Central Park, New York - Part 4

It's a place to go and spot the movie starts, or perhaps their dogs.

It's a place to go for long walks on idyllic spring or autumn days

It's a place to go to look at a zoo, though I didn't realize there was one until I made a wrong turn.

It's a place to go for a horse and carriage ride, although it does not last that long

It's a place to go to look at statues, fountains, architecture, and in winter, an ice skating rink

I'm sure there's a whole lot more there that I don't know about.

I have to say I've only visited in winter, and the first time there was snow, the second, none.

Both times it was cold, but this didn't seem to deter people.

But...

We decided to go visit another part of the park, this time walking to West 67th Street before crossing Central Park West and into the park where Sheep Meadow is.

Once upon a time sheep did graze on the meadow, but these days it is designated a quiet area inspiring calm and refreshing thoughts, except for a period in the 1960s where there was more than one counter culture protest, or love in, going on.

And, there's the sign to say it was Sheep Meadow,

and that's the meadow behind the sign,

Well, I don't see any sheep, but of course, that's not why the meadow is named or should there be any sheep on it.  That greenery that can be seen, restoring for the spring, was a very expensive addition to the park.

As a matter of fact, there is nothing was on it, because signs were up to say the meadow was closed for the winter, a new and interesting variation on the 'Don't Walk On The Grass' signs.

I'm sure I could climb the fence, or, maybe not.  I'm a bit old to be climbing fences.

So, unable to walk on the grass, we tossed an imaginary coin, should we go towards West 110th Street, or back to West 59th Street.

West 59th Street won.

and, just in case we had any strange ideas about walking on the grass, the fence was there to deter us.  Perhaps if we had more determination...

One positive aspect of the park is that you could never get lost, and the tall buildings surrounding the park are nearly always visible through the trees, more so in winter because there is no foliage, maybe less so later in the year.

There is also a lot of very large rocky type hills, or outcrops where people seem to stand on, king of the mountain style, or sit to have a picnic lunch, quickly before it freezes.

Yes, it is cold outside and seems more so in the park.

I wondered briefly if it ever got foggy, then this place would be very spooky, particularly after the sun goes down.

Lake Louise, Canada - A winter wonderland - Part 2

We survived the first night and woke the next morning to look at the sun rising, and the fact everyone else was not lingering in bed when there was ice, snow, skating, skiing, and walking on (perhaps) thin ice to be done.

I was the first to brave the elements, it was about mins 10 still, or maybe a little colder, but I had come prepared with a hat, gloves, multiple layers of clothing and a (maybe) windproof jacket.

Of course, there was no wind, just cold.

Stepping out of the warm inside of the hotel to the cold outside was a shock, but after a minute or so to get used to it, I still didn't think I'd be out too long.

First, a photo of the hotel, it was immense, and it explained why there were so many people about.

Then it was the partly frozen trees.  I suspect there had been a little thawing of the snow on the branches

Then of the frozen lake, and it is quite a large lake, and incredible one so large could completely freeze.  I'd like to see it in summer.

Then the brave adventurers who, in summer would be rowing to the end of the lake, who now were taking a hike, and praying no doubt, there was no thin ice

Were they trying to get a close look at this mountain, or considering climbing it.  Yes, there were actual mountain climbers staying at the hotel, and though we didn't know it till later, there was a frozen waterfall which proved the most adventurous with an interesting challenge

More of course, on a unique feature at this hotel, the ice castle.

Lake Louise, Canada - A winter wonderland - Part 1

And,

Bloody freezing.

We arrived mid-afternoon in a heated car, taking the last 500 yards up the icy, snow-covered, entrance to the hotel very slowly.

Outside, it was cold, and it took a minute or so to pluck up the courage to get out.  Of course, the approach of the concierge staff, looking very much like they wanted to unload the car and get back inside, hastening our entrance to the hotel.

Believe me, I thought it was quite possible to freeze to death in that short distance between the car and the front door.  After all, it was somewhere around minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

The foyer was cavernous, and thronging with people.

It seems the freezing cold does not deter a great many people.

So, what was our first view of the lake and so-called wonderland, much preferably taken from the window of our room,

An ice skating rink, an ice hockey rink, and a frozen lake.  Not to mention the astonishing and breathtaking view of the sun on the snow capped mountains.

Nothing and I mean nothing, can prepare you for the magnificence of the view.

And this was just from our room!

Later, it appears some very brave individuals were about to go on a sleigh ride.

That is probably the epitome of what I believe is central to being in the middle of a winter wonderland,

But it was not only one group of brave souls, but there were also quite a few groups.

At least they were all suitably rugged up.

I have to say I felt sorry for the horses.

Away for the holidays - Central Park, New York - Part 3

It's a place to go and spot the movie starts, or perhaps their dogs.

It's a place to go for long walks on idyllic spring or autumn days

It's a place to go to look at a zoo, though I didn't realize there was one until I made a wrong turn.

It's a place to go for a horse and carriage ride, although it does not last that long

It's a place to go to look at statues, fountains, architecture, and in winter, an ice skating rink

I'm sure there's a whole lot more there that I don't know about.

I have to say I've only visited in winter, and the first time there was snow, the second, none.

Both times it was cold, but this didn't seem to deter people.

But...

We escaped, before the real cold set in, and made it back to the hotel.  We're going to return because there's more to see.

