Don's PhotoJaunt 2003
New York City

My brother joined me in New York City, where his son lives. The three of us, plus my nephew's friend, had dinner the three evenings we were there; we ate at really good places whose names I don't remember. During the days, my brother, Jess, and I took in a few of the sights.

Times Square has really changed since I was last there in 1953. Then it was kind of a seedy place. Now it sparkles. I was amazed at the number of people talking into cell phones, although you can't see that in this photo. Seemed like everyone was gabbing away as they hurried to wherever they were going.

We went by Ground Zero, which is now a construction site with a grouchy security guard.

I wanted to get nearer the window in this covered walkway so I could take a photo. I guess I crossed some kind of line, because the security guard very rudely told me to get back.

Everyone calls it Empire State Building; actually it should be pronounced Empire State Building -- New York being the Empire State. The ESB didn't look so tall from this spot.

But it's pretty high up there.

We went up at night. I had hoped to get some really good shots, but there was no place to rest the camera, so they are all distorted.

It would be impossible to fall off, but to me it felt like I could, and with my vertigo I couldn't stand it outside, so I went in the gift shop and tried to shoot through the windows.

Not too successful photographically speaking, but it was still interesting up there. The night was clear, and you could see a long way. The World Series was on, and the Yankees were playing at Yankee Stadium. Many landmark buildings could be seen clearly, but they don't show up in my photos. Darn.

One night we went to a play, "Avenue Q," which was interesting for the use of hand puppets, but the theme was respect for all, including those who are different, something I already knew.

We passed Lincoln Center several times to and from the hotel, but didn't go inside.

We more-or-less accidentally arrived at Riverside Church, the largest church in the world, or so they used to say. When I was a kid, my father listened to their Sunday Service on the radio. Their minister then was Harry Emerson Fosdick, who I always confused with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Fearless Fosdick, Al Capp's detective in Li'l Abner. The church is beautiful.

This church was built by John D. Rockefeller. It's mission has changed pretty much over the years; they now minister to the poor and downtrodden, although I think they still attract the rich and well-born.

John, my nephew, Jess, my brother, and I enjoy a delicious meal at a fine restaurant. I think this restaurant is in Queens.

John's friend, a producer of documentary movies and a New Yorker, and John.

It was in the subway station near here that I almost stepped on a baby. Ordinarily the platform is at approximately the same level as the floor of the train, but at this station they were doing some remodeling, and the platform was a large step below the train. Just as I stepped off the train, a woman pushed her baby stroller right under my foot. Fortunately I was able to lift my foot in time, so no harm done, but it kind of shook me up.

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PhotoJaunt 2003 Intro | Beacon Hill Area of Boston | Boston Common | Unitarian Universalist Association | Massachusetts State House | Adams Historic Park | Boston Temple | John F. Kennedy National Historic Site | John F. Kennedy Library and Museum | Acadia National Park | Maine State Capitol | New England in the Fall | Town and Country Inn | Vermont State House | Chester Alan Arthur Birthplace | President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site | Franklin Pierce Homes and Gravesite | New Hampshire State House | Rhode Island State Capitol | New York State Capitol | Hyde Park | William J. Clinton Home | New York City | The Met | Grant's Tomb | George Washington Inauguration Site | Unitarian Church of All Souls | Theodore Roosevelt birthplace | Sagamore Hill | Woodrow Wilson Homes | Grover Cleveland Home | Amish Country | James Buchanan Sites | Eisenhower Home | Gettysburg | Lincoln Highway | Washington DC Temple | Mary Washington Home | Washington Birthplace | Ferry Farm | Mount Vernon | Appomattox Court House | James Madison Home | Highland, James Monroe's Home | Monticello | Poplar Forest | FDR's Little White House in Georgia | Jacksonville | Back to Don's Web Site Home Page |

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