Today I wrapped up my latest visit to New York, where I spent time with my sister and her husband. The city was great in both rain and sunshine. I loved every minute spent in Central Park — amazing at all times of year, but especially in spring. I also enjoyed an exhibit of JRR Tolkien’s art and letters at the Morgan Library (available only until May 12) and my visits with a number of my sister’s friends.
The first picture is of dawn on the Upper West Side. Next are flowering trees near the West Side Community Garden, followed by photos of the garden itself. How terrific to see that much prime real estate being used in this way!
I photographed the Tolkien poster, but no picture-taking was allowed inside the actual exhibit, alas. Tolkien was a fascinating artist as well as a writer of fantasies like The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Among the works shown at the Morgan were the illustrated letters from Father Christmas to Tolkien’s children, which I showed you in 2018, here.
The concluding pictures are from Central Park. I can’t get over what an artist the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead was to create so many diverse vistas showcasing nature, never disrupting it. There are wonderful rock formations, hills and valleys, grottoes, woodland paths, waterfalls, streams …
It’s also impressive to observe how residents and city government alike use and cherish the park these days. I remember a time when I wasn’t supposed to go near it when walking my aunt’s corgi in the morning. Nowadays, the mornings are filled with bikers, walkers, runners, dogs — and the lucky people whose work commute is on foot through all that beauty.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
The Central Park photos are wonderful–such an oasis. Olmstead was a genius, in my opinion. His fingerprints are all over the park system we enjoyed in Buffalo for years, too.
And in Boston, we have Olmstead’s Emerald Necklace, never quite finished. Today, more than ever, people seem to realize how much they need an expanse of urban greenery.
Lovely! I haven’t been in NYC since December 1972. I can’t believe it has been so long. These pictures make me really miss that city.
It’s definitely time to go back!
So good to see your spring flowers! Our daffodils are long gone for this year, they just don’t last long enough. That rustic bench is fantastic with the daffodils in the background. Nice community garden!
I couldn’t get over how many clumps of daffodils had been planted *all over* Central Park. Daffodils were everywhere.
How I envy you. New York is one of my favorite cities, and I would very much like to see the Tolkien exhibit. Lots of pearls on the string in New York City.
There are, of course, downsides. There are so many bags of trash outside every building, the haulers never seem to make a dent. I thought I wouldn’t take a picture of that.
Downsides to nearly every place.
I loved your old bench and all the daffodils. I would love to return to New York one day. I miss it. I hope your sister was feeling better.
Thanks. My sister is doing remarkably well. I’ll forward the family update.
My children live and got to school in the city, so I go there often. I enjoy Broadway plays, the museums, and taking open dance classes. Central Park is lovely in the spring and summer.
There is a lot to enjoy. People who live there sometimes need a quiet break, but for those of us who visit, it’s always a treat.