NYC ...Soaring over the East River!
So, you've seen the view from the top of the Empire State building.
Or been on the 70th floor at "Top Of The Rock."
Guess you've seen it all from above in New York City.
Hey, not so fast. There's the RIAT.
That's the Roosevelt Island Aerial Tram.
It wil whisk you up, up and away over and above the famed East River.
I think of trams like this at ski resorts but it's June in The City and we tourists are all about getting lots of views.
The Tramway Plaza is at East 60th and the foot of the Queensborough Bridge.
Lots of small children in the "car" when I soared up on cables.
We all were heading past the Queensborough which, I noticed, has two layers of auto traffic.
Hey, when you build a bridge, get the most out of it that you can.
When I walked the Brooklyn Bridge, I was surprised to see it had a wooden pedestrian deck.
Actually, I had seen the green gecko in the GEICO television insurance ads, walking along, talking while dodging bikers and walkers.
It was a quiet day on the East River.
Saw a tour boat come under the bridge while we looked down as we sailed overhead.
Bet the tourists craned their necks and took pictures of us. I would have.
Didn't realize until later that the glass all around us was great for viewing but also reflected back and I had to be careful which photo I selected to visually share the adventure.
You can get to Roosevelt Island by bus and, I suppose, by subway. But why would you?
Walked around, stopped at the Visitors Center and a nice New Yorker told us where to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich.
Both were good and the place was not crowded at all.
The ride back was also delightful.
Here's a
link to a video a person put together to share the sights he or she saw. Did a lot of additional shooting as "cut-ins" showing different points of view. Very well done.
Be sure to make a note to take the tram during your next visit to NYC. It's a nice offbeat trip.
Another "different" experience is around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater where I saw the Late Show with David Letterman.
"Rupert G." was behind the counter at his
Hello Deli that Dave likes to have pop up on his show.
He was kind enough to pose for this picture so I felt obligated to buy something.
He is bagging the dark blue t-shirt I bought. It's like the one displayed on the wall.
I did not realize until now his name is Rupert
Jee.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
Thanks for tagging along today.
Well,
J-E-E is pronounced Gee.
Labels: East 60th, East River, Empire State Building, GEICO gecko, Hello Deli, Queensborough Bridge, RIAT, Roosevelt Island Aerial Tram, Rupert Jee, Top of the Rock Observation decks, Tramway Plaza
A Somber, Solemn Morning in New York City...
Stayed at a nice Marriott in downtown New York.
Not too far from a subway stop.
Had just taken Amtrak down from Boston and connected at Penn Station with the right line to get over to the Financial District.
Did not realize the new nearly-completed
One World Trade Center was almost next door.
In the morning, I walked over to revisit
"Ground Zero."
The footprints for the twin towers now were reflecting pools with waterfall fountains surrounded by the engraved names of the almost 3,000 people who perished on 9-11.
A respectful single white rose had been tucked next to a person's name.
It was early and overcast.
Fitting for such a somberly impressive scene.
Only a few people at this hour. Very little conversation. No loud voices. No laughter.
It was quiet and serene.
All around this peaceful oasis the buildings stood tall, disappearing in the morning mist.
I am glad I came here.
A few of us with cameras were trying to capture the feeling, the look, of this beautiful, but sad, reminder of a horrible time.
Because of the cloudy conditions - and intermittent rain - I had cancelled my plan to go up to
Top Of The Rock at Rockefeller Center.
An Observation Deck on a day with clouds and a low ceiling was not a great idea.
Instead, I was thinking, maybe this would be a good day to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
And have lunch somewhere in Chelsea by the West Side's elevated city park & garden called
High Line.
But, first, pause, and take in the good intentions and hard work that had turned a scene of carnage into a soothing vista.
The soaring 1,776 feet tall new single memorial tower can be seen from many vantage points all around the area.
Later, from the midway point on the Brooklyn Bridge, I saw it and snapped a photo.
As well as the Statue of Liberty (miles away in the harbor) and the skyline centered around the iconic Empire State building.
New York is a great place for gawking, rubber-necking and seeing the sights.
"We're not in Kansas anymore," said Dorothy to her dog Toto as she toured Oz.
I have lived in Kansas - and its bordering state Missouri - so I can personally verify that Ms. Dorothy was very correct.
Later in the day, the sky cleared a bit and, as I wandered around
Washington Square Park, I could see One WTC towering in the distance.
In the park itself was the beautiful Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch and the Bailey Fountain.
I didn't see a sign saying to keep out of the fountain so people ventured in. And got wet.
I dodged two small children with massive water guns who were running through the crowd, squirting each other, as their mom tried to calm things down.
Our two fountains at Waterfront Park draw crowds of young "bathers," and I'm not sure if these were locals or out-of-towners.
Guess it doesn't matter. People were having a good time in a pretty, but small, "pocket park."
It was very easy to tell who got wet.
I made sure that before I left New York, I went to the huge, full square block, Mecca for serious photographers...
B & H.
My credit cards were itching to leap from my wallet but I kept my head as I perused the
Canon Camera section on the 2nd floor.
Of course there was a Nikon area as well as other zones dedicated to particular popular brand of cameras and accessories.
Hey, that large bag contains only two small memory cards.
The young saleslady told me they were the last two 2GB cards in stock.
I can believe it. Cards now have a capacity starting at 4GB or 8GB and go up to 32GB...and even larger.
She suggested I buy a 4GB card for $5 instead of buying two smaller ones at $5 each.
She finally smiled and probably thought
"IS the customer always right?"
Here are two of my favorite pictures taken at
High Line, the park-in-the-sky built on the former setting for an elevated train.
Trees, flowers and bushes in the midst of a huge city with traffic flowing all around.
And beneath the park.
More condos are rising on all sides, offering the "If you lived here, you'd be home now" concept.
I mean MANY, MANY condos are springing up ...well, like weeds...since the urban greenspace opened about two years ago.
Latecomers will pay the price but I'm sure it's worth it to them.
A sense of country in the city.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
The day started with a reverent visit to a site that will forever live in American history.
It ended with stops and tours to several green and vibrant living parks scattered around a remarkable city.
With some great pizza.
Thanks for joining me for a day of vacation.
I wonder if people still buy - and mail - picture postcards?
Labels: B&H, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, High Line elevated park, Hudson River, One WTC, Penn Station, photographers' Mecca, Top of the Rock Observation decks, Washington Square Park, Westside
