Washington, DC

Last weekend I went to the Washington, DC area for a quick visit. I skipped all the monuments and explored some other parts of the city. The three highlights were the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River in Alexandria, Georgetown and the Old Stone House, and Rock Creek Park.

Since this trip was in the height of the fall foliage, everything was spectacularly beautiful. On the Mount Vernon Trail I saw breathtaking views of trees with red and orange leaves lining the Potomac River. I happened to be there just in time to watch the sky shift through various shades of pastel blues, pinks and purples as the sun set and the dark hues of night enveloped the scenery. Without a doubt this was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

During this trip I visited Georgetown for the first time as well. The shops, the old buildings and leaf-covered sidewalks gave the town a nice quaint feel. People strolled down the streets with their kids and their dogs and I stopped to play with every puppy I saw. There was an old building made of stone on the main road that looked rather out of place among so many relatively new buildings. It turns out, this was the historic Old Stone Building and, if memory serves, is the oldest standing building in Washington, DC. It even survived the Revolution. With its low ceilings, small rooms and replicas of the original furniture I was able to get a sense of how life was back in the time of the founding fathers. Little wooden plaques hung from the walls to teach about those distant days and remind visitors of our history.

On my last day in DC I went to the Rock Creek Park. Among other things, this park is a common location for scenes from the show NCIS. The park seemed massive and I only saw a small part of it, but what I did see was incredible. This is my first real fall so I was completely mesmerized by the all the colors. The ground was covered with fallen leaves, creating a carpet of brown, yellow, orange and red as far as the eye could see. Somehow the trees still held on to their charming colors. Beyond a stone wall and an old wooden gate I found a dirt path winding through the woods. Like a little kid, I ran and skipped my way down the path stopping only to take a few pictures.

This spur of the moment trip was a wonderful way to explore some new places. Washington, DC is officially on my list of places to visit in the fall as well as my list of recommendations for travelers. There is a lot to see, a lot to do, and a lot to learn from this historic city. In the right season, it is also one of the most beautiful places I can think of.

Central Park, Belvedere Castle

This post is a little overdue, but sometimes life obligations (like work and school) get in the way of hobbies like blogging. A few weeks ago I took a trip to Central Park. It wasn't one of my most glamorous adventures, but I always enjoy visiting my city's biggest park. There's always something new to see and experience.

During this visit I finally made it to the Belvedere Castle. The castle is a bit of an anachronism right in the center of New York City. The architecture alone is incredible to behold. From a distance you can see the Belvedere Castle perched beside the lake and take in its majesty. From next to its walls you can appreciate the intricacy of the castle's stonework and the beauty of every angle. With its Gothic influence, I couldn't help but feel drawn into history. I wondered about life in a time when castles like this served a purpose beyond entertainment. What was it like to hide behind stone walls during an attack of cannon fire? How did it feel to enter such a place as a guest of its residents? My mind continued to wander as I snapped photos like the tourist I am.

I ended my trip to Central Park with a visit to the famous Bow Bridge. The ducks fished for their dinners and tourists paddled their canoes. I watched the canoes slowly drift by and listened as their occupants laughed and enjoyed the evening. I even had the good fortune to see a gondola pass by, its passengers a newly wed couple and its gondolier serenading them with romantic Italian songs.

Central Park can be one of the most serene places in this bustling city. After just a few minutes I can find myself lost in thought as I try to navigate the maze of sidewalks and pathways. I usually get lost along the way, but I'm always refreshed after my visit to this sanctuary of nature in one of the biggest cities in the world.

Circle Line Cruise, NYC

The Circle Line Cruise departs from Pier 16, right next to the Brooklyn Bridge. There's a whole menu of tours available but I did the 1-hour Zephyr cruise tour. We first went right under the Brooklyn Bridge where our tour guide gave us a very interesting and entertaining history of its construction. We've all seen pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge and many tourists and residents have walked or biked over it, but the view of the bridge from a boat bellow is quite different. The perspective along with learning its history gave me a new appreciation of the bridge's magnificent structure.

The boat turned back and proceeded down the East River, skirting Downtown Manhattan. Heading up the Hudson River, we caught a glimpse of the new Freedom Tower and passed right in front of the Statue of Liberty. All the while the tour guide narrated Manhattan's history as we passed by its famous landmarks. The image of Battery Park's trees and walkways contrasting with its backdrop of Manhattan skyscrapers is enough to inspire the creative instinct in any artist.

The Circle Line Cruise was an excellent way to spend an hour and well worth the $23. There was no shortage of breathtaking views and we learned more about the history of New York City's most famous borough than I've learned in all my years in school. This is definitely on my list of must-do attractions for NYC visitors.

