Hike #163
The Gates, Central Park
2/27/5
For my next hike, I would lead another unconnected section. A few weeks before, Cathy and I walked around Manhattan’s Central Park to visit the Gates of Christo and Jean Claude, two world famous artists known for their strange displays such as opening hundreds of umbrellas in one place, a fifteen mile sheet in California, and wrapping buildings and such with material. The Gates as they were called were large orange rectangular stands with orange sheets hanging from them covering almost all of the main paths through Central Park. We wandered a bit through them with the idea of coming back and posting a regular hike.
The Gates, Central Park
Starting out at NY Penn Station
Imagine Obelisk at Strawberry Fields, Central Park
Onassis Reservoir, NY Central Park
Central Park
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Though it was an unconnected section, I knew I would eventually get here, and the Gates were such a big deal I knew we’d never have an opportunity like this again. We planned on meeting up at the Dover Train Station in NJ. Eric Pace rode with Cathy and I there, where we met Terry Berntsen. I was worried that we’d miss the train, but of course we did’nt. We bought our tickets in the station and walked back and forth a bit on the platform, and did some waiting in the station. By the time the train arrived, there were huge crowds of people waiting. We boarded the train, and I was constantly looking out the window for historical remnants of other railroads and trolley lines. There was a guy sitting behind us who was also a big rail fan, and he passed on lots more history. We chatted for a good deal of the ride, while Cathy chatted with Terry. We got off the train at Penn Station and made our way up stairs and through gates to a NJ Transit waiting area where we were to meet the rest of the group. The other two participants were {name unknown}, {name unknown}, and Susan Percal. We wandered around Penn Station a bit looking for hikers that might be in the wrong place, but found no one else, so we walked up to the street. In NYC, I really did’nt really know where we were going, as I was totally unfamiliar with it. We walked out of the building, and made our way around a few blocks toward one of the northbound streets. I believe we were on Broadway for some time before finally getting to Times Square. I was thrilled to be doing a hike there. We continued north, though I think we followed due north, as Broadway turns a bit northwest. We continued north to Central Park, making our way in the southwest corner and up along many paths sorrounded by the tall orange gates. We followed paths close to the road, soon making our way out to Central Park West in time to get to the Dakota, formerly the home of John Lennon. Being probably the biggest Beatles fan ever, it was a big deal visiting where Lennon was shot. A guard stood on duty at the entrance where it happened. We all stopped for a moment before we continued on. I remember this being a bigger deal for me to visit than most any other national landmark I had seen. We headed back into Central Park to Strawberry Fields, a section of the park set aside as a John Lennon memorial. We stopped at the circular design in the center of the area upon which is written “IMAGINE”. This was my second time visiting this spot, and it is amazing how people put candles and flowers on the spot every day. We made our way for the most part around the western side of Central Park through the seemingly countless gates, passing the large resevoir in the middle of the park, and small lakes. Everyone was getting hungrly after a bit, so we had to make our way back to Central Park west to find food.
Central Park Gates
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Onassis Reservoir, Central Park
Onassis Reservoir, Central Park
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
We walked a few blocks, but could’nt find anything, so we decided to head a few blocks west looking for little delis. After heading in a bit, we saw a deli just to the south, so we stopped for lunch. After taking some time out here, we headed south to the next eastbound street back to Central Park. We continued into the park, and Susan Percal decided to call a taxi and cut out. We even climbed up into the little castle in the park. We weaved in and out around the paths, still keeping more or less on the west side of the park until reaching the more wooded northern section where the gates seemed to end. Cathy did’nt want to head north because that part of Central Park butts up to Harlem, which she said was bad. So we did’nt go there, and instead followed the top of a little hill with nice views of the gates below. There, we met one of the maintainers of the Gates who talked to us for a while, and then gave each of us a small piece of the material from the gates! Before we said goodbye, the woman asked us if we saw a car parked below. It was clear that it was the only car within site, as the park was closed to such vehicles. She then told us the artists were in that car! We immediately headed downhill toward the car, and sure enough, there was Jean Claude standing alongside the car smoking a cigarette!
Jean Claud getting into her car.
Central Park
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Central Park during the Gates of Christo and Jean Claud
Here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a guy sunbathed using the reflective windows for heat.
Manhattan is amazing; the buildings are able to stand so strongly, as Manhattan has such a good surface. Previously, I had never thought of Manhattan as a rocky area, and thought all rocks in Central Park were brought in for aesthetics purposes. Rock outcoppings were everywhere in Central Park.
We walked by what I believe was the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and there was a homeless guy wearing only a pair of shorts in a window covered inlet corner of the building, which must have reflected heat from the light onto him! Continueing south, we made our way west through a zoo section, though we did’nt see any animals, and past a pond with a visitor’s center where maps and such were available. We hung our for a bit, and everyone waited on long lines for bathrooms. We finally got through with Central Park, and headed out to 5th Avenue, which was considered a Ritzy place. We walked Fifth Avenue south, soon reaching Trump Tower! Donald Trumps’s television show “The Apprentice” was at the height of it’s fame at the time, and the corridoor in the front with all the marble railings and floors and such was a must see. We went inside and recognized it from TV. We walked through to where a bunch of sculpture things were on display, then headed back out to 5th Avenue. Another landmark we passed was the New York Public Library, though we did’nt go in. I don’t remember if we ate at all on the way back, but I don’t think so. We continued back down to Penn Station, getting a bit lost on the way in. We finally found where we needed to be, though I think we lost Eric briefly and I had to run back to look for him. We went into a food place somewhere in there, and I don’t think I got anything but a beer, which I brought on the train home with me. On the train, we met my old friend, Lauren Dymyd who was on my brain bowl academics team in High School. She sat with us and we chatted for a while until she got off at her station stop. We continued to Dover, as I sipped my beer on the train, feeling like I was being a bit rebellious. Eric could’nt believe I was drinking beer on the train. Quite an interesting day.
Apparently it's legal to drink on the trains...or at least it was...leaving NYC. If it's not no one ever noticed or even cared.
This is an actual piece of one of the gates that was given to me by one of the people working for Christo and Jean Claud. I'm not sure if it still exists, but I scanned this from the actual piece.
Phoptography was all with my Canon Sure Shot Owl, as my Minolta was definitely out of the question when walking in the city. I would’nt begin using my digital until the next hike.
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