Tens of Thousands of Tulips

I went to the Conservatory Garden in Central Park today...


It looks like a fairyland.

Credit: www.centralparknyc.org

I actually believe it is one.

Credit: www.centralparknyc.org

It is probably the best known secret spot in New York City.

Credit: newyorksightseeingtours.wordpress.com

I sat on a quiet bench, book in hand...

...smelling the sweet scent, listening to the birds chirp.
The Ultimate Relaxation.


Just take a walk through its romantic gardens,



so precisely trimmed,

and cared for to the tiniest detail.

Six acres of flowers...

each one more beautiful than the next.

Stroll through the exquisite allées...

of spring-blooming pink and white crabapple trees.

Turn a corner and there you see,



tens of thousands of tulips,

and even more tulips.

When you walk past the Vanderbilt Gate...

credit: www.centralparknyc.org

...you enter into a whole new world.


Check out The Conservatory Garden for location and hours.

"Seasons on the Terrace"

I posted a few weeks ago about how much I absolutely love the changing seasons in New York.

I've been meaning to post this video for a long time - all about the changing seasons in Central Park. It is incredibly beautiful and very well done. What a treasure we have in New York! I really should go more often.

Enjoy!


P.S. I so badly want to go ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park this winter! Who wants to come with me?

Beautiful Fall Foliage

Fall has finally arrived! The leaves are changing colors and falling off the trees, getting ready for the cold winter months ahead.

I absolutely love experiencing the changing seasons here in New York - there is a certain charm about the first leaves off the trees, the first snow storm, the first daffodils peeking out of the ground, and the first day of pure, warm sunshine and a bright blue sky.

I took a walk through Central Park this past Friday, and I got to experience the majestic colors that are out in full force. Allow me to share some of my experiences with you:

I absolutely love the contrast of a huge tree against a pale blue sky with a beautiful building peeking through the branches.

 I saw this on my walk over to Central Park. I just love how the purple leaves hang off the iron bars and cast beautiful shadows on the grey building.

I see this tree every year and always find it so charming sitting there all alone, so skinny and seemingly forlorn, yet covered in leaves of such a fantastic pale yellow color.

As I walked towards the Bridal Path where I took my walk, I noticed some beautiful colors by the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir...

The water was such an enchanting bright blue that day. And across the reservoir was a cluster of trees in various majestic hues.

Another view of the reservoir...

Along the Bridal Path - These carefully manicured lawns with trees seem to be spray painted just the right color to bring out even the smallest detail.

 Sadly, because of the early snow storm last weekend, Central Park lost over 1000 trees.

 Another tree contrasted against the sky and a building peeking through its branches (now can you see that I love this type of image?)

This is my favorite picture by far! It's the "other side of the reservoir" that I displayed above. Look at the colors! The beautiful, striking, amazing colors!

How unbelievably amazing it is that we have trees that change colors! It makes life so interesting and exciting. What an incredible world we live in.

And finally...

Credit: www.centralparknyc.org

If you can get out to see this in real life, please do! If you have any pictures to share, please send them in and I'll be glad to post them.

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Here are some stunning images sent in by a friend of her backyard. Thanks!!!!

A Relaxing Evening in Central Park

I live in an apartment building, which means that I don't have a backyard. But the truth is, I really do have a backyard, and it's much bigger than the backyards of my friends who live in suburbia.

Yes, I'm talking about the beautiful Central Park!

A few nights ago, I decided to venture out to my backyard and have a little picnic dinner. I packed up some food, a drink, napkins and eating utensils, and I was on my way.

My favorite place to make a picnic is at the Ross Pinetum - a quiet little area near the Great Lawn with a cute playground and lovely picnic tables nestled beneath magnificent pine trees. 

The Pinetum is home to over 425 Pine trees representing 27 species, creating a miniature Pine forest!

credit: Flickr user WallyG 

There are parts of Central Park where you still feel like you're in the city even though you're surrounded by trees and grass. But, there are other parts of Central Park where you feel completely lost in an oasis of greenery and can't imagine how a city exists a few hundred feet away. The Pinetum gives me that feeling; it  is incredibly peaceful, relaxing and beautiful.

Interestingly, a few steps away from the quiet Pinetum is the Great Lawn, the center of activity and excitement in Central Park! It is so easy to go from quiet oasis to noisy activity...

On this rolling 55 acres of beautifully manicured grass, there are a number of baseball diamonds, where on any given night you can watch an exciting amateur baseball game. Families bring their blankets and make picnics by the trees, and Frisbee tournaments are all the craze, as well! 

The Great Lawn was originally the Croton Reservoir, constructed in 1842, but was drained in 1931 when a water tunnel was built making it obsolete. 

I love being out with so many other New Yorkers, enjoying the warm summer evening in Central Park. We all share the park - it is one giant backyard. There are thousands of New Yorkers in one beautiful place - walking dogs, enjoying the scenery, listening to music, taking a hike... and just escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.

Central Park is one of the most wonderful places in NYC. Please comment!  And let me know if you would like me to mention any area in Central Park that you visited and fell in love with.

Awesome Fountains!

As many of you know, I am slightly obsessed with fountains.

And NYC is filled with them! There are fountains in front of buildings, on sidewalks, by memorials... and many other places you would least expect!

I guess it's the flow of water that makes me love fountains so much. It's such a peaceful feeling to sit by soothing water in the middle of a bustling intersection.  I often sit by my favorite fountain (#4) to read or write in my journal, or just observe the cacophony of the city around me.

Check out some of my favorite fountains (in no particular order):

Columbus Circle:

Credit: theweblicist.com

Located at Columbus Circle (59th St. and Broadway), this fountain is best experienced sitting at the base of the Christopher Columbus monument, and watching the water spurting from the fountain in a line-like appearance. You become entirely unaware of the traffic circling around you!

Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street

Credit: Flickr user Viridia

This amazing fountain greets you as you emerge from the Lexington Avenue and 53rd street subway station. Or perhaps I should call it a Waterfall. I love how it just cascades over the side, from street level down to the Subway level.

Central Park - Bethesda Fountain

Credit: NewYorkDailyPhoto.blogspot.com

Bethesda Fountain, located just passed the East 72nd Street entrance to the park, is one of the largest and most photographed fountains in the world. It is a huge tourist attraction and a popular filming location, so you will always find something interesting going on over here!

My Fountain

credit: nysonglines.com

I call this fountain "My Fountain" because it is the most wonderful fountain in all of New York City (in my humble opinion), and I also don't know its name. The beauty of this fountain is in its simplicity. The few spurts of water that sprout from the center of the large, rectangular surface, and the water that gently glides over the top, creating a clear, glass-like appearance. I love sitting by this fountain at night, watching the water and feeling so tiny surrounded by the enormous buildings towering above me. The fountain is located at 6th Ave and 50th St., across from the Radio City Music Hall.

To be continued... there's more to come!