Walking to the Hudson

July 3rd 2019

Set off down 120th towards the Hudson.  530 in the evening, and it was still warm.  New Yorkers were out in their shorts and summer wear, and the kids seemed to be out of school and in the playgrounds.

The tall buildings kept me in the shade, as I crossed Malcolm Boulevard, Frederick Douglas and Manhattan Ave, to arrive at the steps of Morningside Park.  Dog walkers and dogs of all shapes and sizes.  

Climbed the hill via the steps through the park, and it was Columbia University territory.  Old buildings with impressive facades.

Teachers College

Renovations and the Riverside Church spire behind

The church is magnificent - the tallest church in the US!  Started in 1927 and completed in 1930.

Commissioned by Rockefeller.  April 4th 1967, Martin Luther King made a speech against Vietnam War here.

Chanced upon the Grant memorial, the final resting place of the 18th President of the US, Ulysses Grant and his wife Julia Grant.

General in the Union Army during the Civil War, he was a young president, and it was his wish to be buried in NY and not DC.

Magnificent oaks all around

And Gingko trees as well

Characteristic leaves of the gingko

The upper end of the Riverside drive

More steps, downwards to the river

And I was below the bridge....

George Washington Bridge across the Hudson, in to NJ.  that evening, the Lincoln Tunnel was closed due to an accident, and it was the 4th Of July the next day.... the roads were filled with standstill cars, and I was glad to bet walking.

The USS Baylander - now a museum ship - served in the Vietnam War.

The Birding Walk caught my eye...

The beautiful and clean Hudson River.  The water was clear!

 The sun was still strong when I reached the Hudson, and I was impressed with the beautiful planned cycling track and walking path along the banks of the river.  Both were well used even at that time of the day.  Bikers were speeding down the path.  (Later I came to know that there are accidents due to speeding cyclists - and in fact someone we knew fell and broke his jaw as a result of this.). So beware of the cyclists as well!

All across Harlem are these sidewalk protections - to keep pedestrians safe when the building is being worked upon.  What a great idea.  And here I am in India, where there are more pedestrians but yet with fewer pavements and every time there is a construction, the pavement gets taken over, and the pedestrian has to fend for him/herself, weaving in between the traffic.  Makes me wonder which country is more favourable for the common man. 

820 in the evening, and the sun was slowly sinking, and the glass windows of the building seemed to be on fire.

Back home, and the sun was setting behind the Riverside Church spire.  A satisfying walk, rounded up with some great dinner.