Mount Vernon

One of my many adventures this summer was a trip to Virginia. I'm finally at an age where I can appreciate the historical value of places like Mount Vernon, so even though this was technically my second trip to George Washington's home, it's the first one I remember well.

Unfortunately the house was under construction at the time of my trip so I couldn't take any good pictures of the house. The good news was that we learned an interesting little tidbit because of it. They were adding a paint/sand mixture to the outside of the building, just as Washington (rather, his slaves) did when he lived there. The walls are made of wood, but the sand mixed with the paint gives the impression of cement walls. I'm always amazed at how ingenuitive some people are.

As we waited in line to take the tour we admired the volunteers in their costumes from the 18th century. A women who looked like she could have been Martha Washington herself brought us though the house and gave us the history of the rooms. It was quite amazing to think that I was standing in the house where George Washington lived. We saw his bedroom, his study, his kids' rooms and the dining room. In separate buildings were the cooking areas, the storage rooms, and areas where the servants worked to keep the estate running.

Taking the tour really helped put things in perspective and added a lot of value to the things we saw. The many other buildings on the estate, such as the slaves' quarters, had information posted to explain how the rooms and their contents were used and what a typical day would be like for the residents. If you're ever in the DC/Virginia area, Mount Vernon is a definitely a must-see destination. If you have some extra time, check out the museum which is also on the estate. It has great information about not only George Washington, but also about the other Founding Fathers, the Revolution, the Freemasons, and many other worthwhile topics.

Central Park Zoo

My summer has been jam packed with school, work, traveling, and exploring NYC, which unfortunately has left me with little spare time for blogging. Time to remedy that.

Back in July I had my first opportunity to visit the Central Park Zoo. It was a little confusing to get there, but I eventually found it (after being guilted into giving money to a homeless guy who gave me directions). The zoo is relatively small, which is actually quite nice since it's much more manageable and you can see all of the animals. June seems like the perfect time to go since all the fresh flowers were in full bloom.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of exotic animals the little zoo has. I expected monkey, iguanas, snakes, maybe even a leopard, but the Central Park Zoo had a Red Panda (which looks a little like a huge fox), a pair of seals that gave a nice vocal presentation for the visitors, complete with an impromptu swimming display, and there was even a polar bear. There was an owl, penguins, and a little fly that decided to be my friend.

You can leisurely walk the entire zoo and take all the pictures you want in just a couple hours. You can end your zoo visit with a day in Central Park, maybe even a bicycle tour, and you're guaranteed one of those days of that you can look back on and smile.

Yankee Game

"Larger than life" is the best way I can think of to explain how my first Yankee game felt. We took the express subway up to the Bronx, which I must say was a little frightening for me given the Bronx reputation. I wasn't even sure what stop I needed, but I figured we could follow all the people in Yankee shirts and we'd be safe. I was right. There was a swarm of Yankee-clad fans on the train with us, and they all got off at the stopped entitled "Yankee Stadium."  I really should have been able to figure that out on my own.

We got off the train and when I looked around I was a little intimidated by the slightly sketchy neighborhood. I had no idea how far the stadium was from the stop, but again figured I could rely on the trusty fans (strangers, of course. Why wouldn't I follow strangers to the Bronx and then rely on them to get me to the game?). Then I turned a little to the left and saw the tremendous stadium with "Yankee Stadium" written in what must have been 30-foot tall letters. Again, I should have been able to find that on my own. I'd been to several professional and college sports games, but this stadium far surpassed any stadium I'd ever seen. It was monstrously huge and I tried to picture the number people it would take to fill all the seats.

The line to get in went quickly, and from there we had to figure out what to do next. Take the stairs up? Down? Go left? Right? Take the ramp? The elevator? So many options. We decided to deal with options later and buy food right away. I bought a small Mountain Dew that was probably about a liter and half. Between the two of us we ended up spending about $40 on a ridiculously large bucket of popcorn (which was also advertised as a small), a turkey leg that was literally larger than the length of my forearm, and a plate of garlic cheese fries. I would say everything was wonderful...except the fries. I couldn't even bring myself to try them.

When the game finally started, there was so much energy that it was impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. It was electric, contagious even and I was soon on my feet cheering the hits and cursing the errors like a life-long fan. Every Yankee hit brought a mini adrenaline rush. Every hit by the opposing team brought a mini heartbreak. By the end of the 9 innings I felt like I'd been on a wild emotional roller coaster. I couldn't imagine how die-hard fans survive a whole season full of roller coasters. I came to the conclusion that it must be bad for their health and decided it would be safer to avoid becoming too attached. Despite my conviction to remain only a casual Yankee fan, when I left the stadium I bought a Yankee shirt...and a ticket to go to a game the following week.

