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!

The Plan

I started teaching Drama at a middle school in the Bronx this fall and have found the transition from graduate school to working in the public school system more challenging than I had anticipated.  In an effort to maintain my sanity I have taken on a few initiatives that will give me a break from life and work in the Big Apple, one of which is finding time to get out of my apartment, away from work, and talk to friends.  Twice in the past month or so I've met up with girlfriends to walk through Central Park and catch up.  It was so cathartic I've decided to make it a regular project!

Each weekend I am going to take at least 2 hours to take a walk in the city.  I'll be on the move with my walking shoes and my digital camera -- I'll post a review of each walk and the plan for the following week here.  I'll be starting close to home exploring Central Park but am looking forward to taking walks through Manhattan and other boroughs as well.  There are so many ways to enjoy this city for free -- let's take advantage of them!

I will be using this blog to chronicle my walks in the city and to invite my friends to join me.  I'll be starting this Saturday, November 6th -- meet me at the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park at 2:00pm -- I'll be there with Patrick, my dog, and my walking shoes on!  I expect to walk and enjoy the park for 2 hours.

Don't think you can be on time but want to join us part-way through?  Give me a call!

Want to join me and have ideas for locations we should check out?  Leave me a comment or send me an e-mail!