The Walk to Tenafly - Part One

It was early, maybe, but the weather was bright, clear and cool - alright, chilly - as I stepped out of the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal onto Fort Washington Avenue. Today I’m walking to Tenafly. The suburbs are going to be close, and not so “car far” that we can’t make a day’s walk more interesting and enlightening, even.






So, now you know the hours - but I got there at 8:30AM, a little late by my schedule. We shall see what pace I can keep up.

I had originally intended to take the Northwalk (as they call it) but that one was closed; I don’t know why, but no matter. It turned out I wasn’t alone - but I couldn’t get my camera out in time - whoosh! a whole fleet of bicycles passed me by!

I was amazed, actually, to be able to have an unobstructed view off the bridge. There was no high barrier at all, and considering the recent tragedy of the young man who jumped that was especially unnerving. But it didn’t bother anyone else, I guess.

Away in the distance is a group of speeding bicyclists too fast for me to catch for you, but I just had to enjoy the morning on the bridge - and get the pictures when I could. After all -

I could look over the Henry Hudson Parkway and the River toward New Jersey.

Jersey City is the city in the morning mist

I am planning to make this walk a public tour for those with an interest in understanding the growth of New York, and the establishment of its suburbs. After all, I grew up in Tenafly and biked all around when I was a kid there. Never really knew where I was, but, as they say, I never got lost.

People would stop me on the road and ask where route 501 was, or something like that, and I really had no idea! Maybe I knew that that was County Road, but that didn’t matter to me either. I just knew that was a way to go and that you’d find something down “that way.” My friends Scott and Bob would call, and we would all agree that we’d go for a “bike hike” and be off for the afternoon. We’d always be back home at about 5 or six; we never called to tell our Moms where we were, or if we’d be late. We never were.

We never even told them where we were going. We were, well, just going out. And that was that.

It is amazing how we’re all - or at least many or most of us - attached to our cell phones, our GPS, our umbilicals to Central, so to speak. How did we live back then?

So, Saturday I set out to see if I could, at least in part, recover that old spirit.

I reached the Fort Lee side.

I think that’s where the actual Fort was ... I'll have to go there, some time soon.

But first ... !

A Walk Almost Around the Island of Manhattan!

Yes, we started out on Saturday morning, October 23rd at 8:45, right near Gracie Mansion, and took to the river path northward - on the Bobby Wagner Walk. This walk was at the request of Jim Wacht, who was inspired by a recent walk and an article in the New York Times - but he didn't just want to set out on his own - strolling aimlessly!

So, he enlisted my professional and experienced services for something that is more than just a casual walk in the park. He didn't want to lose himself in the wilds of a city he hadn't seen - even though he'd biked around it numerous times.

Jim sent out e-mails alerting his friends to this great event, and urged them to join in the fun. Ultimately, there were 8 and myself - oh, and Cooper the dog! (And I should have taken a picture of that cute thing, because at first I wasn't sure a dog would do the distance, or not be a hindrance, but no problem!)

We first walked up along the East River - and it's a nice walk:

Walking toward High Bridge

But this area didn't always look like this. No way! Check this photo:

The Harlem River, looking south to the Washington and High Bridges circa 1890

Soon, however, on July 3, 1898, in fact, this way was opened as a special drive. No, not the FDR Drive, of course. But, can you imagine this: the city perceived a need by the wealthy for a race course for their personal horses (and some of these individuals had many of them) so tax-payer money - more than a million dollars in the 1890s - was spent to make this playground for them.

The Speedway was a tremendous engineering feat - for the amusement of the "upper class."

But, there was a great formal opening of the Harlem River Speedway. Once we got past the inconveniences of 125th St., 135th St., and were able to get back to the river again, the going was easy. We did remark, however, that it was surprising how un-busy the East River is - at least on Saturday morning. But after the Speedway was opened -

The members of the sporting set flock to the Speedway to see the races! Fort George Hill is in the background. (From an undated postcard - colorized)

Well, by the time we had walked all the way up - I realized we had missed what would have been the real river traffic: the crews, rowing on the river! I had visited the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse earlier in the week, and a young lady there told me that indeed this Saturday would be the busiest day of the week. But, maybe she meant that the rowers are early risers! We missed them. But, look at the gates. Quite an effect. And, of all people, the boathouse was designed by no other than Robert A. M. Stern Architects. Stern himself, while now the Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, was previously Professor of Architecture and Director of the Historic Preservation Program at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University. (Is it significant that this isn't Columbia's boathouse, but one that's shared by Manhattan College, NYU, Fordham, and the New York RowingAssociation? Probably not.) But it's so refreshing to see such developments happening up around Dyckman Street - where hardly anyone ever ventures.

