TODAY IN NEW YORK CITY: 7.28.2020 - IN RECOVERY

Remember I told you how good it felt to go into the city last week

for the first time since the pandemic hit?

(Read about that here).

Well, today I went in for a dentist appointment,

and it was quite a different experience.

My dentist's office is in Rockefeller Center.

I was looking forward to getting there a little early,

just to soak up the city's vibes.

I don't know what I was expecting, but I was shocked.

I haven't seen midtown like this since 9/11.

Funny, I've  always felt safe in midtown.

On guard and aware, but safe.

Today, at 10:00 in the morning, I actually felt vulnerable,

walking almost completely alone

on sidewalks that are usually teeming with people.

Sixth Avenue was a ghost town.

Fifth Avenue was desolate.

Rockefeller Center was deserted.

There were a handful of people sitting in some Adirondack chairs.

Imagine that - almost everyone in Rockefeller Center had a seat!

I think I may have seen a couple dozen people in Rockefeller Center.

I can't tell you how sad this made me.

I don't know what it's like in the rest of the country,

but New York is still in recovery.

I will never get exasperated at the crowds of people

getting in the way of my pictures again.

At least Prometheus was there.........

And he was wearing a mask.

YESTERDAY IN NEW YORK CITY: FIRST TIME BACK!

Yup, that's right.
Yesterday.
New York City.

I was there.

The last time I was in the city was December.

That's the longest I've been away in 40 years!

Today was my first time back since the pandemic rolled into town.

I would like to say that I went to have some fun,

but truth be told, it was for a doctor's appointment that I'd postponed.

I was in and out of the city in one hour,

but I did have a few minutes to walk around before my appointment.

It didn't take long to notice two things:

1. The streets were empty.

2. Almost everyone was wearing a mask.

 

Yet, there were signs of life.

People were walking, jogging, biking, shopping, eating.

It felt so good to be back, even for just a short and sweet visit.......

and even if things are not yet back to normal.

I had time to walk over to the reservoir at Central Park.

You know me......

Any chance I get to stare at some water, I take it.

In my quick trip to the city, it was clear to see that

New Yorkers are working hard to keep coronavirus from making a comeback.

So, PLEASE, rest of the country.......

Learn from New York (and New Jersey and Connecticut).......

Wear your masks.

Keep socially distant.

There is scientific evidence that if everyone wore a mask in public,

the U.S. could get COVID-19 under control in 4-8 weeks.

That sounds a heck of a lot better to me than never.

We are all in this together, so let's fight it together.

Mask up, America!

PIERMONT PIER - A QUARANTINE DISCOVERY

I'm curious.......

Where are you on the spectrum of social distancing?

Over the July 4th weekend, I was looking at pictures on Facebook of many people I know

who were on vacation, or gathering with friends and family.

I had to wonder if we were among the last to adhere to social distancing.

Personally, I'm still keeping my distance.

 I'm not on the far end of the spectrum of those who haven't ventured out at all, 

but I'm not anywhere close to the middle, either.  

I do go food shopping periodically.

I even went into Target and Home Goods for a short time last week. 

I felt absolutely giddy walking around Home Goods,

although possibly, it was the lack of oxygen under my mask.

Masking up was a small price to pay for much needed retail therapy, and I didn't stay long.

The temptation to go frequently, or visit other shops
(oh, the lure of the mall!) is strong,

but I continue to stay on a pretty short quarantine leash.

I'm not ready to put myself or those around me in a position of risk.  

Admittedly, however, on July 4th,

I couldn't help but think of Independence Days past, without a sense of sadness.

Quarantine life was definitely getting me down. 

I needed do something to cheer myself up.

"Want to go for a ride?"
Mr. Goo Shoes said it first, but I was on my way to ask him the very same thing.

He suggested something completely different than I expected.......

lunch at one of our favorite little roadside joints.

We hadn't yet taken advantage of the "outside dining" re-openings.
I agreed, both excitedly and reluctantly,

but the desire to do something NORMAL won out.

We agreed that if it looked too crowded when we got there, we wouldn't go.

Considering that it was July 4th, and a beautiful day,

I was pretty sure I'd be eating the granola bar I packed just in case.

Surprisingly, the restaurant was wonderfully empty.......

At 3:30pm, we were in between the lunch and dinner crowds.

We indulged in Connecticut-style lobster rolls

(made with melted butter instead of mayo).

Afterwards, we drove a few minutes north to the Piermont Pier, in Piermont, NY,

which we'd never been to, even though it's only 15 minutes from home.

It felt so good to see someplace new!

Because of the heat, we could only stay about a half hour.

Even still, I managed to take about 150 pictures.
Not to worry.......most were the victim of my "Delete" button.

The pier is on the Hudson River,

with perfect views of the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the north.

This new bridge replaced the aging Tappan Zee Bridge,

which connects Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York.

This is a bridge we cross rather frequently....... well, at least we did in life as we used to know it.

We'd take it to see friends, to visit Junior Goo Shoes at college,

and to eat at some of our favorite restaurants.

It's hard to break old habits, so I will probably always call it the Tappan Zee.

And, I will always think of Junior GS' imitation of his high school teacher.......
"Such beautiful truss work!"

when he took them on a field trip to the former Tappan Zee Bridge.

Looking towards south are views of lower Westchester County, NY.

Just past that is The Bronx, and New York City, which are obstructed due to a bend in the river.

If I swam straight across the Hudson, I'd be at my bestie's house.

Believe me, it was so hot, there was a brief delusional moment when I considered it.

Being near the water always helps my mood.

I wonder if there is such a thing as "water therapy?"

I don't mean swimming in it, or drinking it.......I mean just looking at it.

Do you feel that way, too?

It definitely had the desired effect on Saturday.

I left the house feeling sad and irritable,

but returned feeling a little calmer and happier.

Piermont, NY is a charming town on the banks of the Hudson River,

which we have frequented over the years for its restaurants.

Now, we have another reason to go.......the Piermont Pier.

I can't wait to see the views from the pier in the fall.

Socially distant picnic, anyone?