New York

I knew from the start this was not going to be the trip to see New York. I only spent one day and a half in the city, but I was at a music festival for my one full day; while there’s nothing else in the world I’d rather have been doing, this did mean decisions had to be made. So, in my one morning in New York City I had breakfast with the amazing Clare, and then we went to the Strand.

The Strand was an easy pick. If I’d had a little longer I’d have gone to the main branch of the New York Public Library too; but that, along with everything else I’d like to see and do in New York, will have to wait until next time. After NYC I went Upstate to Rochester, to spend time with Debi, Chris and Eva, some of my oldest blogging friends. The quiet and the lovely trees and the relatively cooler weather were a welcome change after an intense and exhausting week. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to my trip.

One last batch of photos:

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Manhattan from the ferry to Randall Island.


Panorama Music Festival.


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥(I feel that at least one of these posts should include some sort of acknowledgement of the main reason why I visited four states in the space of a week.)




Mandatory tourist shot.




Many thanks to Clare for showing me her favourite view of Union Square. ♥


The Strand! It’s real! And they were not kidding about those 18 miles of books!


I would have spent a whole day here happily.




I resisted the tote bags. I’m still not sure if that’s a good thing.

I was significantly less restrained at the Strand than at Politics & Prose — the above stack may not seem like much, but it looks significantly worse if I tell you I was only in there for an hour and a half and managed to spend $75. Not pictured: the badges and fridge magnets and postcards, as well as a book I got as a gift for someone. Also, Labor of Love was actually bought in Upstate New York. I guess all things considered it could have been a lot worse.










My first stop in Rochester — Barnes & Noble on a rainy afternoon.

Next, when the sun came out, we walked the Songbird trail at Mendon Ponds Park, which as you can see fully deserves its name.


Chipmunk!






Salamander! Hiking with a biologist is the best.


Debi’s cat Dmitri. ♥


...and international superstar Thistle, courtesy of Eva!


Mount Hope Cemetery.




Frederick Douglass’ grave.








... and Susan B. Anthony’s, where the sticker made my day.






Lake Ontario.






Sunset at Debi’s.


...and a meal as darkness fell around us.


This lovely day ended with a visit to Eva’s to meet Moth. ♥