Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island, which is a small island in the East River between Manhattan and Queens,

has been in the news frequently of late. 

The reason for the publicity was the official opening of the FDR Four Freedoms Park, designed by Louis Kahn, at the southern tip of the island. 

I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, so I’ll have to do a follow-up blog when I do. 

But in the meantime, it reminded me of these beautiful photos that I took on the island a few years ago.  

The views of midtown Manhattan from the island are fabulous and include such landmark buildings as the U.N.,

and the Empire State Building. 

But there’s no doubt that the real highlight of the trip is taking the tram back and forth. 

It’s like being on a Disney ride for the cost of a subway trip - $2.25. 

 What a bargain!

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Air & Space Museum

One of the highlights of any visit to Washington D.C. is a stop at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space museum. 

It’s chock full of all sorts of interesting planes from a variety of eras. 

Most of them seem to be so small that you really have to wonder

what the people who flew in them must have been thinking.  

And they don’t seem to have been much protection against bad weather.

Sometimes the painted backgrounds are as interesting as the planes.

And there are some familiar names. 

It really is a visual extravaganza. 

Full of historic icons -- including of course, the best part of any visit – the Apollo Lunar Module. 

Those guys must have really been nuts.  It looks like it’s made from tinker toys and duct tape.

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Orchids

After mentioning a few weeks ago how pretty the orchids are at the National Botanical Garden

I thought it was time to feature some of them in a blog. 

 As I said they have a lovely collection -- in a room that mists every few minutes. 

 So if you time it right you can get water drops in your photos. 

Despite my green thumb I have never had much success growing orchids. 

It’s simply too easy to over water them.

  

 But I picked up a great tip from a florist recently. 

Assuming that your pot has a hole in the bottom,

you can simply sit it in a few inches of water for a couple of minutes once a week

 and you’ll be all set.

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer

Central Park Snow: Part 2

So far the 2012/2013 season has been a bust as far as pretty snowstorms go. 

But luckily I have a lifetime supply of beautiful photos of Central Park

 from snowstorms past. 

So here are some for everyone to enjoy,

 including photos of a few park icons such as Belvedere Castle,

and the statue of the three bears.  

I always come early so I can get some people free

 and footprint free shots. 

But by the time I leave the park is usually packed. 

 Can you imagine trying to sled with these crowds?

Ciao

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer