Merry-Go-Round

Our lil' gang is totally smitten with the Bear Mountain Merry-Go-Round. It's inside a gorgeous 8,000-square-foot pavilion at Bear Mountain State Park, which is 45 miles from Manhattan and less than an hour from us.


The Merry-Go-Round features incredible hand-painted scenes from the Hudson River and the park's early history. All 43 seats are hand-carved animals native to the area, including black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, fox, swan, bobcat, etc. The music that plays is good on the ears, too. It was recorded at an original carousel in Rochester, New York, from a 1926 Wurlitzer Pipe Band Organ. We've been many times, and still it impresses.


Rides are just $1. We went again yesterday and some little girl was having her birthday bash there. Cool party theme, right? I think Buby would like that, though apparently he already has big plans for his "Five birthday." More on that later.