Snow Day!

A miracle happened when Chancellor Black actually gave NYC public schools a day off.  I'd say 20" of snow warranted the break!  I took the extra free time as an opportunity to make up on missed outdoor time; I put on 2 pairs of sweat pants, multiple shirts, my hiking socks and boots, and set out with the dog to explore in the cold.  Patrick and I walked around Hell's Kitchen and wound up at the dog park for 3 hours!  The snow was already pretty packed down at the dog park but it was still over a foot high!  We had a ton of fun and both got home ready for rest and hot chocolate (well, that part was just for me!).  I love fresh snow fall in NYC!

You can see how high the snow was piled after plowing and shoveling were complete.

Last year, the awning outside The Daily Show collapsed due to the weight of snow.  I guess they reinforced it this year!

Like I said, the snow on the ground was pretty packed down in the dog park but look at how high it still was! You can get a sense of the total snow fall from the accumulation on the bench; it hadn't really been touched.

When we first arrived there was no one else there, but Patrick was happy to run around and sniff every inch of the snow sans canine friends.

This bench had beautifully perfect snow on it until Patrick decided he deserved to take a bench break.

On the way home I noticed this absurdly long, skinny box resting on the corner garbage can with a snow cap of its own.

Walking in DC

This post is very overdue!  While I was home in Washington, DC for Christmas, my parents and I went for a heritage walk in their neighborhood, Columbia Heights.  DC has a series of heritage walks, which are self-guided tours that lead you to a series of signs that tell you about the history of the area.  It was very windy and snowy so we were frozen by the end of the 3 mile walk but we had a lot of fun and warmed up with hot cocoa from scratch when we got home :)  The pictures below give you an idea of some of the sights we saw!

Santa bid us farewell as we set out on our chilly adventure!

Our first stop was just a few blocks from my parents' house.  (P.S. How cute are my parents??)

Our route through NW Washington, DC.

This reminds me of the Christmas decorations I saw in Puerto Rico.

The text written here reads, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the finer sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. - Dwight Eisenhower"

This church is named "Greater Tried Stone Baptist Church" -- bonus points if you can figure out what that means!

At sign #6 (out of 19).

How cool is this storefront?

The view of the city from Cardoza High School -- if you look closely you can see the Capitol Building to the left and the Washington Monument to the right.

I loved that someone took the time to put decorations up at this empty lot and the contrast of the garbage also caught there.

Here you can see the snow starting to accumulate in Meridian Hill Park.

As for my next walk, the forecast is currently very icky weather for the weekend.  I may still venture out but will have to wait and see how things are looking.  If I do make plans, I'll be sure to post them here!

Times Square Holidays!

I love holiday time in midtown!  Everyone is in a cheery mood and the packed sidewalks, Christmas carols, and gaudy decorations remind me of the annual family trips we to NYC when I was a kid.  We would catch a Broadway show, do some site seeing, and check out a local favorite at the TKTS booth.  Talk about an awesome Christmas present, huh?

This weekend Patrick and I hoofed it over to Rockefeller Center after a couple hours at the dog park.  Below is a taste of the holiday cheer that we observed.

Also, you may notice I've changed the permissions on this blog.  I've decided that I will make the blog public so if you want to join me for a walk you'll need to leave a comment here or call, text, or e-mail me to arrange a meeting time and place.  I hope to walk with you soon!

Notice the green bow Patrick got at Paws in Chelsea when he boarded there over Thanksgiving.

"Fewer pictures, more walking!"

This sparkling blue Christmas tree at the Brazilian churrascaria down the street is like a shining beacon when it's dark out.

The local hot dog vendor is decked out, too!

Giant Xmas lights on 6th Avenue.

Thar she blows!  I need to go back by in the dark -- I bet it's beautiful!

Look on top of the marquis for RCMH's Christmas cheer.  Tall and skinny is our Radio City rolls!

These giant ornaments define the holidays for me!

Even New York's finest were stopping to have a touristy moment.

Patrick and I waded through this mass of people -- it took us almost an hour to walk down 49th Street between 6th and 10th!

I love these simple but breathtaking decorations!

Next week: I'm open to suggestions!  Let me know if you'd like to walk with me!  Check back for details later this week.  (Don't think you'll remember?  Follow my blog and it will be e-mailed directly to you!)

Re-do

I wound up at the dog park instead of going for a walk this weekend (naughty!) so I am simply rescheduling the plan for last week!

Saturday, December 11
2:00pm
Meet at my apartment (e-mail me for directions if you need them)
Walk through midtown to see holiday decorations!

Hope to see you there!

Happy December!

I'm back in NYC and will be back on my walking schedule this weekend.  I'll be doing a tour of Midtown to see the holiday decorations that are all shiny and new!  Meet me and Patrick at my apartment at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 4th.  Don't know my address?  E-mail me or leave a comment here and I will send it to you!

Walk #2 - Brooklyn, Bella, and Nancy

Today I met up with Nancy in Brooklyn.  Well, the meeting up part was trickier than anticipated thanks to massive construction and MTA re-routing but we managed and we had a lovely afternoon!  I realized I didn't take too many photos because we were so busy chatting but here's what I've got:

Meet Bella, Nancy's pup!

We sat and looked at the skyline for a bit.

Bella and Nancy getting ready to move on.

Look closely and check out the creepy cardboard cut-out people in these condos!

 

 

 

455 and a half!

All in all, we had a great time!  Lovely fall weather, the river, the skyline, good conversation, and ice cream . . . what more could you want??


Next weekend I may be in Rhode Island.  If not, I'll post my walking plans later this week!

Walk #1 - Autumn in Central Park

I did a solo walk today in the Southern end of Central Park.  Well, that's if you don't count Patrick, who had a blast bopping around the park!  It was a great walk but I wasn't dressed in enough layers to stay out as long as I had hoped.  Also, Patrick refused to wear his backpack today, so I just dumped my water bottle, doggy water bowl, iPod, and phone in my purse, which turned out to be a total pain in the neck.  Next time, one or both of us is bringing a backpack!

On our way to the park I couldn't stop smiling after we saw this guy toting a wheel-cart full of boxes down the street like any old New Yorker:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Emerson

I was an avid LOST fan, even through the poorly written seasons so it was a nice start to the walk to see Mr. Emerson hoofing it in my very own neighborhood!

Patrick and I walked, climbed, and rested in the park.  I was surprised at how many people were out and as I walked around looking for interesting photo ops we stumbled upon a number of lovey-dovey couples as well!  Below are the photos I took while we were out!

I rode this carousel with my campers this summer.  Today Patrick and I climbed the rocks behind it -- I love the combination of elements in this view!

The bridges in Central Park are so beautiful!

Gotta love the fall colors!

Notice the city peaking through!

Under a bridge -- I think this is my favorite photo from today!

The ING marathon is tomorrow -- good luck to those who have been training for it!!

We walked past Lincoln Center on the way home and stumbled on the circus!

All in all, a good start to this project!  Next Saturday, 11/13: I'm meeting my friend Nancy for coffee and a walk near the Brooklyn Bridge!  If you want in on the walk part, you'll need to give me a call!