Voting serendipity: a new bridge

For some reason, the usual place where I vote (even early, which I was determined to do this time because I expect it will be a madhouse on Tuesday) wasn't operational for early voting this time. So I went to a park nearby where the community center was open for democracy's business.

Since it was a gorgeous day, I decided to incorporate my daily walk into the citizen's duty outing. But since I have [somewhat] often walked around the park in question, I decided to head the other way, down Broadway toward downtown, since there seemed to be a nice pathway alongside the city golf course.

And, wouldn't you know it, I happened upon some public art I'd never seen, next to a rather impressive golf course clubhouse that I'd also never seen. On a previous park perambulation, I showed you some lovely tiles decorating bridges over the infant San Antonio River and its channels (you can see them here). So imagine my surprise to see their cousins on a bridge over the channel leading to the golf course. (Unfortunately, I inexplicably neglected to photograph the clubhouse; maybe next election?)

Isn't it cute how the artist incorporated the golf theme? (Click to enlarge and see all the fun details.) While keeping to the same style (although in a different color palette) as the tiles along the more well-traveled bridge (see the link above).

One of the tiles honors the gentleman to whom San Antonio owes eternal thanks for this amazing park, right in the city's heart: George Washington Brackenridge himself...

I love it when little discombobulations in one's normal routine are rewarded with the discovery of new treasures! And I like having such an immediate tangible reward for doing my civic duty.

Wordless Wednesday: any hookah-smoking characters around?

Wordless Wednesday: you know you're in Maine when...

[yes, those are lobster pots]

Winter Wonderland

Well, at least it's a wonderland if you don't have to shovel your driveway or drive on icy streets!

But if you're a tourist who gets driven around by experts, and just gets to enjoy watching Adorable Granddaughters frolic in the snow (and ice)...well, it's simply wonderful!

oldest A.G. is very experienced at getting around

the Texas A.G. was fascinated by the white stuff;
but by the bulky outerwear—not so much

future Winter Olympian trying out the ice

The last time I visited Maine in winter there was plenty of snow (and ice) on the ground, but it was all old. This time, though, I got treated to a couple of snow showers, thereby getting to experience the beauty of the new-fallen stuff on all the trees, roofs, and other surfaces within camera-shot.

Here are some samples to stoke your sense of wonder...

view thru my skylight

interesting that the manhole covers melt the snow, at least for a while

these accessories might come in handy...

We had preview of what awaited on our flight into town:

I'm not snow-struck enough to think I could live up here year-round, but it sure is fun in small doses!

Wordless Wednesday: indeed!

Wordless Wednesday: cue the Gershwin...

Rainy day on the High Line

One of the items on our (unfortunately) short NY attractions list was one of the city's finest achievements—the High Line park.

The photo above is taken from the walkway, at one of the points where you cross over a busy street below. These were some of the most photogenic points on the regrettably short walk we took (you'll remember, from my last post, that it was rainy and rather cold). Here's another street shot:

But of course the most remarkable aspect of the "park" is the walkway itself...

I'm sure it would have been much more crowded on a nicer day...

I'd love to see it in springtime!

As you can see in that last shot, there are stretches where the buildings are right on top of the line; I wonder how noisy those apartments would have been when the train was running! But now they're just, I'm sure, super-fancy addresses.

And of course, in the distance, are even more remarkable buildings. The way views are in almost any direction, from anywhere in this amazing metropolis...

But closer at hand, are some interesting art installations and other objects, like this seemingly ancient arch...

I couldn't find (through an admittedly cursory google search) what it is, but I assume perhaps it was part of the original rail infrastructure?

Our visit to the Big Apple was much too short, but perhaps we'll go back for another visit, and not wait 18 years this time. Here's a farewell shot of the Manhattan skyline from the window of our plane, taxiing for takeoff from EWR...