Look at this marvelous, floating boathouse:

The Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse

So, perhaps the "high-flyers" of the 21st Century aren't equestrians, and are boaters instead. After all, it's much better for one's health - and is much cheaper than keeping horses!

Right next to the boathouse are we discovered Swindlers Cove - and another fruit, so to speak, of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), founded by Bette Midler. We found a glorious little park:

Hmm. What have we here? Quite a lot, actually!

It is really a small park, but it does do wonders to relax and reinvigorate a walker on a trek.

- and there is a restroom there too, as well as many very comfortable places to rest and ponder where to go next.

And so we rested!

We are almost ready to really rest: to have lunch. But we must do what we have to do - tweet:

We actually had followers in cyberspace - cheering us on in our marathon quest to circumambulate the island! So, Meryl, Jim's wife and a travel writer herself, kept all apprised on our discoveries and progress toward our ultimate goal.

We had just come down the hill (in the background) from the railroad tracks, after lunch at the Indian Road Cafe, and were marveling at the Little Red Lighthouse.

Next Stop: Watch for my next installment!

October 9, 2010 - On John Lennon's Birthday

Rowboats on the lake - hundreds on the Bethesda Terrace; but I'm ... in the woods?

Yes, everybody in New York was out this past weekend - and more than that was in the Central Park. Where does everyone come from? It seems, however, that there are still places ....

... where a little privacy can be found. Not that I was looking to butt in; I walked on and away.

Yet, it was lovely to see so many out, in the park, and on the water - in the largest city in North America.

And, on John Lennon's birthday: "Imagine all the people living life in peace."

That evening, at Summer Stage in Rumsey Field, the park screened a new documentary "LennonNYC" which all of us can see on PBS on November 22. We can then see how the city energized him, we're told - maybe as we all can be too?

It's autumn! Go out - walk - see what is new!

And I did that day myself - just by walking around the corner of E. 71st St., from Park Avenue, onto Madison as I was heading to the park ... but wow! What did I see?

It's the new Ralph Lauren store for Home and Women - where his Polo store was, remember? It officially opens this Friday, October 15, I believe. Might be worth a visit!

I have drawn a strong contrasting image, but this is New York, and I think it's all about beauty and energy - and don't forget, when people really live together, really are together .... Well, imagine ....!

It's Time to Take a Walk ...

I am the one here to tall you about walking, and why it's important to go out there among the people of the city -0 your city, any city or town - and walk miles if you have to so that you can feel the changes in your city.

So, I've been so busy lately (and only some of that business was real work - but we'll talk about that another time) that I haven't just taken a direction and followed it. Today - I did.

I was down at the World Trade Center site, in fact - and don't make a mistake: they're building alright. Seven days a week. No delays now. The Memorial will be ready by next September 11, and One World Trade Center will be topped out in 2013.

I was downtown to see an insurance agent, so I walked down to 45 Broadway - but I went a different route.

Yes, as you all know, we have a lot of tourists in town. And many of them are Asian. Here was one taking a picture of the construction at the Trade Center Site - just before he and his companions returned to their coach:

I'm happy so many are taking part even in that way in our rebuilding - it makes for a more exciting celebration when it's all finished, I'm sure.

And after my appointment I took a walk up to the West Village through Tribeca.

But, and I'm sure you'll recognize this phenomenon: I discovered something so amazing I forgot to take a picture of it! What was that?

Well, I learned where the Mysterious Bookshop went after it left West 56th Street 5 years ago (or was it longer? Even the nice fellow at the register couldn't remember!). It is at 58 Warren Street now. Check it out!

Yes, yes, I bought another book. But - not just any book! No, a special book: the second of the mystery books that (dum de dum dum) Gypsy Rose Lee wrote: "Mother Finds a Body" - in hardcover - with a dustjacket! Such a deal!

And I bet there's a few of you out there who don't know who Gypsy Rose Lee was (shame on you), and even more who don't know how she relates not only to New York City but to the even greater and wider world of letters of the world!

Stay tuned! Your guide will tell all!

Another Public Tour

The Street Teacher led a very convivial group on Labor Day from Joe, the Art of Coffee at 141 Waverly Place, by Gay Street, on a wonderful day, all the way down 9th Street, ending at the Life Cafe for brunch. So ... what's next?

