I know it’s been “awhile” since I’ve been in school, but I went to my niece Taylor’s junior high school musical last night… and was oddly transfixed by these little goodies on the wall. Groovy industrial retro vibe!!!

Last Sunday we pedaled over a hundred miles in hundred degree weather through the rural farmlands around Kankakee. We followed along both the Kankakee River and the Iroquois River and had a wonderful trip putting in the miles… and finding little treasures along the way. Like this really cool old building from 1911… abandoned & left behind… but not before someone added a pay phone??? When was the last time you saw one of those???

And then a bit of humor found in the fields…

Sure, the art collection inside the Art Institute is pretty darn AMAZING. But outside is pretty cool too… with a great mix of modern architecture on the Modern Wing juxtaposed with the vintage Chicago Stock Exchange arch by Louis Sullivan.

So then THIS is happening today!!!
All new windows in our condo building. A lot of pounding, chipping and vacuuming.

Old wood. Old windows. Lots of debris to clean before the new windows go in.

I’m going to miss the vintage charm of my old wood windows…
but LOVE the convenience, improvements & thermal-ness of the new ones!!!

Out with the old and in with the new!

 

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There’s some beautiful architectural details on The Bank On Broadway a couple blocks from my place. Unfortunately the bank is now-defunct and has been sitting empty for a long time. My fear is that some developer will swoop in and tear the place down to build condos or some other soul-less edifice. Which would be such a shame with historic craftsmanship like this still lingering in the Edgewater neighborhood.

A bit dreary downtown today. It can’t quite decide if it wants to rain or snow?!

One of the coolest parts of Manhattan being an island is all of the really cool bridges everywhere! Beautiful design, architecture & construction abound. I love that each one is a different design… and that many of them are really old and have gracefully withstood the test of time.

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After finally getting my bearings and heading back north, I had a WONDERFUL time going through Central Park in New York. So many wonderful things to see every where you look. Incredible sculpture, architecture and craftsmanship EVERYwhere. Amazing that they’ve kept this amazing parcel of land intact for so long.

It was warm, drizzly, and quite foggy as I entered the park…
but that NEVER stopped my adventure! It’s just water… you’ll dry off!!!

I entered the park at the southwest corner at Columbus Circle.

As I stepped into the park, I was taken by the low-flying fog engulfing the park.

No detail is overlooked. Even the caps on the fences & bridges are exquisite.
Love the artsy styling and fine craftsmanship all around… the mossy lichens aren’t too bad either!

So many cool places to walk, stairs to climb, bridges to go over.
The perfect place to get away from the hustle & bustle of the Manhattan streets.

Tiny details on the fence that surrounds the Carrousel… sadly closed for the season!

Wonderful craftsmanship all around the Bethesda Terrace. Great columns & pilasters with carved details and friezes. Love the fact that they’ve been here for SO long… and the mossy green “patina” on them is pretty darn cool too.

And then you enter the lower level of Bethesda Terrace to find a hidden treasure…

An amazing installation of colorful & illuminated ceramic ceiling tiles!!!

The Loeb Boathouse

Hans Christian Anderson statue

Alice In Wonderland statue

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Three Bears statue by Paul Manship

The Belvedere Castle

Bank Rock Bridge on The Lake

Ramble Arch Bridge

Bow Bridge

Finally needing to bring my adventure to an end… I made it though the Central Park Zoo and headed out the southeast corner of the park. I loved this really cool “birdcage” sculpture by Ai Wei. You can’t really see them, but inside the lower level are actual “turnstyle gates” from the subway!

Followed by the more traditional golden Tecumsah Sherman statue
across the street from The Plaza Hotel.

Sure, I may have gotten “lost” for the first part of my adventure…
but it was totally worth it with this incredible tour through Central Park.

Always my favorite place in New York City!!!

And for those who want even more Central Park… click here for a fun video
showing the park during the summer, including some of the Park’s hidden treasures!

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Spirals, Circles and Parallelograms… oh my.