Central Park

We had been planning on taking a spot on the Hudson River across from Central Park to be able to see someplace I've always wanted to see.  We met another couple at the dinghy dock, a great place to meet the nicest people, who told us about taking the train in from Port Washington up the East River and in Long Island Sound.  That sure sounded a lot better than putting up with the constant traffic of large, fast boats roiling up the water all around us whenever we were on the boat so that is just what we did and had another wonderful day in Manhattan. 
Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a real giant in park design.  I have studied his work and marvel at his genius.  He envisioned the perfect blend of pathways, green spaces, statuary, ponds and beautiful buildings.  Spending several hours in the park was a dream come true for me and David was impressed with the scope and design as well.  We walked from Penn Station to the park and rented bikes for three hours.  That allowed us to tour the entire bike path system and get off to walk some of the paths.  After we turned our bikes in, we went back to walk on some of the paths where bikes are not allowed.  I think you could spend a lifetime touring parts of the park and always seeing something new.  It was a truly magical spot that I'm glad developers have not been allowed to bulldoze.  Believe it or not, that has been the goal of many over the past.

One of the many tunnels in the park.  This one was a work of art both outside
and inside.  The acoustics were so lovely that a girl singing opera pieces was
mesmerizing those walking by.  Buskers rarely sing opera so it was very different. 

One view of Belvedere's Castle

Same view but another level up.  The castle has about 6 levels, each
revealing a different scene of the park and the surrounding city.

One of the porticos in the castle.

The bushes were in great blooming beauty.

David with our rental bikes by another tunnel.

Of course, Central Park has lots of gardens.

The colors and textures were so beautiful.

Happy people in front of the waterfall.

This was a building in Harlem where we left the park to have lunch.  The details
on the building were really eye catching.

This was a square with a street vendor who had the most tasty food at
very reasonable prices.  David had a lifelong dream come true eating
hot dogs from a genuine New York street vendor.  We sat on the curb
like real New Yorkers.

Pedicabs and horse drawn carriages were a popular way to see the park.

These oakleaf hydrangeas had such huge blooms that the branches of the
bush were leaning over.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reservoir. 

The bright lilies lit up so many patches along paths all over the park.

The mall is lined with huge American Elms and is also
literary row.  Statues of famous American authors line both sides.

The mall is also a busy place with lots of stalls selling everything from
pictures to souvenirs.

A building just outside the park but visible from the top level of the castle.

The plaza at the end of the mall.  Fields and the Great Lawn are just
beyond this area.

Fencing like this graced many of the paths in the park.

You can rent radio controlled sailboats at the ponds.

The bike paths were well maintained and inviting.

This tunnel led over to the skating rink/swimming pool.

Signs at turtle pond tell you not to feed them but these guys can't read.

A waterfall we found along a path.

The water was so clear and the sound was so relaxing.