A Columbus Day Walk

Well, a reprise of the Ninth Street Walk would be fun - we knew there was a lot to explore, but when we were just beginning we realized how full this street really is. There's more!

We have discovered many interesting characters have lived and are living still on this wonderful street - so The Street Teacher will lead another walk down Ninth Street on Sunday, October 10, meeting again at Joe the Art of Coffee, at 10:00am - yes, another Holiday: it's Columbus Day Weekend. (Although it's a Federal Holiday on October 11, it wouldn't be fair to many to hold the tour Monday, so the tour will go on Sunday.)

After all, there are some people I must tell you about!

So, if you missed the Labor Day Walk, or want to join up for the Columbus Day Walk - please contact The Street Teacher at to register. The cost is $25 per person.

Note: we will have listening devices for your convenience! No shouting down the street!


PLEASE NOTE:
It's a Sunday, so mass transit may be on a less frequent (or, as in the case of the cross-town M8 bus, non-existent) basis. You might benefit from the MTA Trip planner.

If you feel you are going to be late, please call or text 917-921-9273; we only wait until 5 minutes past the hour.

And, if the group be amenable and you're hungry - we may stop for brunch at the end! Let The Street Teacher know! (Oh, brunch is at individual expense.)

See you there and then!

Summer Streets - First Saturday

I hope you New Yorkers are aware that, for the third year in a row, three Saturday mornings in August shall known as Summer Streets, and be free of automobiles etc. on Park Avenue, Fourth Avenue (and how many of you know the history - or the length - of 4th Avenue!?), Lafayette Street, and Center Street all the way to City Hall from 7:00am to 1:00pm on August 7, 14, and 21. Yes, indeed! Only walkers, runners, skaters and bikers can navigate those streets on those mornings - and can cruise all the way across the Brooklyn Bridge to the fourth largest city in the United States, Brooklyn!

The Brooklyn Bridge, from the Brooklyn Bridge Park in D.U.M.B.O.

Well, of course, it's not really a city - but the third largest city is Chicago, with 2,851,268 and then the "fourth," Houston, has only 2,257,926 so it's reasonable that Brooklyn with 2,465,326 in the 2000 census (and 2,567,098 was the 2009 estimate) can be considered the fourth.

And while we're on the subject, all five boroughs of New York include 8,008,278 in the 2000 census (and 8,391,881 in the 2009 estimate). Los Angeles, by the way, with 3,831,868 is the second largest city (although I think it holds a unique position as the largest incorporated suburb!).

So, how is Brooklyn today? Wonderful! And with matchless views of Manhattan - and this year, from the Brooklyn Bridge Park, I enjoyed a lovely restful view of my home borough:

Manhattan as seen from D.U.M.B.O. under the Manhattan Bridge

I have run over another bridge recently, however, and not on a car free day either.

Last week, in my adventures to extend my running and touring range, I ran all the way down along the East River as far as I could - which was only E. 63rd Street (because of some construction on the ramp at 60th Street) - and down 1st Avenue, then through Tompkins Square Park to Avenue B. Then across Houston to Clinton Street - and past the Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant (but I didn't stop!) to Delancy Street and the Williamsburg Bridge.

The entrance for bicycles and pedestrians on the Williamsburg Bridge

What you can't tell yet, as you start over the bridge, is that very soon the bicycles and pedestrians split from each other completely! The pedestrians will have the south or downriver lanes all to themselves while the bicycles will have the north or upriver sides to themselves.

(The M Subway train goes over this bridge. In fact, the M has in these down economic times gone through a morphing when the V train was eliminated in June. We Manhattan riders had to learn the V recently - but to no purpose because the V is dead and the M has taken over some of its route. Check out an interesting blog, Queens Crap, for the, ah, down and dirty! Oh, and when - not if - the 2nd Avenue Subway finishes its first stage - from 125th Street to 59th Street - the Q will assume that new extension. That is, until the - are you ready? - T train takes over the line all the way to ... hmm ... ah, yes: Hanover Square!)

Well, once over the bridge - saying hello to everyone I passed on the way, and getting nice smiles from everyone except a tall bearded man in long black coat and wide-rimmed black hat who walked past me staring straight ahead ... hmm ... I was in Williamsburg!

I ran up Bedford Street to N. 7th Street - and look at this:

Yes, indeed! Brooklynites, at least those in Williamsburg, ride their bikes to work. Here I suspect they're locked up so that their riders can take the L train to work. You'd think there'd be something just a little more official?

