Brooklyn Daffodil

NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour

The many sounds and sights that surrounded the NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour, while passing through Williamsburg, Brooklyn, made this day a very special one. There were the loud and rhythmical drums which drew me toward Kent Ave. where I met an ongoing flow of cyclists from around the world enjoying the course ahead. The helmets were creative, sporting a lobster, brass horns, sparklers, and many other imaginative objects. They rode as teams and also as individuals, couples, old and young, and were being cheered by people enjoying the spectacle from the sidelines. Brooklyn sure welcomed them with style and I was glad to be there.

Next to the last NYC Snowfall 2013

Some last fun photos of a tough winter with a hopefully picturesque spring.

Street Polo II

While the weather holds up here in NYC, these players are committed to show how the game of street polo can be played in top form. Here are a few more shots of the Lower East Side players.

Street or Urban Polo on the LES

On an overcast Sunday afternoon, while walking on the Lower East Side of NYC, I came upon a very unexpected site—an exciting game of Street Polo. This area of the city never ceases to surprise me. There were  4 players on a side and each player was totally into the sport. After watching it for some time I was surprised to find as a spectator, that so was I. You are  drawn in as you watch this action-paced sport. The opposites, I learned from Aesthetic Realism, like rest & motion, speed & slowness, precision & abandon were dramatically in play. I couldn’t help but admire the skill and agility of the players, both men & women, as they maneuvered their bikes around the court trying to score.

You may not find this version of Polo in the Olympics, but you sure will on the LES. And while this sport is played on bicycles, if you look closely you can imagine that you can see the horses! To see the gallery click here.

Happy New Year!—Sunset on the East River

Here we are on the East River in NYC anticipating a beautiful sunset. And the Sun doesn’t disappoint. I am reminded that it’s the same world that gives us beautiful sunsets and horrific storms. These, I learned from Aesthetic Realism, are dramatic opposites. This area looks different since the storm but a sunset like this keeps it in perspective.

Window to Autumn in the Catskills

This post was written just before hurricane Sandy struck. I want to add my heartfelt gratitude to all the people who are working tirelessly to assist others in being safe and out of harm’s way. While we endured some of the hurricane’s wrath in lower Manhattan, it was nowhere near what many went through and are still up against. My support and good wishes are with you and hope that your situation improves quickly. The area I write about here in the Catskills may have been affected badly, and if so,  I believe it will return to its magnificent glory.

The Catskill Mountains know how to welcome Autumn with style, and this year was no exception. My wife Carol and I were lucky enough to have been in Greene County, Rip Van Winkle country, to have witnessed this great event. Our home base was the Rosehaven Inn in Haines Falls which led us to many historic and wonderful vistas including North-South Lake with views overlooking the Hudson Valley. There were also Tannersville, Prattsville, Kaaterskill Falls, Palenville, Hunter to name a few.

The important American writer, James Fenimore Cooper in his novel “The Pioneers” gave beautiful form to what one sees in this part of NY when he gave these words to Natty Bumpo speaking to his young friend by the water. “There’s a place in them hills that I used to climb to, when I wanted to see the carryings on of the world, that would well pay any man for a burked shin or a torn moccasin….”What do you see when you get there? asked Edwards. “Creation!” said Natty, dropping the end of his rod into the water, and sweeping one hand around him in a circle—“all creation, lad.”

To see photos of this pilgrimage click here.