Napping, Lunching, Lounging in the Grass

Some park-goers in Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, which is in Battery Park City between Warren and Chambers Street. I was there last weekend to check out a tour of some sculptures by Tom Otterness, also located in the park.

NAPPING





LOUNGING





LUNCHING





And here is a better idea of the setting—everyone's relaxing in the grass in front of some of the luxury, residential mid & high-rises along River Terrace....

Teardrop Park

In Battery Park City there are several parks within the main park. I had the chance to tour one of them a couple weekends ago, called Teardrop Park. It opened in 2004 and lies on a plot of land with the basic shape of a 'tear drop'. I believe the park also gets its name from a lake named "Teardrop" that is located in the Catskills and empties out into the Hudson River. The tour guide described how when you are in this somewhat small park, you are surrounded by nature and the buildings are like mountains.

Surrounded by some beautiful residential buildings, Teardrop Park is also near Rockefeller Park and is usually visited by kids and families who frequent that park and the residents who live nearby.

This large rock wall  is built out of sedimentary rock

Tunnel connecting the two areas of the park separated by the wall

Play area for children with a sandpit, slide and theater steps

A visit to Battery Park City

After visiting Ground Zero on September 11th, I decided that instead of going home to watch a movie and relax, I would finally stop by Battery Park. I've been meaning to stop by there for a while—I've only been there 3 times in the last 4 years so I took the opportunity to revisit.

I started at Bowling Green (because that's where the subway is) and came across the Flags of Honor and Heroes and then walked down by the water to take in the view of the Statue of Liberty out on Liberty Island. I could also see Ellis Island, Liberty State Park in Jersey City and even the Colgate Clock (I out in Jersey City as well (I always wonder why that thing is there!).

As I walked up the esplanade, along the water heading north toward the North Cove Marina and The World Financial Center, the Statue of Liberty stayed within my view. There wasn't a moment when I wasn't amazed by everything surrounding me. The beautiful Jersey City skyline, the sparking light on the Hudson River, the butterflies in the bushes, the many secluded park spaces and the cool, random sightings along the way, like a guy riding what I believe was a cupcake bicycle.

Passageway by the esplanade


View of the Statue of Liberty



The Jersey City skyline

Remembering September 11th

Last year on September 11th I was visiting family in Florida and I was disappointed I couldn't be in the city to take pictures down by Ground Zero again.

This year I went down in the afternoon after watching some of the ceremonies on TV and despite the many crowds of protesters, I made my way to the old site of the Twin Towers. It wasn't too crowded; it was pleasant and I had the chance to reflect on the events that made history nine years ago on this day.

And I've never been downtown when it wasn't beautiful. Whether it was in the summertime for a visit to South Street Seaport, or in the wintertime for a mini-photo shoot of the holiday tree in front of the Stock Exchange, or when it's almost Fall and Labor Day has passed and it's time to visit the place I once visited as a kid.

Inside the World Financial Center, looking out onto Ground Zero

The Flags of Heroes and Honor in Battery Park

The Sphere sculpture that used to stand between the two Towers

Interesting background about the Sphere on Wikipedia

iTunes can tell you how many times you've listened to a song with the "Top 25 Most Played List." My top played song is "Apologize" by OneRepublic featuring Timberland. While that scares me, I wish my Mac measured how many times I've viewed a photo! The one below might get the most counts. And what's weird is, I don't even really like this photo, I just always look at it :o)


Katie Killary

Leaving BP for FiDi

So I'm at the bottom-most tip of Manhattan and I feel like I'm going to fall off so I pack up my little pink Sony and walk up to the Financial District to fuel up on some lunch.

I'm one of the bravest people I know. So brave, I'll even go into a deserted Chinese restaurant with those huge hideous pictures on the wall, by myself, and eat my usual Sweet & Sour Chicken off of what is probably the dirtiest, germ-infested brown plastic tray there is. Yum yum.

Here's a lovely shot from the place I went to down on Duane Street : )

Next stop, BP

No.. not the gas station on Houston.

I know I've been moving pretty slow though the city lately, but I can't help it - it takes a while to get all the way down to Battery Park!