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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 0:22:40 GMT
After spending two full days driving from north Florida to New York City all I wanted to do was find some green space and enjoy the outdoors. Even though the first day of spring was a few days ago, it was actually still very cold in New York - below freezing at 10:00 - and the color green seemed to be missing. Still, the skies were blue and I headed over towards the museum area where I entered Central Park.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 0:48:56 GMT
From the south end of the reservoir I could see there was still plenty of ice on the lake.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 1:36:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 1:45:26 GMT
OK, who is the bronze guy in the park with the duck? Hans Christian Anderson? Charles Dickens?
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Post by nycgirl on Mar 25, 2015 1:46:13 GMT
Ah, Museum Mile. I'm quite fond of that stretch of 5th Ave.
Central Park sure looks dreary right now. I hate snow, but I must reluctantly admit it does make the park look magical. No snow and no foliage and it looks bleh.
Looking forward to more!
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Post by fumobici on Mar 25, 2015 1:53:53 GMT
Thanks for the quick spin around the park, even in its winter dress it still beckons. If I were a squillionaire I'd probably have a place in NYC. As it is, I couldn't afford a closet in a cold dark basement there.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 1:54:10 GMT
OK, who is the bronze guy in the park with the duck? Hans Christian Anderson? Charles Dickens? Hans, I do believe.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 1:56:31 GMT
Thanks for the quick spin around the park, even in its winter dress it still beckons. If I were a squillionaire I'd probably have a place in NYC. As it is, I couldn't afford a closet in a cold dark basement there. It's not in a basement, but the closet part describes my daughter's doll-sized apartment.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 2:06:04 GMT
Though I've ridden subways fairly extensively in Washington, DC, Paris, and London, I've been bracing myself for the intricacies of the NYC subways. I'm sure I have much to learn, but am happy I was able to experience part of the green line today as I rode the local #6. Tomorrow will take me farther down the same line and back at least two times. I don't have subway trip pictures, but will next post those I took on my walk along the East River. All in all, I walked over seven miles around the east side of Manhattan, and consider it a pretty good first day.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 25, 2015 2:36:31 GMT
You are intrepid! I guess stretching your legs was a treat after the long car ride. More wonderful pictures -- even though cold, the clear bright day makes the park look inviting. I focused on this sentence: After spending a couple of hours wandering around the park I left to explore a couple of the nearby streets. Yes, that area looks a likely place to find a little pied-à-terre for yourself.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 4:23:59 GMT
I recognize every single picture posted and am so nostalgic and a wee bit homesick.
Yes, NYC is a walking city. My last trip there in December of 2013 I walked from the base of Manhattan after getting off the Staten Island Ferry all the way up to E 92nd, with frequent stops. I was wiped at the end of the day but really got into it as I always do when I'm there.
If you're into maps, try and get a NYC subway map, they are free in the stations. You may have to go to the booth and inquire after one. Fascinating to sit down and look at the intracasies of the whole system.
I didn't realize your daughter was on the Upper East side. I somehow thought she had to settle for Queens. Lucky S. to have found a place in the city.
I lived on E92nd between 3rd and 2nd Avenues.
Thanks for taking us along.
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Post by anshjain97 on Mar 25, 2015 4:41:54 GMT
Thanks for this thread!
I visited New York in December and loved it. Great to see your Central Park photos (esp the obelisk- couldn't find where it was when I was there!)
I like using the subway/metro in any new place and New York's had its own charms- extremely busy stations, music etc though I found it a bit confusing- took 2 days to realise that there are 'express' and 'slow' trains.
Once again, thanks- looking forward to see more.
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Post by bjd on Mar 25, 2015 6:58:27 GMT
Thanks for these pictures. I haven't been to NYC for years -- last spent 2 weeks there in 1998, staying on the west side of the park, near the Lincoln Center.
It's a great city, and we also walked for miles every day. The park looks different (we were there in August) but it's still a wonderful place to have a break from the noise.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 10:46:43 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 11:07:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 11:11:03 GMT
Nice! Is it bad that I'm sort of impressed that they have a French translation on the sign? Quite unexpected.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 11:15:45 GMT
Funny you should mention French, Lizzy. I had teased S about practicing my pathetic French and she said I'd have no opportunity. However, on my first venture out on the streets I was joined by two older ladies as we waited to cross Madison Avenue. They were conversing about which route they should take to get to their destination. So, the first conversation I overheard on the streets of NYC was.....in French.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 11:35:18 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 11:53:06 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 12:44:40 GMT
Thanks for the kind, encouraging words, everyone. I hope you will enjoy as this trip continues to unfold.
Bixa, I know you were kidding, but you would have to pay to get me to live in one of the neighborhoods surrounding the park. The only thing I'd like about it would be the park view. I prefer my daughter's neighborhood with the buildings built in the 1920's and a more interesting population of people.