But I wanted to run to the shore line, so I ran up to N. 8th Street, turned left and ran 3 blocks to the East River State Park on Kent Avenue. Wow! What they're doing with the place!

Yes, that's Manhattan in the distance! And no sound of trains from any bridge - you're in Williamsburg!

The East River State Park in Williamsburg is only 7 acres, recovered from a former railroad yard and shipping station; there are a few areas still in concrete, but they're used as platforms for the "pool parties" that used to be held in McCarren Park - until their pool came back into action as a pool.

Yes, that means that on Sundays during the summer, and various other times no doubt, there are bands playing for free - Free Williamsburg! (I dare you to hum along! And notice the fans: in my day, said the old codger, the long hairs weren't only the ones on stage! I swear all the fans work on Wall Street .... Ah, where are the hippies of yesteryear ...!)

But, just look down toward the southern end of the Park and you'll see -

- yes, these are new condominiums built within the last three years. They're not all occupied, yet, but, well, Brooklyn is beginning to look an awful lot like ..... (to be continued.)

Next Public Tour: September 6 - Labor Day!

Yes, I know - I haven't had a public tour since Memorial Day and my E. 78th Street Walk. But that was a good time, and I had a nice turnout - and I believe we had a good time, too. Some of us even closed out the walk with a nice lunch at Serafina's on Madison and E. 79th Street. Good food!

So, you ask: what's next? Let's go downtown, this time ... to Ninth Street!

Once again, I'm not walking you down a "main" street, like W. 8th Street and St. Marks Place. No, that's not my style! Rather, let's explore a street just north of it ... and examine more closely the buildings that grace the sidewalks, and talk about some of those who lived there and made them their home. And let's just marvel at the grace notes that seem to be all over at times - that do so much to make New York a wonderful place to live in and explore. For, after all, around every corner, wonders may arise -

Oh, no I can't give away too much! But, you should remember that the Village wasn't always like what it is today ... but what did it look like? Remember the Jefferson Market Courthouse - and jail?

The next year - the market was gone! What happened to the jail? We shall see - we shall see all!

And that's only just after the beginning of our walk ... which shall begin at Joe, at the corner of Waverly Place and Gay Street, at 10am on Monday, September 6 - Labor Day! That's right, this is a walk for those of you intrepid enough to stay in the city for - for the U.S. Tennis Open? For the peace and quiet of a late summer day in the city without crowds? Who knows! But, you'll walk with me and see and hear from very interesting places and things ... and end up in a neighborhood considered on of the BEST in North America!

And perhaps you'll enjoy a cool Root Beer near one of the great community gardens of the East Village -
It's all good. Please let The Street Teacher know as soon as you can if you'd like to join him along Ninth Street on Labor Day! The cost will be $25 per person, and we'll be meeting at 10:00am on Monday, September 6, at Joe, at 141 Waverly Place, at the corner of Waverly and Gay Street. Please send an e-mail to Bill@TheStreetTeacher.com to register.

What? You don't know Joe? See their video!

A Summer Night

I'm going to give you more frequent doses of The Street Teacher on his blog - I promise!

So, last evening, and one can take advantage of this on other Thursday evenings this summer, many of us went out to Liberty Island for a dinner of lobster with corn on the cob - and a leisurely walk around the statue. A pleasant place - and quiet too - when you have the opportunity to subtract the crowds and the heat of the mid-day sun. Ahh.....

The moon was almost full, and seemed to nuzzle up against the soft side of our Lady Liberty, as she posed there in the simmering setting sun. Many were there, but not enough to destroy the calm that seemed to be with us like a calming breeze; the heat had spared us all last night, and the breezes kept us cool.

We could see our other favorite island in a quite different light:

The daily tourist, or traveler, cannot enjoy this view; the ferry stops too early for them. Only on

these Thursday nights is this possible. And we had a wonderful evening.

When it came time for us all to depart (for if we missed the ferry, as the rather abrupt ranger said in the beginning, "you swim"), we gathered on the top deck to enjoy the cruise home through the evening waves.

It was a little hard to believe that's where some of us live, but it is - and we weren't the only ones in the harbor to celebrate Manhattan.

We looked back at Lady Liberty - standing and admiring .... There were many who watched the sun caress the water, and reflect off all the buildings.

The evening may not have been long enough for some, but all of us enjoyed the life on the water of the harbor at least for a little while. Perhaps we could imagine ourselves passengers on private yachts, or crewmembers of commercial vessels of years ago ....






Yet, those dreams are but that - right? Dreams?

Yes - but we will always dream!