Some people think the old folks and us guys are nuts fer even going to New  York City, but since I've been there, I have to say that there's a certain sense of adventure required to immerse oneself into the total insanity of that city.

It's an experience you can't imagine without having tried it yourself.

New York City, it is said, has the best of things and the worst of things all wrapped up into one place.  Around every corner is yet another unbelievable sight, sound or smell.

Sights of the dark shadows imposed by the multitude and magnitude of giant buildings, the sounds of the incessant traffic, the blowing of horns thought to improve traffic flow, the smells of hotdogs warming on a vendor's cart, of ethnic foods emanating from the city's many restaurants...it all adds up to an unimaginable excursion into the unknown.

Even seasoned New Yorkers report seeing new and unusual things on a daily basis!

If you once visit there, you will leave with a better understanding of how ants on a candy bar can race around, seemingly each on a specific mission, but without knocking heads in the process.

Sparky's New York Trip, September, 2003, Page 7
by Sparky

September 15, 2003.  The old folks and Sniffy and I went back into New York City.  They bought a couple of more 1 day subway passes and caught the train that took them to the Clark Street Station.

Jim had an aunt that used to live at #1 Clark Street, so they wanted to go and find the place, cuz Jim wanted to see if it was reely a cool place or jest another dump like they have a lot of in Brooklyn.  That's the entrance to the apartment building at right.

Well, it was a very nice neighborhood with lots of well-maintained homes and apartment buildings.  There were lots of tree-lined streets in the area, and it was convenient to the subway, restaurants and stores.  Jim's aunt lived there for years cuz she liked it there, and when she moved in there was some sort of rent-control law in effect, so she paid, I heard, $99.00 per month until she was finally forced to move out in about 1985, when the price would have probably went up to $1,500.00 or more per month.  The apartment was also convenient to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which hangs over the East River and runs for about 6 blocks, offering great views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Photo #1 shows the Clark Street Subway Station, which shares the building with numerous other businesses.

Photo #2 shows #1 Clark Street, where Jim's aunt used to live, while photo #3 shows a view on the other side of the street from her apartment building.

Photo #4 shows the entryway to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

Photo #5 shows the Promenade on a Monday morning.

Photo #6 shows the street level road (where the cars are parked), then above it you can see the southbound lanes of a busy highway, and above that and just below the promenade deck you can see the northbound lanes of the highway, but it is surprisingly quiet.

Photo #7 shows the rules and regulations that help to keep it peaceful and quiet.

Photo #8 shows Sniffy talking to an old, tired pigeon that he wanted to bring home, so maybe the bird would get rested up and be able to take Sniffy on rides around the neighborhood, but Gloria said, "NO" to that prospect.

Sparky's Photo Album of Brooklyn & New York
1. Clark Street Subway Station	2. Jim's aunt used to live here	3. Other nice homes there	4. Promenade entrance
5. Promenade, nice and quiet	6. Promenade view north	7. Rules to keep it quiet	8. Sick pigeon & Sniffy

Queensboro Bridge & Roosevelt Island 

Roosevelt Island is located in the middle of the East River, and is straddled by the Queensboro Bridge, which takes two decks of vehicular traffic between Manhattan at 59th Street and Queens, New York.  The bridge was completed in 1909, and, by the looks of it painting might be in the future, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The old folks kept seeing a reference to a "Tram to Roosevelt Island" on most maps, but there was no written information on anything that we had with us, so they decided to go and check it out in person, jest in case it was something reel cool, which it turned out to be.  It's the best kept seckert in town, as they say.

We took the subway from the Brooklyn Clark Street station to 60th Street and came up right near the Tram, which cost the old folks $6.00 fer both of them to ride both ways.  Me and Sniffy rode fer free cuz we pertended to be stuffed animals.

Photo #9 shows the Tram Car coming into the station, or whatever they call it around here.

Photo #10 is a view of the Queensboro Bridge from inside the Tram Car.

Photos #11 & 12 show 2 views of Roosevelt Island.  Domed structures in #12 are covered tennis courts.

Photo #13 shows some detail of the ironwork on the support tower, including the plaque, which you ken see better by clicking on the photo to make it get reel big.  It's interesting that all the decorative elements are made up of bent angle and flat iron, riveted in place to simulate the popular cast iron work popular back then.

Photo #14 is a view from inside the Tram Car, with the Queensboro Bridge in the background.

Photo #15 is a view looking north from the Tram Car, showing yet more miles of civilization.

Photo #16 shows the Roosevelt Island Bus that will take you all around the island for 25¢ per person, or 10¢ for seniors.  We were surprised to see that Roosevelt Island is practically a city unto itself, with stores, restaurants, shops, apartments, etc.

Sparky's Photo Album of Roosevelt Island
9. Tram to Roosevelt Island	10.  Queensboro Bridge view	11. North end of Roosevelt Island	12. South end of Roosevelt Island
13. Queensboro Bridge detail	14. View from inside tram car	15. Miles of city, looking north	16. Bus on Roosevelt Island

You ken click on the following websites fer more information on any of the things I mentioned above.  New York City has many parks, and they are listed on the parks website.

New York City Parks & Other Information        Roosevelt Island

Queensboro Bridge          More Queensboro Bridge 

Well, all good things have to come to an end, so after all the excitement, we caught the subway back to the Port Authority Bus Station and "Got out of town by sundown," as they say.  Actually it was closer to 4:30, so we could miss the "Rush Hour."

When we got back to Secaucus on the bus, we got off at our regular stop, then walked about 30 feet to the Outback Steakhouse and ate dinner.  Then we walked across the street to our motel.  You jest can't get any more convenient than that!!!

Be sure to go to the next page as we pass through New Jersey and head back to Pennsylvania for more adventures!

Lucille Ball actress, Jamestown
Humphrey Bogart actor, NYC
James Cagney actor, NYC
Tom Cruise actor, Syracuse
George Eastman inventor, Waterville
Henry Louis Gehrig baseball player, NYC
Jackie Gleason comedian, actor, Brooklyn
Bret Harte writer, Albany
Washington Irving author, NYC
Henry James author, NYC
Chico, Groucho, Harpo, Zeppo Marx comedians, NYC
George Pullman inventor, Brocton
Christopher Reeve actor, spokesperson, Manhattan
John D. Rockefeller industrialist, Richford
Norman Rockwell painter, illustrator, NYC
Mickey Rooney actor, Brooklyn
Franklin D. Roosevelt U.S. president, Hyde Park
Theodore Roosevelt U.S. president, NYC
Jonas Salk polio researcher, NYC
Barbara Stanwyck actress, Brooklyn
Barbra Streisand singer, actress, NYC
Mae West actress, Brooklyn
George Westinghouse, Jr. inventor, Central Bridge
Frank W. Woolworth merchant, Rodman

Special Parking Deal

We saw a parking garage in New York City that had a special offer that would let you park your car for only $382.00 per month.  Be sure not to tell them "Sparky sent me," or they'll charge you another $10.00 for being a wise guy.