City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.


I decided to return a book to the library this afternoon, and decided to walk across Central Park to the east side library location and take a crosstown bus back home.


It was a slightly overcast day, and mild enough that gloves and hat were not required as I walked along the edge of the lake, noticing which flowers had bloomed since my last walk.

There were lots and lots of snowdrops still in bloom, but the daffs had also joined the party.  In this particular part of the Park, you'll also see lots of hellebores around this time of the year.  (It's no longer February, so it seems less startling to see all these flowers.)

Lots of ducks were swimming around the Lake, and honking loudly, hoping that someone would toss them some bread crumbs.  


I took a little detour off the main pathway to get closer to this beautifully decorative cast iron pavilion.

It is my understanding that over the years, many folks have selected this place for their wedding ceremonies.  It is a very romantic setting.

Today quite a few bicycles were leaning up against the railing, while their riders were sitting on some large rocks adjacent to the pavillion.  One could sit there for a long time, contemplating the city view, the trees and the water.  It is very peaceful here at this time of the year.  Later on, in summertime, it's more crowded, and is often a place where musicians try to earn a bit of money singing old folks tunes or pop songs.  The atmosphere is very different.

I walked through the pavilion, and down the stone steps, to take some photos of this other view.  The sun broke through the clouds.

Isn't this a sweet little building?

Returning to the main path, I proceeded along to the Shakespeare Garden, and took a few photos of gentle signs of spring.

It is still hard to believe that we will be spared more frost and perhaps even snow.

A short time later, I was in the library, doing a bit exploration of the treasures to be found in the stacks.  I selected two vintage books, Stefan Sweig's Twenty-four Hours in the Life of a Woman, and Dorothy Whipple's Someone at a Distance.  When I returned to the Circulation Desk to check out the two books, a library let me know that one of reserve request books was available, and so I added the large Steve Jobs biography to my bag.


It was time to return home to the west side, and what luck...a crosstown bus appeared.  


In my last post I featured some pictures of the new hybrid bendy buses that are being deployed for the curvy Central Park transverse route.  I erred in creating the impression that these hybrids were the first bendy buses we have had in New York.


Not true.  The following photos taken today will try to show you what the non-hybrid, old-fashioned buses look like.  They hold many more passengers and are easier for passengers to navigate.  I am not sure if which bendies are easier for the drivers to navigate.

The next photo was taken from the window at my side, and shows the final uphill curve as Central Park West looms just at the edge of the Park.

Here's another view of that flexible pleating connection.

Once again looking out my window I can spot the front of the bus making a turn onto West 79th Street while my part of the bus is still on Columbus Avenue.

From the next picture you can see that these old buses have one level inside, and no elevated seats.  

And here is a clear view of the turntable that swivels back and forth.  Children love to sit on the seats in this area or even stand there for the thrill of the spin.

I exited from the rear exit, as requested by the electronic announcement, and then quickly clicked this photo of the bus exterior.  That advertisement is worrying.  I believe it refers to some upcoming cable tv movie.

I much prefer the message on the side of the bus stop, don't you?

When I got home, I did some sketching based on some of what I'd seen in the Park, and somehow resisted the temptation for an afternoon nap.  It's now time to prepare supper.


I hope that your Sunday has been as enjoyable as mine.