Like statues,

Sir Walter Scott, of Ivanhoe fame, a Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright, and historian

Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist,  He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement

Christopher Columbus, hang on, how did he get in this collection?

Fitz-Greene Halleck was an American poet notable for his satires and sometimes called "the American Byron"

And someone who's not dead, and not likely to freeze in the cold air, a drummer, who was doing his best to entertain the few people who stopped to list.

And he wasn't all that bad, either.

Away for the holidays - Central Park, New York - Part 2

It's a place to go and spot the movie starts, or perhaps their dogs.

It's a place to go for long walks on idyllic spring or autumn days

It's a place to go to look at a zoo, though I didn't realize there was one until I made a wrong turn.

It's a place to go for a horse and carriage ride, although it does not last that long

It's a place to go to look at statues, fountains, architecture, and in winter, an ice skating rink

I'm sure there's a whole lot more there that I don't know about.

I have to say I've only visited in winter, and the first time there was snow, the second, none.

Both times it was cold, but this didn't seem to deter people.

But...

From various points in the park, you could see the Manhattan skyline.  It was hard for me to tell what I was looking at, but I was always hoping to get a look at the Upper West Side, a place, I know, I could never afford to live.

Still, whatever part it was, it looked good in the afternoon sun,

There are also a lot of bridges to walk under, some with carve-outs and statues, others empty, perhaps once having a statue.

If only I had some idea where I was.  The trick is, you keep walking towards the buildings because they're on the edge, and then head in the right direction.

Ah, this seems to be the right direction, hopefully leading back to Columbus Circle.

Perhaps we should ask for directions.

I'll let you know how we fared in the next post.

Away for the holidays - Central Park, New York - Part 1

It's a place to go and spot the movie starts, or perhaps their dogs.

It's a place to go for long walks on idyllic spring or autumn days

It's a place to go to look at a zoo, though I didn't realize there was one until I made a wrong turn.

It's a place to go for a horse and carriage ride, although it does not last that long

It's a place to go to look at statues, fountains, architecture, and in winter, an ice skating rink

I'm sure there's a whole lot more there that I don't know about.

I have to say I've only visited in winter, and the first time there was snow, the second, none.

Both times it was cold, but this didn't seem to deter people.

But...

This time there was no snow, so there was a sort of bleak beauty about it

and, as I said, it was not enough to deter the people.

They could, of course, be there to play games, such as chess or checkers

Or be there, like us, to go to the souvenir building, or just to get a map

And, the closer to the building you got, the more chance you had to see the squirrels

who would sometimes pose for the photographers,

or run like hell into the nearest tree when they saw children coming

It adds a who new meaning to 'quick as a flash'.

More on the park in the next post!

Away for the holidays - New York - Day 2

Today we have a mission and get up earlier than yesterday.  I can't remember how much earlier though.

My early morning walk has now been dubbed the coffee run, running the gamut of New York's finest baristas to get Rosemary what we call, in Australia, a double shot decaf skinny latte.

Ok, they get the double shot, they get the decaf, and they get the latte.  Skinny milk, never heard of it.  Here I think there is whole milk, 2%, and 1%, which I think refers to the amount of fat.  I'm still not sure.

And when it comes to the size of the cup, small medium or large, not even pointing directly at it gets what I want. Day 1 was right, day 2 I got a small.

Then, just to totally take the 'barista' out of the comfort zone, I asked for a small Black.

What the? 

You mean an expresso in a small cup.  Is there such a thing?  Fearing the worst I finally get what I asked for.  I guess some things they can't get wrong.

Oh, and by the way, the art of the true barista has been lost because all they do is press a button.  No wonder the coffee is sometimes terrible.

Our mission since we accepted it, is to find Toys R Us in Times Square.  Years ago we went there with Catie our eldest granddaughter and she rode in a Barbie car on a huge Ferris wheel inside the shop.

If it's still there, we need to buy a pixmi unicorn, an expensively priced stuffed toy unique to North America.

We all get to walk down to Times Square via 7th Avenue, and when we get there it appears to have undergone major changes since our last visit, and where toys were, hoardings and a 'to rent' sign.  We'd heard the company had failed and closed down but we expected some of the franchise stores would still be open.

Not so for the Times Square store.

What was an eye-opener was the number and size of the advertising signs most of which are almost television screens.  Certainly, they advertise not only Broadway productions but also cable tv offerings, with the odd McDonalds and Hershey on the side.

And then there was the one advertising razors.  It was borderline when it comes to being too risque.  Still, it got the message across, even if it does offend some sensibilities.

Far from being exhausted from that quest, and seeing we haven't had breakfast, and, equally, it was about lunch time, we went to the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Times Square.  It was opposite a Red Lobster, but we didn't go there.  Not today.

I started with a large Samuel Adam's lager, the first of many over the coming week.  This was followed by their Classic American burger, medium rare, and it was simply meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, and it was delicious, probably one of the best burgers I've ever had.

To burn off some calories after lunch we walked back to Central Park, and this time ventured as far as the Sheep Meadow before deciding that was enough exercise.

Heading back up 7th Avenue we stumbled upon Rockefeller center and a confectionary and toy store called FAO Schwartz.  A lot of confectionary.  It gives us ideas for the granddaughters when we return another day.  The most interesting, a large slice of Pizza made up of confection.

It is near the skating rink at Rockefeller Center, so we watch the adventurous and not so skillful skaters for a few minutes before heading back to the hotel.