Ansh, the obelisk is behind the Metropolitan Museum.
Casimira, S lived with a cousin in Queens for several weeks while she hunted for an apartment. She had originally thought she'd live in Brooklyn, but later decided a place in Manhattan would be even better. Her rent is steep and the apartment is small, but it has a great location just a few blocks south of where you lived. She's really done an amazing job of pulling off a move to NYC. She's well suited for her new design job, loves her new employers, and has made her dream of living in New York come true all through her own hard work and continued efforts.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 13:26:22 GMT
Oh, am so glad she fulfilled her endeavor. It is a really cool neighborhood with everything you need in terms of marketing, great eateries, parks, transportation (did you notice the 2nd Ave. new subway line construction per chance? It has been going on for years it seems) and a cross section of different age groups and cultures. I know what you mean about the 5th Ave., Park Ave. etc. apartments. So staid and stuffy/snobbish. They also have incredibly strict rules. A very stifling environment.
I'm glad you got a glimpse of Gracie Mansion. I knew you would when you mentioned your location and your intentions of exploring the East Riverside parkway. I cycled that roadway almost daily.
I spied the rhododendrons in pic #6. Not in bloom quite yet, but, oh what a show when they do.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 13:34:34 GMT
I think I heard 2019 as the projected subway construction completion date.
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Post by breeze on Mar 25, 2015 14:27:10 GMT
Oh, that brings back memories. My sister-in-law had an apartment along that walkway, and her balcony looked out onto the river and across to Roosevelt Island. She liked to watch the tugboats that went back and forth day and night. All of them belonged to one family--the Morans?
During the bicentennial we sat on the balcony and watched the not-so-tall ships sail down the East River, lots and lots of them.
It was so great to be along the river, with no sound of traffic since it was underground at that location, and to watch people walking along enjoying themselves. I always thought if I had to live in New York again, this would be the place. Not that we could have afforded it.
One of her upstairs neighbors always threw their empty cans off their balcony down onto the walkway. The coop couldn't, or didn't, do anything about it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 25, 2015 16:11:41 GMT
More great pictures, Htmb -- I really feel as though I'm accompanying you on your walk. The park & river photos are really super.
Your daughter is super, too -- it can't have been easy & all the best to her in enjoying her hard-won dream.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 17:15:20 GMT
Gosh, Breeze, how wonderful you were able to enjoy your sister in-law's apartment. I'm sure she had a fantastic view. Seeing the tall ships on the bicentennial must have felt like living in a dream! How lucky for you, Breeze. Thank you, Bixa.
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Post by breeze on Mar 25, 2015 17:39:48 GMT
htmb, it was a nice view except for no trees nearby. I doubt that bothered her, but it would have gotten to me after a while.
The East River has lower bridges, so during the bicentennial only the medium ships sailed by. The really majestic ones sailed along the Hudson.
Casimira, is the neighborhood where you lived called Yorkville? That used to be a very German neighborhood.
Last time we were in NY, about two years ago, we drove through our old neighborhoods and things were so different. Of course, we lived there a long time ago!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 19:32:04 GMT
Wow, 2019 seems a stretch but considering the magnitude of the project, it's understandable. I know that work was stalled out on it because of lack of money but, then resumed. It has hurt a good number of small businesses along that stretch, and indeed, some had to close. There was/is a live web cam of what's going on "down there" and it's really fascinating to see all that goes into the construction of a subway line.
Breeze, the Yorkville area is/was more in the E mid 80's around 2nd and 3rd. Not as in evidence as it once was but there are still a couple of German restaurants around. Where I lived was closer to what was once Spanish Harlem. I was right on the fringe. It has changed so very much since I lived there too. Inevitable I guess.
I too, was there for the bicentennial and got to see the big tall ships sail into NY Harbor. I had also seen them out East on L.I. at the beach where I spent my childhood. It was quite a rush I have to say.
HTMB, how long are you there? I would love to hear about your dining experiences as there is such a wide array of foods there.
Still a bit chilly I understand. I spoke with my brother this a.m. and he said it was warming up some to 31F. Warming to him but way too cold for me. Without any wind though, much more tolerable. You get those winds coming off the water and it is bone chilling.
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Post by htmb on Mar 25, 2015 20:02:02 GMT
The composition of this photo was unplanned and was taken from a distance. I was interested in getting the hotdog stand umbrella in the shot, and was very surprised with how the photo turned out.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 25, 2015 20:11:46 GMT
Excellent images htmb...I would love to visit New York. One Day.
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Post by breeze on Mar 25, 2015 20:30:00 GMT
Htmb, I think your daughter is going to love being young, single, and gainfully employed in New York. It takes me back....
Are you now the mother of a NYCPC?
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