Photos of the Day: Unexpected Art Happenings

Discovered while wandering around 125th Street, outside the Cloisters, and around Washington Heights

Memorial Day, 2014

photos via iTouch

Summer Weekends 2012: Wandering the Streets

Live from New York ...
It's a(nother) day of Fun with Christine and Amelia!!!!!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

It seems only fitting that I "ended" the summer chilling with my girls, as that's how I started the summer. Instead of visiting the Isle of Entertainment, we spent the day exploring Governors Island off the coast of lower Manhattan and then had a leisurely afternoon wandering around, dining, and then happening upon various other amusements.

I'll cover the bulk of our Island Hop later, but it was delightful to get off the ferry and then go do more exploring. Amelia wanted to show us Stone Street - one of the remaining cobblestone streets in New York, now one of the trendiest areas for outdoor restaurant dining in the City. We ended up staying for a long afternoon of talking, people watching, avoiding being dive-bombed by pigeons, and yummy Mexican-inspired food.

As we sat there, the crowds came and went. Waiters broke down umbrellas belonging to one restaurant, and then began the turn-over for the evening's dinner rush. It is a scene, and I can't imagine what it's like to live near there - or over some of these places. I am definitely not one of the "beautiful people" who brunch/drink down there, so our timing was perfect.

On the left, some vintage touches in one of the historic taverns, where we didn't dine. I also didn't get over to take pictures of the door handles to Mad Dog & Beans. The hardware for the door pulls were adapted shot guns. There were many options for dining on the street, but after a day at "sea," we were in the mood for chips & salsa and then drinks for the girls.

Not pictured, the chips and salsa sampler for the first course or my side of pickled jalapenos. So good. Just enough heat - but WHOA, Am I glad I didn't get the serranos!

Below, on left, my flautas de pollo: three crispy corn tortillas filled with potato, queso fresco and stewed chicken and served with green tomatillo and roasted tomato sauces, lettuce, cabbage, pico de gallo and crema fresca (YUM!)
On the right, Christine's grilled shrimp tostada: two crispy corn tortillas with guacamole piled high with a salad of shaved romaine, white cabbage, queso fresco and pico de gallo, tossed in cilantro-basil dressing, drizzled with crema fresca and topped with grilled shrimp

Above: Amelia's mushroom quesadilla: a blend of Chihuahua and Monterey Jack cheese melted in a grilled flour tortilla, served with crema fresca and pico de gallo and a side of grilled corn smothered with chipotle mayonnaise, chili powder and queso fresco

Aren't you hungry now? A day of fresh sea air, walking, talking, and playing and we were hungry! We weren't by the time we cleared our plates. We were full. So, so full.

We did a bit more walking around lower Manhattan, back over to the subway line to take us to Grand Central. I wish I had had my video camera on to capture a) the look on the tourists' faces as b) Christine and Amelia raced each other up to the subway platform via the flights of stairs for one and the escalator for the other. Not being graceful and so, so full (or stupid), I sedately watched and took the escalator up in a more civilized manner. To be a fair friend, I will say, that they laughed, they wheezed, and then they "tied." And no tourist or friends were harmed in the tomfoolery.

Also missed in documenting, the variety of panhandlers now operating on the subway. We had too much to discuss about various subjects to pay attention to the spiel anyway. (Yes, still. Even after a day of walking, talking, and dining. We have a lot to work through after a few weeks/months!)

We got back to Grand Central in between departure times for our various trains, so before stocking up on drinks and magazines for some, we discovered that there was a street fair going on on Lexington Avenue right outside Grand Central. Out back to the streets to explore.

A lot of these vendors are the same ones that travel between events in the City. In fact, I recognized the scarves and bracelets from my other trip to lower Manhattan from the day I went to Staten Island. However, we stumbled on the youngest (and cheapest) psychic in New York taking a short break from his consultations,

the reason why there are overweight people/rodent issues in New York,

and the "Home of the World's Best Brownie!"Thank goodness I was so full of chips, salsa, and jalapenos. No temptation for the popcorn, brownies, or the red velvet whoopie pies I see lurking in the display.

I did spy future retail opportunities for some of my relatives, as well as bikes that would almost induce me into trying to ride one again. ALMOST. After a year - the "shark bites" have almost completely healed and the mental scars are fading.

Such a wonderful day in the City with some very lovely ladies who are game for exploring all kinds of things and taking adventures all over the different kinds of seashores in the New York and New England area with me!