Montauk Point

My trip to Montauk began in Greenport. The two-hour drive consisted of a nice little ferry ride, a drive through Shelter Island, and a quick stop in Sag Harbor. We pulled over by a bridge with an incredible view of the water and the harbor. Right beside the bridge was a quaint park with a windmill that created a peaceful ambiance. Even the crisp, fresh air was welcoming and inviting to the many tourists passing through.

We continued on toward Montauk Point, driving on what seemed like an endless road to nowhere. For a while I wasn't sure if we were even headed in the right direction, but then the towering lighthouse began to poke its way into the horizon and suddenly we weren't lost anymore. I'd never seen a lighthouse before and couldn't believe how huge it was. Built so long ago, it rivals even the grandest skyscrapers in Manhattan. A walk not suited for a sufferer of claustrophobia took us to the top of the lighthouse. The winding stairs were surrounded by sturdy brick walls. Small rectangular windows let the light spill into the tower and light our path up to the top. Once there, we could peek out the top and see the vast landscape stretch out before us. Staring out at the endless ocean, it's impossible not to think about all the travelers, all the wanderers who took to the sea and relied on this lighthouse for direction and safety. Without its reliable light, they'd be lost. With it, they knew their way and could make it home.

The lighthouse's hard lines and concrete build starkly contrast with the soft colors of the leaves swaying so gently in the breeze. The sounds of the ocean, the bluffs in the distance, the seagulls flying overhead, the bright blue sky, and the cheery visitors harmoniously worked with the historic landmark to create a park well worth the time it takes to traverse the South Fork.

ArtExpo

This past Friday I had the good fortune to eavesdrop on a stranger's phone conversation about the ArtExpo. As an art lover, I couldn't resist the urge to ask her for more information about the event. It turned out the Expo was in Manhattan this year, this weekend in fact, and would host artists from all over the world. I couldn't believe my luck! I bought a ticket online and attended the next day.

The Expo was on Pier 94 on the Hudson River. After a train ride, a subway ride, and a few wrong turns, I finally arrived at the Pier - with frozen red hands and ears aching from the walk in the cold wind. The building's warmth enveloped my goosebump-covered body as I passed through the glass doors. The welcome heatwave was the best part of my day, but then I left the lobby and walked into the main hall. I actually had butterflies in my stomach as I scanned the room and saw the number of incredible artists and pieces at the event.

It took me several hours to walk through the maze of booths. I saw artists from all over the world, literally. China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Haiti, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, and Canada are but a few of the countries represented at the ArtExpo. Each artist had a unique style, which made for an amazingly interesting tour for people of every taste. I saw some paintings that were so realistic I wasn't quite sure that they weren't photographs. There were impressionist works that could inspire the creativity in even the least-artistic of people. Brilliant colors splashed on canvases, black and white portraits, shadow boxes with an ensemble of artistically-displayed materials, and completely abstract pieces covered every corner of the showroom. Every aisle, every turn, and every booth brought a new mood and a new experience.

This event turned out to be one of the most successful of my spontaneous adventures. For a while, I wasn't even sure I was on the right side of town. By the end of the day, I had a wonderful time and a great experience looking at the beautiful artwork, talking to the artists, and enjoying the free-spirited atmosphere.

St. Patrick's Day, NYC

There's no place like The Big Apple to spend St. Patrick's Day. This was my first St. Paddy's in the city, and it was everything I expected.

The day started out with a quick stroll down the East River, then an unplanned trip uptown to see the St. Patrick's Day Parade. The river was beautiful, there were hardly any other people around, and they day was perfect for wandering around outside. The parade was crazy, hectic, full of green, full of beer, full of music, and full of smiles. Everybody's happy on St. Patrick's Day, just like everybody's Irish. I made the acquittance of 4 strangers who kindly told me that I was walking in the opposite direction of the parade (I still haven't mastered the city streets). We walked there together, shared stories and laughs, then tunneled through the crowd to find a decent place to stand and watch the parade. The songs of bagpipes and drums carried over the noise of thousands of voices, and with it the spirit of the Irish. Flags held high above marchers could be seen from the back row, igniting some Irish pride even in those with no Irish heritage.

As much as I wanted to stay, obligation called and I had to make my way to class. The laughs didn't end with the parade, however. I passed a guy typing on his phone and his shirt caught my eye. A simple green shamrock with a heading in green letters reading "Winning" marked the front. The clear allusion to Charlie Sheen's recent antics made me laugh out loud. Then I saw the back of the shirt - "Let's get Sheenfaced.". I had no choice, I went back and asked the guy if I could take his picture. I really hope he stumbles upon this blog post some day.

Boston

This post  is a little overdue, but hey, better late than never, right?

My trip to Boston was very spontaneous and undertaken with very little preparation. With only a few days between my idea to go, my decision to go, and my departure date I couldn't find anyone to venture back to continental USA with me, so Boston was a solo adventure. 

