George Washington Bridge Overlook

With the team meetings at the office ended around 12:30p and not having to be back at Newark for my outbound flight until 5:30p, I went looking for someplace scenic for a picnic (and to catch up on the email). Found the overlook at Fort Lee Historic Park just before the George Washington Bridge tollbooths.

The George Washington Bridge from the Fort Lee Historic Park overlook. A light rain was falling off and on for most of the picnic, obscuring much of the view. The Jeffery's Hook Light (aka Little Red Lighthouse) also sits in the shadow of the eastern bridge pier.

Noise from the bridge traffic echoed up and somewhat tainted the experience

Clouds broke after a half an hour and made for some better views. The Jeffery's Hook Light (aka Little Red Lighthouse) is also now far more visible at the bottom center.

Still noisy though

View of the bridge through the Park's oak trees

Relocated a mile or so up the Hudson River shoreline to Allison Park as so I could attend a quick customer conference call without the bridge roadnoise.

Historical marker reads:
"Allison Park
The trustees under the will of William Outis Allison have developed this park to carry out his expressed purpose to please almighty God and benefit his fellow men. This park near which Mr. Allison was born and spent his entire life will be thus maintained in perpetuity.
1849-1924"

View of the George Washington Bridge from Allison Park. The Manhattan skyline is also (somewhat) visible in the distance.

Closer view of the Bridge and the Manhattan skyline

Looking NE from the park overlook towards Yonkers and the Harlem River

Looking east from the Park towards Washington Heights

NY2006 -- Skyline at Night

Finally did figure out how to get to the top of 30 Rock.

At street level, it was 30 degrees w/ a light wind. At 70+ floors up, it was 30 degrees and like having the windows open while driving down the interstate. . .

The Empire State Building, with the city and landing airplanes in the background. . .

. . .of the rest of New York City skyline. . .

. . . blue backlist towers at the top of the windblown 30 Rock.

NY2006 -- Rockefeller Center Decked out for the Holidays

It was a very crowded night at Rockefeller Center, but i managed to push my way to the front to get a few pics of the iconic decorations. . . (More at: http://www.christoperj.com/2006/12/ph-ls-ny-rockefeller-center-decked-out.html)

The Christmas Tree over the ice skating rink. . .

. . .the Prometheus statue beneith the Christmas Tree. . .

. . .This is actually the Saks building across the street from Rockefeller Center, but i thought it looked cool.

NY2006 -- Random Run-in with Keith Olbermann

On the way through the door to 30 Rock, i see Keith Olbermann walking out the other.
After shaking off the "what the hell, was that?!?" -- i think to myself that i shouldnt be that idiot who when they see a celeb they throw away both tact & shame as they run & tackle their target in ways that call for both restraining orders & weaponry. And then I realize I had a camera. So I do a quick 180.

And that was just about the moment in time that I went in to stupid fan mode, talking like I needed meds or a refresher hooked-on-phonics course.

That aside, he smiled and was very polite about the whole thing. Little standoffish, but far less than im sure I would be if somebody random came up to me on the street. I asked him if he minded if I took a pic, and he said sure w/o hesitation. Thus the 'sticking the camera out at the end of the arm and pointing it back trying to get everybody in frame’. . .

NY2006 -- Radio City Music Hall Decked out for the Holidays

Some more random pics of my random trek through the city -- this time when i came across Radio City Music Hall. . .

From the front. . .

. . .across the street in front of the News Corp building.

NY2006 -- Times Square at Night

Times Square pics from my random walk on the last night in NY City. . .

The north end of Times Square. . .

. . .the south side of Times Square, where the New Years Eve ball drops. ABC Studios are on the left. . .

. . .the Lowes Theater and Virgin Megastore in Times Square.