XO Girls. Let's go back soon!

Summer Weekends 2012: Scenes from Summer Streets

I really like participating in New York's Summer Streets. It's a great way to really see New York from another vantage point and get a new perspective on all kinds of New Yorkers.

This year, I walked a new portion of the stretch (96th to Union Square), and also walked southward while the other participants were moving northerly. Even though it was only a few hours into the morning, some "people" were already doggone tired.

I would just like to mention that these people walking their dog on the left here were actually NOT in the right lane. There are areas for those on foot, those slower on foot, and the wheeled crew. There were also designated rest areas, but the people above on the right had pooped out before they got there.

One of the rest stops just north of Grand Central on Park Avenue had people learning how to do Tai Chi, or hanging out for photo ops on the big inflated couch. Not pictured were the people taking advantage of the rest stop's proximity to a large church to run in, confess, take in a bit of inner peace, light a candle or two, or stay for mass.

One of the best parts of Summer Streets is being able to get up close and personal with Grand Central Terminal - going around the building on streets normally reserved for cars. On the left, the view as we enter the southbound stretch. On the right, looking back toward the Helmsley building. It was so much fun to "pull over," and take pictures of 43rd and 42nd streets looking West towards Times Square - but you did have to make sure a biker didn't take you out.

From this close, you can really make out the details of the Beaux Arts architecture on Grand Central - and note the GCT logo intertwined in the wrought-iron piece over the door.

The height and width of the windows is really amazing too. It's really almost too bad that the skyscrapers have surrounded and obscured the amount of light that streams into the center of the Terminal. Here's some perspective: cyclists, windows, and building

There was a lot of bird watching going on that morning. But it was so hot and hazy, you had to keep moving to get a breeze. Flying away from Grand Central ... to spots further south.

Near the 25th "rest stop" I came across these cuties checking out - Well, I'm almost as confused as they are by this rare bird. But, I have the Internet to tell me that he's the mascot for GreeNYC. I love their expressions.

I know I've mentioned before that I like to find little things that are interesting or amusing on my various perambulations around New York. Did you know that mid-town used to be the country? Apparently it was also the site of some Revolutionary War action - where the colonists and Royalists butted head over freedom (see what I did there?). Actually, the stags were on another building, but I can't remember where on my walk on Park they were.

Eventually I ended up at Union Square where interesting plaques like this one are walked over by millions of tourists and completely missed. Seriously, until I spotted this and then did research, I'm not sure even I knew that there are 22 set in the ground around the plaza. They are hard to spot, with the various Farmers Market stalls set up, and people running around to get seasonal produce. After a long hot walk, you get fixated on food - and all the varieties and colors.

I started thinking about making salsa, pico de gallo and gazpacho after seeing all these beauties. Instead I treated myself to a scone (I felt I deserved the carbs after that walk), ducked into the subway station and headed home for a long cold shower.

I only did one of the three Summer Streets this year, for all that I talked about doing other stretches of it to see lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge from another angle. However, due to the overwhelming success, the City is already planning the 2013 dates and I will be there -- with better sneakers!

Who wants to fly to New York to walk with me? Usually the first three Saturdays in August! Save the Dates.

Summer Weekends 2012: Signs from Summer Streets

Summer Streets was held again this year. From 7am to 1 pm, the first three Saturdays in August parts of Park Avenue from 72nd Street south to the Brooklyn Bridge are closed to automotive traffic.

It's a good way to explore another part Manhattan. What with my wanderings this summer, I'm finally starting to get a sense of parts of this place from the ground level.

The Saturday I went, I started north of the prescribed area and wandered south from 96th to 14th Street. It was hazy, hot, and oh, so humid, so I wandered alone on the streets aside from runners, dog walkers, doormen, and the bikers out early in the morning until I got to the Grand Central area--when it really started to get crowded.

Along the way, I let the scenery begin to speak to me - and started to see some amazing street signs/urban art.

I was encouraged to write.

I got some new perspectives on the City. (I could have flipped these, but I think a new way of looking at things is a little illuminating once in a while.)


I started looking at utility poles and boxes for little surprises.

The Park Avenue Amory is proud of itself.

Meanwhile ...


The music nerd that I am wants to know more about the metronome.
And I'm starting to see these tags more and more often throughout the City.

I first spotted one of these last year -- now I'm on the lookout all the time.