30: Central Park

Central Park ... September '08. I am a big fan of this walk because it was my typical route through the park.

We started at the Diana Ross Playground. Diana Ross, herself, lives in the building across the street. In 1983, the year of both bee-bopper's births, Ms. Ross gave a free concert in Central Park. The playground was built three years later.


Notice how I don't even look pregnant from behind?

Do not be fooled - I am massively pregnant at this point.


Here we are at the Delacort Theatre in Central Park. The Delacort rocks because it is home to Shakespeare in the Park, one of the most amazing free summer events in NYC. Repeat, AMAZING. If you ever have the chance to go, it is well worth a morning's wait in line.

True Fact - Central Park is the most visited park in the United States. It is truly beautiful and has many, many footpaths to frolick along.


We've always been fans of Belvedere Castle, which is both pretty and functional - it serves as Cental Park's weather station.
From Belvedere Castle, you get a nice view of the Upper East Side, The Great Lawn, and Turtle Pond.


One of the lovely things about Central Park is the lack of a skyline in certain areas. There is nothing better than to look out over the Great Lawn when it is empty - no people, no buildings, just GRASS. So rare in NYC.
It makes you want to do silly things, like cartwheels ...

which will make you feel sheepish.



Across from Turtle Pond sits the King Jageillo Monument, which depicts the triumph of one of the most famous kings in the histories of Poland and Lithuania. The monument was originally supposed to return to Poland after the World's Fair in 1939, but remained in the U.S. due to Germany's invasion of Poland. In 1945 it was permanently placed in Central Park.

Megan: "V for victory!"
Jill - "No, I won't pose like the statue. You can't make me."

ugh ... fine. Can we please move on?



Megan overlooking beautiful Turtle Pond, which was completed in 1997. Interesting tidbit: Turtle Pond was designed so that at no position can a viewer take in all its perimeter.


Hans Christian Andersen reads "The Ugly Duckling" to me, and I gaze at him adoringly. There is hope for us all.


Megan chills with children and tourists at the Alice in Wonderland statue.

Did you know that Megan is the rat queen?

29: Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center - woo! We visited this neighborhood in August '08.

Joining us for the walk were guest boppers, Lauren and Amber, old friends and NYC vacationers.

There was massive weirdness in from of NBC Studios. I believe we were supposed to each be a letter of "NBC," but according to this photo we failed miserably.


NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center is home to Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. You have to wait in line a ridiculously long time to get tickets to SNL, so I never did it, but I think Megan may have camped out once or twice. She is the adventurous friend.

Underground in the Concourse, Meg sought (and apparently found) inspiration in these figurines. (gag)

Rockefeller Center is famous for it's Art Deco style. One of the most prominent works is Wisdom, by Lee Lawrie (who also did the Atlas statue).


Do you remember when this guy was the face of the $1 U.S. postal stamp? Because for some reason, I do.

The Tree at Rockefeller Center is awesome and horrible. It is awesome for the obvious reasons - it is gigantic, has a bizillion lights, and ignites the spirit of Christmas in all who view it. A Christmas miracle, if you will.

It is horrible because it is a complete nightmare to go see during the holidays. This past holiday season I got stuck in a crowd of people so thick and unruly that the stroller containing my dear infant child was nearly overturned no less that three times. I think I can safely say that I'll never see the Rockefeller Center Tree in person again. And I am okay with that!
Random fact that I remember about this walk - the scrolly news ticker thing above the Today Show studio was announcing Joe Biden as Obama's running-mate that morning.

Also, we had a delicious (and healthy!) breakfast of chocolate milk and chocolate croissants.

More artwork (above the Kenneth Cole store) and awkward posing as the artwork - except that I am confused about how I am supposed to stand.
This is the inescapable advertisement for the "Top of the Rock," the most romantic destination at Rockefeller Center. If you go to the Top of the Rock, you are expected to embrace affectionately. And recieve a marriage proposal. Really! More people get engaged at Top of the Rock than any other location in NYC. Actually, I made that up.


Lauren rode every fountain/statue in the plaza.



Megan fell off of this bench and publicly embarrassed herself. Plus she got a killer bruise. It was real sad.


St. Patrick's Cathedral:
We felt only slightly awkward about walking into these strangers' wedding.

Me and the Atlas.