The trip began as so many do, with a missed train to Manhattan, begging the guy at the bus terminal (more like street corner) to let me take a later bus since I obviously missed the one I planned on, and an hour wait in line. Yet it all worked out and 5 hours after leaving the terminal I got off the bus at South Station in Boston. The first thing that struck me was the cold. Now, having just survived the infamous New York January I thought I was more than equipped to handle a long weekend in Boston. Unfortunately, I didn't' account for the vicious wind in that little city. But I managed with my inadequate clothing, hopped on the subway and found my way to the apartment of some strangers where I was staying.

First stop - Harvard Square. Filled with bookstores and coffee shops, Harvard Square is a perfect way to end a long day of traveling for a nerd like me. I had dinner at some historical burger joint whose name I can't remember, but with a cash-only policy I ended up dining on cheese fries for dinner and walking home in the rain. At least the fries came out at lightning speed and were delicious. 

Day two - lots of stuff. I started out by walking the Freedom Trail. I didn't walk the entire trail, but I hit the highlights, starting at the Boston Commons and including a tour of the Old State House Museum ($6 for students), Faneuil  Hall, and lunch in the Quincy Marketplace. Since I had planned on that taking up my whole day, I was at a loss for what to do with the remaining half of my day. I found my way to the Theater District, made it just in time to buy a student rush ticket to see the Blue Man Group, killed an hour at Dunkin' Donuts (which are in Boston the way Starbucks is in NYC), and finally saw what I think must be the most entertaining show in the history of  creative shows. The music was fun, the stunts were ridiculously funny, and the dry humor kept the audience in a near-constant state of laughter. The only down side was that I left with banana mush on my jacket that I still can't manage to get off. The day ended with a great plate of pasta and a great glass of Chianti in Boston's Little Italy.

Day three - day three started at Northwestern University where I had an egg and cheese bagel. That wasn't part of the plan, but neither were half the things I ended up doing. My first stop after breakfast was the Museum of Fine Art, specifically their newly-opened Wing of the Americas. There was an incredible amount and variety of art, complete with the history of each piece and how it fit into the times  in which it was created. I walked through all the wings and saw art from every region of the world. After the museum it was back to the Theater District for Shear Madness - an interactive murder mystery/comedy. It didn't come close to the Blue Man Group, but for the half the price it was well worth it. Once again at a loss for what to do next, I asked around in some stores and following advice, I ended up walking along Newbury Street. Lined with upscale stores and old building, the street was certainly an interesting place, but I preferred the adjacent Commonwealth Avenue, which was lined with trees covered in Christmas lights. The site was beautiful as dusk set in. Ready to go home after about 10 hours of walking, I got back on the subway. Of course, even that didn't go according to plan. I heard someone say something about the Prudential Building and thought, why not? So I got off at the Prudential stop and treated myself to desert and wine at the top of the building, which provided a beautiful view of the city.

Each of these places and shows really deserves an entire post of its own, but honestly I'm just not that motivated so this quick summary will have to due. Suffice it to say that Boston is a great city for a weekend trip. There's no lack of things to do, and the city is relatively small. I walked the entire length in one day, so a tourist can easily hit all the highlights, and even some not-so-highlighted places, with just one or two full days. 

Moving to New York

I have been a little negligent of this blog because my past month and half have been consumed with moving to a new state...and a new climate. Adjusting to the NY winter, especially the most sever January on record, has been no easy task. But, I have purchased a variety of coats, gloves, scarves and hats and have made my way around my new environment.

To explain everything I have done and seen since I moved here would take pages and pages, so I'll skip all those details. Suffice to say that New York is exactly what I expected - a high pace city with no end of sights to see and things to do. Everywhere I turn I'm facing something famous. I have accidently found myself staring up at the Empire State Building, walking through Central Park, Bryant Park, Madisson Square Park, Times Square, I've wandered past Madisson Square Garden, looked out the window at the Crysler Building, found myself on 5th Avenue, and that's just the beginning of the things I've seen here.

The winter in this city is beautiful (if you're looking out a window). I've seen fresh, white snow covering the trees and lining the streets. I watched people ice skate at Rockafeller Center and wished I had the cold tolerance to join them. But I've also seen month-old snow, leaving piles of black dust covering the sidewalks. I love to walk through the city, with no particular destination in mind, and take pictures of all the new things around me. Unfortunately, keeping my hand out of a glove long enough to snap a few shots soon becomes painful as my hands turn bright red and numb. I fight through the pain, though, and have a few good pictures as a momento of my stroll.

I continue to be amazed by the architecture, the nature, and the feel of New York. The hour-long commute from my apartment doesn't even bother me, because I know I have a spectacular destination to look forward to.