the other side so he could put them in the bag and lock it in a locker. She told me I had to wait until someone could escort me the 100 yards from the exit of the Women's Locker Room to the Men's Locker Room. As I was waiting for her to find someone I read a sign on the wall that told what to do if you should find a syringe. Yikes...hope we don't run into any of those. Well, since she couldn't find anyone to escort me, she said Maria Victoria and I could go alone.
I found Daniel and the boys and gave him the goods he needed to lock up in the locker and put the arm floaties on the boys. There are two Olympic-sized pools one being only 2 - 2.5 feet deep all over and the other being deeper. So most little ones and their parents or older siblings were in there. Actually, this meant a lot of people because even kids I would have expected to be swimming in the bigger pool were in this kiddie pool. Most likely, swimming lessons is not a common summer activity offered in this area. If you are well-off enough to pay for those, you go swimming at a private pool.
Though crowded, we had a lot of fun. At one point, a life guard waded over to tell us that the boys could not wear floaties in the water. The only thing allowed in the pool were you and your swimsuit. After thinking about it, the rule makes sense. Just image if they allowed floaties or pool toys...there would be a lot less room and basically a lot more chaos. Already the lifeguaurds stationed every 30 feet around he pool are whistling constantly.
As we were toweling off to go, Juan Pablo, looking around, said, "Mama, I want another tattoo." Previously in his short life he has had 2 temporary tattoos, and I suppose, the impressive display on many of the other pool-goers gave him a hankering for more.
We had seen the pools before since there is a playground nearby and it's in the middle of a good-sized park. But they were empty when we look at them previously. As we approached, we saw many people picnicing in the park and then we saw this long line of boys and men going into the entrance of the center. Looking around we soon realized that this was the guys line to get into the pool, so we walked around the side where you can look into the pool area through the fence to see the pools already fairly full. Hmmm...what to do? Well, we came this far, we might as well take the plunge. So we got in the guys line which moved quickly into the center and put our bag through the search. They said we were ok. Now we had to split up to go through the restrooms/locker rooms. Daniel took the boys and the bag. Maria Victoria and I wade through the crowds of women and children only to be stopped right as we got to the other end by the pools by a large lady saying I could not go into the pool area with my pants on..."only swimsuits, towels, and water allowed." I told her I would give my husband my pants when I got to the other side so he could put them in the bag and lock it in a locker. She told me I had to wait until someone could escort me the 100 yards from the exit of the Women's Locker Room to the Men's Locker Room. As I was waiting for her to find someone I read a sign on the wall that told what to do if you should find a syringe. Yikes...hope we don't run into any of those. Well, since she couldn't find anyone to escort me, she said Maria Victoria and I could go alone.
I found Daniel and the boys and gave him the goods he needed to lock up in the locker and put the arm floaties on the boys. There are two Olympic-sized pools one being only 2 - 2.5 feet deep all over and the other being deeper. So most little ones and their parents or older siblings were in there. Actually, this meant a lot of people because even kids I would have expected to be swimming in the bigger pool were in this kiddie pool. Most likely, swimming lessons is not a common summer activity offered in this area. If you are well-off enough to pay for those, you go swimming at a private pool.
Though crowded, we had a lot of fun. At one point, a life guard waded over to tell us that the boys could not wear floaties in the water. The only thing allowed in the pool were you and your swimsuit. After thinking about it, the rule makes sense. Just image if they allowed floaties or pool toys...there would be a lot less room and basically a lot more chaos. Already the lifeguaurds stationed every 30 feet around he pool are whistling constantly.
As we were toweling off to go, Juan Pablo, looking around, said, "Mama, I want another tattoo." Previously in his short life he has had 2 temporary tattoos, and I suppose, the impressive display on many of the other pool-goers gave him a hankering for more.
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Oh, and Kolbe is dying for a motorcycle. He has seen so many men on them and thinks they are cool. He plans to get one as soon as he is older. What to do with such impressionable little boys!!
Good luck with your road trip!