September 2nd – September 8th
2013
MONDAY: Labor
day, city, some walk, hot and humid, home, relax.
TUESDAY: Work.
Groceries. School. Reading. Walk/run in Nicholas park.
WEDNESDAY:
Work. NYC Botanical Garden in Bronx (free, grounds only). Sunny. Less
humid. Really pretty, roses (we saw first ones half a year ago in
California), flower gardens – pleasant for eyes. Other subway line
home – saw Bronx from subway, walked along 135th street.
Grocery store. Walk/run in Nicholas park. J. had terrible day at
work.
THURSDAY: Slow
and easy morning, small preparation for Michigan trip for J. Strand
bookstore near Union Square. Walking to another bookstore close by …
really mild and sunny day, time to enjoy the city. A lot of people in
here (surprise). Very small store with strange collection of books
but pretty interesting for the most part. Subway and a bit more
walking close to Battery park – J. was looking for something at one
market but did not find it there. We found nice park area close to
the tip of the island, nice views of New Jersey, Immigration museum
and even the statue. Hudson river and so many blooming flowers.
Subway up and over to Astoria for Czech (late) lunch. The waitress
from Slovakia, it was fine food but unfortunately nothing great (that
might be life). Bus home and time to relax.
FRIDAY: J.
worked (better day). School and monkey business. Relatively pleasant
day. The High Line Park (close to Penn Station) – stretching
between 14th and 30th street on elevated train
track. It is really cool park except all the people, it was really
crowded. http://www.thehighline.org/about/maps
SATURDAY: We
picked up the car from the garage and hit the road at 8.19. Trying to
avoid toll bridges, we took Queensboro Bridge (the only bridge
without toll from Manhattan). Bunch of traffic (felt like a lot for
Saturday morning). The drive was fine, nothing spectacular to see.
Very visible change from “real” city of Manhattan and parts of
Brooklyn to “suburban” city of the rest (less public transport,
strip malls etc.). Rockaway and Long beaches. We stopped by Breezy
Point Park – walked along the beach, saw New Jersey, a lot of mess,
many shells, and enjoyed the breeze and ocean. Most of the streets
were closed by gates and guard – strange. There were really nice
parts but overall it was a bit strange and not beautiful,
unfortunately. Driving along the “beach”, many properties, subway
line, boardwalk, oh so many cars parked there. Oyster Bay town –
bay park (nice, boats), the town kind of strange. Planting Fields
State Historic Park. http://www.plantingfields.org/
The mansion (we did not tour) and really nice grounds (greenhouses,
flower beds etc.). Very pleasant. Old Westbury Gardens.
http://oldwestburygardens.org/
Very similar set up, the mansion that we toured (interesting),
grounds and wedding going on there. Tired. Home. Drive was fine,
there was some horrible traffic in opposite direction. Toll bridge:
7.50 dollars each way. What the hell …
SUNDAY: J.
worked. Nothing special.
