The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

I have always been struck by the iconic views I have seen of the Brooklyn Bridge and I was not disappointed to experience it first-hand on this moody, cloudy day. If fact, it made for a fitting black and white photo treatment. I started on the Manhattan side, walked across to Brooklyn, and then walked back to Manhattan.



These first two views are looking east towards Brooklyn. In the center of the right-of-way, pedestrians and bicycles are hosted, and below and to the left and right are three lanes of vehicle traffic coming into or leaving Manhattan. The center slat decking is wood and feels good underfoot.



This view is on the way back to Manhattan from Brooklyn, the World Trade Center is visible to the left with the tall spire.



The bridge was built in 1875, and there is always maintenance work to be done as the construction scaffold to the left of the arch demonstrates. Chatting up a worker, he said that before the scaffold was constructed, they had to climb up the support cables just like you'd imagine, foot over foot and hand over hand.



There were many folks of my generation out enjoying the walk. And a few younger folks mostly pushing strollers, too.



The big oval mouse ears on the cables prevent unauthorized access to the superstructure for trouble-makers, partiers, or jumpers.

Like much of Manhattan, bikes and pedestrians are shown a surprising amount of respect and priority. What a place - New York, New York. 

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Central Park, the 850-acre "backyard" of all New Yorkers is, like so much of New York, built at a scale that almost overwhelms the smaller town sensibilities of someone like me. Scattered beauty of springtime was particularly nice in this mixed tulip bed.....

....and a nearby arbor covered with a fragrant stand of wisteria.

Mix in the music of buskers of great skill and artistry and you have the makings of a human experience hard to beat.



Children of any and every age play with abandon.

Rowboats are a popular choice, too, on this smaller lake.



And pandemic or not, people still get married and various locations are popular photo spots throughout the park. And at this time of year, I saw many folks in caps and gowns celebrating graduations, too, from the many local well-regarded institutions of higher learning.



Multiple subway lines run up and down both sides of the park with multiple stops for easy access.



Mostly, for my post-pandemic experience, the subway was not intensely crowded though I did not travel at peak rush hours.



And for such decades of time and such a heavily-used system, the stations I passed through were more well-kept than I expected. Though I am past that age of youthful hopefulness, it's impossible not to feel and notice the energy and electricity that has, does, and will continue to draw countless people from all over the world to pursue the New York dream.  And come fall, expect the pandemic-shuttered live theatres to reopen and the lights of Broadway to beckon one and all!

A Post Vaccine Adventure - Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Three weeks after completing the vaccine process, I boarded a hi-speed train in Providence, RI, for a three-hour ride to the recently reopened and refurbished Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in downtown New York City - my first real outing in 14 months of pandemic living.

It was a perfect spring day, bright sunshine, a light chill in the air - after checking in to my hotel, I made a beeline for the High Line after arrival in Manhattan.

The first time I heard about the High Line I was intrigued. It's an impossibly uplifting and inspiring story of how two regular local men spear-headed an extraordinary grassroots effort to preserve rather than demolish an old abandoned elevated railway and convert it into an urban park. It winds for about a mile and a half through much of Chelsea. Resident New Yorkers and visitors alike, young and old, have taken it to heart since its 2009 opening. It now enjoys extraordinary popularity where all can enjoy nature, art, and design and walk without fear of street traffic since the track floats above the fray on its steel infrastructure. So many people and decisions and contributions had to all come together to make this happen. It was no small feat.

 


The old tracks are still visible along much of the parkland.



Admission is free, it's open seven days a week with an online reservation system on weekends to prevent over-crowding at peak demand times.



Just people are allowed - no pets. Though it appears "wild" in many places, the plantings are lovingly cared for and curated by people in the know, both professionals and neighbors.



At the northern terminus, (not technically on the High Line), the Vessel is a popular photo and hangout spot though people access is closed right now to the 150-foot tall beehive-looking structure. 

Like so much of New York, the High Line and its features are created on a grand scale fit for the many to enjoy. And I surely do........ah, New York, New York - start spreadin' the news.

Out and About, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Dedicated bicycle lanes now surround much of the Boston Common and Public Garden properties downtown.

One last cherry tree for this year blossoms in the Public Garden.

The crowds are returning to outdoor dining at the cafes along Boylston Street.

Hanging out on a park bench has always been a good passage of time.

It used to be that just the student film crews from neighboring colleges would be seen doing projects in the parks. Now, anybody anywhere with a high-quality smartphone can be found filming something or other. Here a group performs a dance routine.

Spring just gets greener and warmer on each visit. Ah, Boston...........

Tulip Time, Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The blooming magnolias and cherry trees have slowly given way to the tulips. Thousands of bulbs are sprouting in the Public Garden on this beautiful weekend visit (April 24th).



The blooms are popular for portraits.



And you can pick your preferred color.

The parks folks plant 25,000 or so bulbs every November to get ready to delight us in spring - and they've done so every year since the 1840's.

Out and About, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

I found this lovely stand of cherry trees on the edge of the Boston Common still in bloom (on April 18th).



The no-leash area of the Boston Common is always a fun spot to visit. An officially designated area, dogs off-leash get to play and chase and sniff and run with wild abandon. It's such a treat to watch them playing free - and getting along with each other for the most part.



A couple of newlyweds stroll through the Boston Common, enroute to........

.... a photo and video session in the Public Garden. Even in a pandemic, hope springs eternal.

A Final Look - Magnolia Blossoms, Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

These folks planted tulips the same colors as the magnolia overhead - a stunning choice.

This is my final round of pictures from this year's magnolia extravaganza in Boston (on April 18th). Three consecutive weekends have provided a wealth of nice images this year. I think the peak was during this past week judging by the fallen petals on the sidewalk.

It's still a popular location for portraits.

And for locals to walk the dog.

Or push a carriage.

Goodbye - until next year.

Now that magnolia season has ended, it's time for the tulips!