Thanks to the Sky

Lunch at the 79th Street Boat Basin, Jul 2009 - 20

I was just walking out of Riverside Park at this point, onto the southwest corner of Riverside Drive at 72nd Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and happened to turn and take one last look into the park. I noticed this woman sunbathing, which was relatively unremarkable -- but then, all of a sudden, she raised her arms, raised her legs, and crossed her ankles, in what looked like some kind of homage to the summer sun...

Note: this photo was published in the Jul 6, 2009 issue of Gawker, in a post titled "Thanks to the Sky."

***********************

There's a cafe by the 79th Street Boat Basin, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan -- nestled into the stone arches of the 79th Street entrance/exit of the West Side Highway. I've walked past it numerous times, during strolls along the river, but I've never had the time or inclination to stop for a snack or a meal. But on this quiet, sunny Fourth of July weekend, it seemed like just the place to go for a relaxing lunch, looking out over the river as people walked by, and boats sailed up and down the Hudson River.

After lunch, I couldn't resist the temptation to stroll down to the pier that extends out into the river at 70th Street, part of the landscaping improvements that Donald Trump made on behalf of NYC when he built a row of luxury apartment buildings along this stretch of the west side. After that, I strolled back up past the Boat Basin to 82nd Street, and then back down to 72nd Street again - before exiting from Riverside Park, and heading off to the gym for some additional exercise.

And, oh, did I mention that I had my camera with me?