MosheR Loc: New York City

No. I didn’t run out of wonderful foreign places to post, but yesterday was very unique for us, so I decided to document a little of it here.

To me, New York City is one of the greatest places on our planet in which to live. And I’ve been to a lot of places from which to make comparisons. I’m not going to go into all the things we have to see and do here, as I’m absolutely positive the there are many of you who will justly disagree with me. One thing I certainly will admit is that there are many of you who live in areas where the natural scenery is so spectacular, that every day you are confronted with sights that we in my fair city can only dream of. However, we do have Central Park.

Yesterday, October 28th, was one of those weather related days that any of us, no matter where we live, wish we had a lot more of. The temperature was in the high seventies, the humidity was comfortably low, the sky was a clear blue and, for all of we New Yorkers, and our many, many visitors, all was right with the world.

I’m not going to go into the history of the park. Basically, it was designed in 1858 by two men, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, with Olmstead being the chief designer. (Somewhat later, Vaux designed our Museum of Natural History.) Its aim was to add a modicum of democracy to the city, allowing a natural mix of people from all classes of life to bounce into and off of one another, and get them all out into some fresh air … for free. And after many lumps and bumps along the way between then and now, it succeeded.

And yesterday proved it. The park was more jammed than I had ever experienced, if one doesn’t count special events into the mix. That’s a different story. My wife and I cancelled a couple of theater reservations we already had in order to spend our day there, and we were glad we did.

After some initial time meandering together we separated, my wife toodeling around the little pond where kids float model boats, and I rambling in the Rambles, the park’s version of natural woods.

The first thing we encountered when we got into the park was a young couple walking their costumed dog. I, for one, do not like costumes on an animal as I consider it as stealing its dignity. Of course I realize that dogs do not have dignity in the same sense that we have, and that if the costume is not uncomfortable, the animal is totally indifferent to it. But it bothers me anyway. (For those of you reading this who disagree with me, fine.) But here was this little dog, a boxer, wearing a costume which it represented a boxer. It broke through my distaste barrier and I asked if I could take its photo. To be fair, I asked both the humans, and the dog. The humans answered. The dog didn’t. But it never objected either, and it did sort of pose.
Then I strolled over to the nearby boating pond and took a few shots of its famous and graceful Bow Bridge. Again, I’m not going to go into its history but I just posted a couple of photos below just so you can see how my normally gray city can look when the light, the place, and the weather conditions are just right.

Crossing the bridge and turning to the right, I began to meander through the “woodlands” of the Rambles, but, as every place else there at that time, it was way too crowded for my taste. So I rambled randomly for a while, then went back to rejoin my wife.

These pics are very different from those I usually submit.

This is the little boxer in his "boxer" costume, as described in my narrative. I never even bothered to ask his name, and his owners had no interest in having a copy of the photo. I lowered my near eighty one year old body wayyy down to get this pic.

(Download)

The Boat Pond and The Rambles. See the people on that rock. That's one of my "go to spots." It's always empty, as if reserved for me, so they have no right being there. I told you it was crowded.

(Download)

A pan of the Bow Bridge, with The Rambles in the background. There are always SOME people on it, but this time it was a chore just to walk across.

(Download)

A closer view of Bow Bridge and The Rambles. Actually I was happy there were so many folks enjoying one of my city's great achievements. I'm a five minute walk away, and can go back there any time I please.

(Download)

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Beautiful colors in the place you love. The dog is a Boston Terrier but when I was small many called the Boston Bulldogs. Beautiful bridge too!!!

MosheR Loc: New York City

Thanks very much, Jo. I know a little more about dogs than I do about horses, which is about the same as saying that a flea is larger than a mite. (Or the other way around.) The guy told me boxer, so I went with boxer. And yes, I love to go to that park to read, walk, cycle, and sometimes just sit and let go.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Everybody needs and deserves some of that relaxing "ME" time now and then. Makes one feel so refreshed,

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I’m sure there are plenty of people that feel like you do and that’s great. For me, it’s the country. Never lock the door, if I wanted to run around naked I could and no one would know any different, I can build a shed or barn or even a house without getting permits and if I let dandelions grow rampant in the yard no one cares if I turn the sheep loose to eat them. Yes Walmart is 10 miles away and in the winter time I have to get the tractor to clear 1/4 mile of driveway, but to each their own. Such differences are what makes the world go around.

MosheR Loc: New York City

I absolutely agree with you. It is those differences that make the world go round. I can appreciate that there are many folks who would not want to live in a city like New York, and I acknowledged that in my narrative. And, by the way, in my apartment, we can walk around completely naked all the time. We're pretty high up, and the nearest place at our level is about six blocks away, so we have lots of privacy, and lots of light.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Fantastic set!!

black mamba

You've provided the members of this forum with sights and experiences from around the world that we, otherwise, would probably never get to enjoy....certainly not the number of places coupled with your incomparable narratives. So it's only fitting that we repay that honor, as best we can, and accompany you on a trip through Central Park.

I've been to the city you so love only 3 times, dating back to the 7o's. The first time was exhilarating, experiencing sights and sounds that were a bit alien to a youngster from the South. The second time, with a little more maturity under my belt, I tried to absorb more of the cultural offerings of the the city and its populace. The last time I was there, it was a struggle to remain unbiased toward the place. Swarms of people, concrete stretching for miles and nary a tree in sight, and traffic of monumental proportions, did little to change my attitude toward the city.

With all of that said, sharing your trip to Central Park with you did mitigate, somewhat ,a largely negative feel for the city. Thank goodness, as I see it, you have this park to dip back into a pool of normalcy. I don't mean to be overly harsh and critical of the place that you and your wife love so much. We all need to be fed by our chosen environment. The fact that the city nourishes you, as it does, bodes well for all of us because then you'll have the strength to continue on and enthrall us all with your visions and travels.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

Beautiful set. I spent a glorious Fall day there about five years ago with my camera. Just a little hesitant now given the change in society.

Craig Meyer Loc: Sparks, NV

Mamba,
I credit you for hitting the Central Park and very many other "Open Spaces" in the City squarely on the head.. Even back in the 18th Century the City Elders recognized the exceptional Confluence of natural resources and a combination of the most diligent nationalities who inhabited the place at the time. The native population, though treated shabbily, were at the top of their capabilities and made excellent and lasting contribution's that serve us today. They knew that their home would grow entirely beyond their wildest dreams. And for the people, grand and regular would need great facilities to cope. And they invested for a long time.

I was born and raised there. Midtown and Central Park were my studios and practice grounds since I was eight years old. I quickly learned the Moment just after "f8 and be there...." But it took me almost a lifetime to take it to the Nature which I shot just as quickly after the shadows of the canyon like streets drove me uptown to get some of that Golden Hour.

A few roasted chestnuts, usually half price for me at the end of the day, hop on the BMT using my High School Transit Pass and back to Astoria for a perpetually great dinner.

Echoing Moshe, looking back from just short of Age 80, it was and still is a great classroom. While I was able to move West for most of my adulthood and realize my dreams of 14,9000 foot peaks, I never have to wonder "what are those idiots doing? and why???? I know! And those questions contain the exact answers to them.

Thinking of Central Park, My HS Prom in 1960 was at the Plaza. A reality for a New York kid, a lifetime Cinderella Fantasy for so many more.


C

Dannj

When I was a kid Central Park was often my playground. Great memories for me.

philo Loc: philo, ca

So glad you love your city. with all of the bad press i would be afraid to visit. I lived and worked in San Francisco and wouldn't go there either.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nice set.