Battery Park, NYC

The very southern end of Battery Park is probably the most historical part of the city, dating back to the first Dutch settlement.

Hosting the Staten Island ferry (free for pedestrians), the Regional Coast Guard facility, Tour boats for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, entrance to the Holland Tunnel, Pier A (century long home of the NYC Fire Dept. Marine shops), St. Elizabeths(the oldest church in NYC.-George Washington and the boys prayed here before the uprising!), a fort or two, skyscrapers, hot dog and can you believe...."Silk Tie" stands.


Yes, and add to that- street performers, homeless, tons of world tourists and a couple of NY's Finest on horse back.


Just a note, but the fireboat is the McKean, named after a Fire Dept. Marine Engineer who died in the line of duty. He was a friend of my father. As a kid-I would sometimes go to work with my dad was also a F.D. marine engineer and stayed below decks while at the shops/ Pier A/ Marine 1. The McKean is 55 and still in service.
read more @ (http://www.fireboat.org/history/fleetlist.asp)



The bronze sculpture has been there for many years and I think is called Survival, dedicated to those mariners lost at sea.


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Empire State Building, NYC

I never take this view for granted. It's beautiful and I've been lucky enough to have grown up viewing it often.

Seen here from the top of Rockefeller Center, looking south.

What a Doll! F.A.O Schwartz NYC

Yes, they both are!

The BIG Piano

Enjoying a stroll at the lower end of Central Park, we were facinated by the lovely store preparations already displayed. Window displays were awesome and I rarely use that word.




We had walked up to this area from Tiffany's, which is known for it's world class window displays for Christmas as well as during the year. We had just enough time to enter F.A.O. Schwartz, the famed Toy Store that was in the Tom Hanks film "BIG". Still present was the Big Piano and adults and kids were struttin' the keys, usually to wide smiles or chuckles.




Outside, I could't help hamin' it up with the Door Man.

Time and Time Again. NYC

NYC Empire State Building

One of the most memorable things from childhood, was my first visit to the Empire State Building. My dad had taken my brother and I in for the day.

Dorothy and I stepped out on the town, Empire State Building in the backround. We first went to Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral and more sites but thats an upcoming post.

I have been back many times. It has always been to show someone else the National Treasure of the Empire State Building and other sites, but the view and sense of wonder, at the engineering and logistics of the men of those days to erect something like this in one year and one month.

Enjoy the photos and click on any photos to enlarge them somewhat for better viewing.





On 34th Street looking West, the top is aglow with color of late afternoon sunset.





During holidays and special events the lighting of the top will be done in many different color themes.
























The Chrysler building Art Deco upper floors bathed in white lights off to the NNE.







The streets below, with Macy's department store("The Largest Store in the World"-- the entire city block) sporting a wall hanging Christmas tree, (thousands of white lights on the face of the building.)


Another, looking North includes the darkness of Central Park(right edge), the glow of lights in Times Square(obvious, just slightly left of center).










A telephoto view, taken from the 86 th floor of the Empire State Building's west side. The face of Macy's Christmas Lights.





















Downtown Manhattan is still a city of lights at 10 p.m. The bridges, left to right in the distance, is the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, all crossing from Brooklyn to Manhattan and far off, the Verazano Bridge from Brooklyn to Staten Island.

New York City

We have taken a short visit to NYC to bury my father's ashes in a family plot, as per his wishes. That done, we are taking a few days to re visit the city of my youth and enjoy some of it's sites.

Yesterday we spent about 4 hours viewing the extraordinary exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium on Central Parks West Side. What a wonderful treat as always. I must have been in this museum 8-10 times over my lifetime and always enjoy the small portion I am able to see in one day. The amount of material they have for viewing is beyond one's ability to see in a week.

Some time was spent at first arrival attending the Space and Stars show, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg. It was an Imax type of video lasting about 25 minutes but extremely good.

The dinosaur exhibit was next. I think it has the best and most complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the world and many many complete skeletons of virtually everything that lived, that has been discovered. From Tyrannosaurus rex to the smallest of creatures.

We also spent much time viewing rocks, gems, mineral displays/via Margaret Mead, North American birds,African mammals, forests dioramas,mammals,biodiversity, Plains Indians Eastern Woodland Indians, Pacific Peoples as well as all of the display rooms of the North American Indian displays.

Rockefeller Center Lobby, NYC

The walls and ceilings of the main lobby of Rockefeller Center are covered with murals depicting the struggle of mankind. Presently, it is undergoing restoration. Most people know of Rockefeller Center for it's Christmas Tree during the Christmas Season, and the outdoors ice skating rink.

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Palm Tiki

The premier Tiki carver 'delivers'.




I'm way behind in posting photos and some text of the most interesting aspects of our motorhome trip this fall, but to catch up, I'm going to begin with Palm Tiki.

Always a good supply on hand, but on busy weekends, the cars line up with trunks open!

Palm Tiki, is actually Charlie Night or to some, Carlos Noche! Charlie is my wife's brother and his passion, well one of them, is carving. Carving with a chain saw to be more accurate. Years ago, he kind ran off to find himself and as a surfer, found home in Central America.

Safe procedures are necessary when working day after day with chain saws and other power equipment.


He juggled to make ends meet, but found wood carving dominating his days. Long story made short....Charlie is now WELL known, as Palm Tiki, an original in N.W. Florida and way beyond.


In the early 90's, I went to see his work at art shows. HUGE wood carvings, started with a chain saw then worked with grinders, then sanders, then ??, his work was beautiful and always unique. Did I mention LARGE? Some of his early pieces sold at auction for well over $20 grand. He still does special pieces and commissions, but the bread and butter pieces are the Palm Tikis.

These cypress poles are 20-25' long and up to 18" thick!

Carvings are also done out of hardwoods, like oak and maple and cypress. He will receive some unusual sections of trees from tree surgeons and others who have grown to know and respect his special talent for 'seeing' things in the wood that need to be brought to our eyes. He always amazes.

The Tikis and pelicans are available for viewing in and around his large shop and property off Hwy. 98 about 15 miles east of Pensacola. There are now others trying to compete now for his trade, but none compare. Tiki Huts come standard or custom built for discriminating homeowners, waterfront bars, restaurants and such.

The word of his work has spread far. Shown in some of these photos are custom made "Fruit" poles. A new resort in Central America has hired Charlie to produce an incredible amount of very large special wood carvings. Some, are not just carved, but he then stains, highlights or actually paints the wood to lifelike appearance.

We had stopped as we were passing through, and borrowed one of the Palm Tiki ladders, so that I could install the forward clearance lights I had just made and only a day before, finished painting.

I drove our motorhome off to the side of his studio, under a big tree for shade, and proceeded to finish my project.

Dorothy, took her camera and captured some of her brother's work. We forgot to take photos of the beautiful dolphin/reef and other fish sculptures inside his showroom but maybe I can procure some. If so, I'll edit this post.

Thatched roofs are another trick of his trade. Nice work

Enough text. Enjoy the photos. Charlie doesn't have much time for computers, but his basic site gives his contact info and more of his history in art.



for more:
www.palmtiki.com