Wood-lined tunnel leading into the Grand Meadow in the 585-acre Prospect Park, Brooklyn, which was designed in 1865 by Frederick Law Olmsted & Calvert Vaux, and built in 1866-1873. The tunnel makes for a dramatic introduction to the beauty of the park.
Tree-lined street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Imagine what this street would be like without the trees.
Thanks to a tip (comment) from Anonymous a few days ago, I went to Jimmy’s on this, my last night in NYC. Down a flight of dark stairs and into what felt like a medieval tavern on East 7th (#43, between 2nd & 3rd). You know how you enter a room and everything feels right? Had several glasses of Greenport Hoppy Stout and excellent pasta dish and talked to 4 different people at the bar. There’s something intimate about NYC; you’re in such close proximity to people in public places. This is a wonderful pub, in a formerly Ukrainian
neighborhood, I recommend it highly. Their food is made with ingredients from local farms. They have many beers. NYC is an infinitely complex and deep city. It’s what you make of it and what you take of it.
(These should actually be called “redstones.”)
Spoonbill & Sugartown is a unique independent bookstore in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn — everything in the book world that Amazon is not. This was my 15th signing/slideshow event in the last 3 months and it was off to a good start when, before I started, a big guy came up and said he first saw Shelter when he was 8 years old and it had inspired him to become a builder. Plus my good friends from Bolinas, now living in NYC, twin skateboarder/artists Shelter and Ivory Serra showed up.
I did the slides (11″ MacAir and lightweight Epson digital projector all of which I carry in my backpack) and answered questions, and 2+ hours flew by. Such good vibes.
Collage poster by Rachel Day
I was pretty wiped out, especially after 4 nights of minimal sleep, and walked down to the Venezuelan restaurant Caracas on Grand and had 2 “Dark & Strong” rum/ginger drinks and a plate of shredded beef w/rice and black beans. Great place, cool personnel, great food and drink (about 25 types of rum). Williamsburg is a great area, just across the river from Manhattan. There’s a peacefulness in the air, even with all the activity and people. Absent is the roar of the Big City.
Ahh! End of my tour. Now one more half-day at the book expo and then 3 days to scout for adventure in this, the capital of the universe.
I got into my hotel in Manhattan around 4 PM yesterday after 3 hours sleep the night before, and when my plastic key didn’t work twice, I asked for a different room and could it be up high? Well the angel at the desk gave me a suite on the 26th floor and to my amazement it had a large balcony with deck chairs, best room I’ve ever had here. Thank you lord. The climate is perfect, a bit of rain, shirt sleeve weather, a comfortable 70 degrees. I hit the streets about 6, headed downtown (I’m at 31st & 7th), got some Japanese bubble tea, ran into this wonderful group of people in Union Square doing the Argentine tango, had a great Vietnamese meal at the Saigon Shack (114 MacDougal), cappuccino at Cafe Reggio, wandered shooting pics, watched the last 4 minutes of a great game between the Celtics and Lakers (those guys are so beautiful!), walked into the Bitter End just as a powerful little singer, Sirsy and her band were doing a rock and roll version of Johnny Be Good, and was it good! I listen to mostly blues, also bluegrass, “outlaw country,” 50s R&B, and Vivaldi, but there’s just something about rock and roll. Thrills my soul.
Location: Portland, OR
Square Feet: 365
“What I Love About My Small Home:
Though our apartment suffers a bit from old building syndrome (poor water pressure, only a few electrical outlets, and a random pipe in the bathroom that gets burning hot from 5-7 PM every night), an overwhelming sense of ‘homey-ness’ is felt in every corner of our studio thanks to the craftsmanship and details that are rarely seen in modern apartments.…”
It’s such a great little city. Seagulls flying squawking throughout. A maritime city. Water and boats all around. I love it here. Yesterday was a great day with Godfrey and two amazing boat builders + a visit to Bruno Atkey’s 39′ home-made junk-rigged steel hulled sailboat Ola Suerte, just a stunning delight (20 years in the making), and barbecued salmon at Bruno’s + a bunch of friends for his birthday, and today after signing books at two big V. bookstores, and visiting Paul, who’s built a beautiful 16′ 150-lb. rowboat with sails, I went to hear a local blues band, Summer and the Sinners at Swan’s Pub; I had a pint of Coconut Porter and talked to Summer, who was sitting next to me at the bar before she went on. We talked about Susan Tedeschi’s latest incarnation with Mr.Trucks, and then they played, JimmyReed and Elmore Leonard in their veins. A great little hometown band. “We’re from right here!” said Summer after a robust round of applause.
Last night I met my friend Michael McNamara (who’s in Builders of the Pacific Coast) for dinner at this lively place on Hamilton Street. Good local beers on tap, oyster paradise.
I’m at Blenz Coffee in Yaletown. It wasn’t until I set my latte down that I noticed the barista art. How witty! I went over and gave the barista lady a mini book.
Last time in Vancouver I stayed at the Best Western Hotel on Drake St. Turned out to be right across street from The Yale Hotel, one of the best blues venues anywhere. New bands every night. A person could — if person wanted to — sit through a set, then at intermission retire to room across street, smoke a joint,and watch out window until band members went back in for the next set.
Again this year I lucked out in getting a room (out of 4 possible street orientations) facing the Yale. But to no avail, boo-hoo, as the Yale is closed for a year of repairs.
Here are a few photos. Cute little harbor tour boat, looks like the little boat that thought it could.
In an hour I’m going out with friends on a vintage tugboat for a harbor tour (in the rain).
