Got the Time?

When we arrive at Central Park for our weekly Saturday romp - we enter off of 59th street - go through the zoo...and then to FREEDOM...we have to keep our leashes on in the zoo - even in the off leash hours. I guess some dogs would want to stay and play with the animals....I want to get to the other side - where Mom unsnaps my leash and I run around like a ....trying to come up with the right word...but truth be known...I RUN AROUND LIKE A FOOL! A very happy fool!


On our way through the zoo - we come upon the Delacorte Clock...


The Delacorte Clock, is located right above the arcade between the Wildlife Center and the Children's Zoo . It was a gift of publisher and philanthropist George T. Delacorte and was dedicated on June 4, 1965. Designer Fernando Texidor collaborated with architect Edward Coe Embury (son of the 1934 zoo’s designer, Aymar Embury II) to create a brick arcaded bridge between the Monkey House (now the Zoo School) and the main Central Park Zoo quadrangle to house the clock and its animal sculpture carousel. Italian sculptor Andrea Spadini (1912–1983) crafted the whimsical bronze sculptures, which depict a penguin, kangaroo, bear, elephant, goat, and hippo parading with a variety of musical instruments as well as two monkeys with mallets that strike the bell.

Each day between eight in the morning and six in the evening, the clock--now digitally programmed--plays one of thirty-two nursery rhyme tunes on the hour. On the half-hour, the mechanical performance is a bit shorter. The animals rotate on a track around the clock and each also turns on an axis.
In 1995, the Central Park Conservancy supervised a restoration of the clock and sculptures, financed through an endowment established by the family of Mr. Delacorte in 1993.

Just another fun spot we get to enjoy and I wanted to share with my friends.

NEXT UP: UNGA....to those who don't live in NYC - this is the United Nations General Assembly. It's an annual meeting - the streets in our neighborhood are blocked off due to all the motorcades coming and going from the UN...which means 1st Avenue will be lined with Police Officers and Firemen...Its my favorite time of year. It takes twice as long for me to get to the dog run in the morning, because I MUST stop and greet each and every one. And you know I'm not kidding...it embarasses Mom - which of course is half the fun. Now that I'm blogging I will remind her to take the camera!

Let's Ramble

As promised - Mom and I headed to The Ramble in Central Park.

The Ramble is 38-acres of what appears to be untouched woodlands smack in the middle of Central Park. In reality, like the rest of the park, The Ramble was all part of the Olmsted's grand design. Even the stream, known as The Gill, was created for this area. It can be turned on and off at a water tap.

Our journey started at the Bow Bridge.

Once in the Ramble – you loose site of the surrounding city. You feel transported to a mountain wilderness that seems to be hours away.

Hey – we’re city girls – we do what we can within shouting distance of Tiffany's and Bergdorf's . In fact on our little journey today we discovered a rustic shelter...

Enjoyed the cool shade and gentle breezes... on the pathways....

And the granite steps.....

And the boulders....OK - fine - we (make that I) took a nap or two. A perfectly lazy Saturday in the Park!

As we wound our way through the woods to the Belvedere Castle – we came across the official NYC Weather Monitoring Station.

When broadcasters mention the temperature and precipitation for NYC – they mean right here – in The Ramble of Central Park!

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend! Until our next adventure…

Balto, My Balto!

Here is a true Dog Hero.

Of the 51 sculptures dotted throughout Central Park, this is by far my favorite.

Just off East Drive at 67th Street, a bronze sculpture by artist Frederick George Richard Roth (1872-1944) was added to the landscape of my Park in 1925.

The slate tablet on the granite boulder explains it all. Balto, a black & white Alaskan Malamute lead a dogsled team through a blizzard to deliver the antitoxin to halt a diphtheria epidemic. Balto and his teammates are all heroes.

Best of all, when we enter the Park at Central Park South, meander through the zoo, (run up hill #1) take a left at BALTO, walk through Mom favorite promenade, past the band shell, around the Bethesda Fountain....and then it's time for BACON!

That's how I spent my Saturday. It's just been so hot here in NYC it took me 2 days of rest (and plenty of a/c) to write about it!

Untill our next adventure...

Copyright 2009, Central Bark Designs, Inc., All Rights Reserved

The Soundtrack of My Life

You know how when you go to the movies, say, “When Harry Met Sally”, and there are beautiful shots of Central Park with a soulful saxophone playing softly in the background. (OK – so my Marine buddies might not – but trust me – it’s a girl-thing) Its not just in the movies. In Central Park – its part of life. My life.

The first time it happened I felt like very “Holly Golightly”….entering The Park off Central Park South I approach the Pond and then I hear it. Softly as first. I was momentarily distracted by the ducks and the thought of a good swim….but the music becomes stronger….and then as we go around the bend, there he is. My very own saxophone player.

“Moon River” lingers as we continue down the path, cross 65^th Street and head for The Mall.

The Mall is Mom’s favorite spot in The Park. Not one of her favorites. Her absolute favorite. You’d think she was walking under the canopy of American Elms with George Clooney at her side – but no – it’s just me. I’m not crazy about the pea gravel promenade – but you can’t argue with the serenity of the place. Four rows of Olmsted & Vaux’s favorite American Elms. The wide avenue is lined with benches facing one another. At times I meet a new friend along the way. I keep checking for Clooney but no such luck (I’m trying Mom).

Before you know it the sounds of the saxophone fade and are replaced with something else. Something wonderful. Something they call the Blues.

We make our way past the Naumberg Bandshell, and there by the old world carved benches not one – but four musicians. Playing the Blues.

If you’re not a fan of the blues I can only assume you’ve never truly listened to the Blues. Deep, passionate, soulful. The Blues. We took a seat along the benches and just enjoyed the moment.

You may have noticed I did a quick puddle-dive on my way past the bandshell. Sometimes I just can't help myself. We could stay in this one spot for hours, but it’s time to move on.

The Blues drift away, and up ahead I see him. (No, not Clooney) We walk down the steps to the Bethesda Terrace. There through the archway with the Bethesda Fountain in the background, my 2^nd very own saxophone player. And he’s playing classic Billy Joel. This is a perfect New York day.

It’s time to start heading home. As difficult as it is to leave The Park – I know I’ll be back…for another adventure.

Copyright 2009, Central Bark Designs, Inc. All Rights Reserved