My New York: A long walk

I haven't done one of these in a while. Today it was simply a glorious day outside with temperatures in the 70's and nothing but sunny skies. I watched the morning political shows on television and could have done some apartment cleaning and such but it seemed like a crime to stay indoors. So, I decided to do something I'd been meaning to do for a while and which I'd never done. Walk from my Jackson Heights apartment to Central Park across the Queensboro Bridge (approx. a 5 mile walk). A few of the things I saw...

If you need tires, who go anywhere else but Tires by Papi? This is actually a few blocks away from my apartment building on Broadway and on the other side of the BQE underpass. Tried to look for Papi but he didn't seem to be around.

Still on Broadway, having almost reached Northern Boulevard, I noticed a truck with a sign that read "Basurero Restaurant-Bar" (click here for image). Yes. New York City is known for being a dirty city and you should see the trash-bags pile up on the streets sometimes, but why would anyone want to eat at a restaurant called "Trashcan Restaurant-Bar?"

Next up is the New York Ham'n'Egg Eatery on Northern Boulevard which is one of those beautiful art-deco diners that seem in danger of extinction and will probably be gone within a few years. The unfortunate name defies the aluminum and neon sign that says Blue Crystal Diner (image here) which I much prefer (and someone else seems to agree).

Then it's on to parts of Astoria that have been taken over by the Brazilian community (some amazing Brazilian restaurants in the area as well) and...

Manhattan in the distance, still a ways to go.

Past the auto dealerships and Jiffy Lube auto repair shops as I neared the Queensboro Bridge, my first bear sighting!

More bear sightings to come in just a moment! In the meantime, what's a horny hetero guy to do with all the x-rated novelty shops shutting down in this city? Closeted gay guys looking for a quick fix as well, I guess (image here).

And over the bridge we go! Not as photogenic as - say - the Brooklyn Bridge. But an easy walk across it nevertheless.

Once over the bridge there was way too much traffic and too many people in the Upper East Side so I didn't take any photos until...

Voila! El Parque Central!

Which takes us to our second bear sighting of the day...

Why, isn't that blogger extraordinaire Joe.My.God? Why, yes, indeed. I realized it a bit too late to say howdy (he's on a hiatus for now).

In the meantime, I'm sure everyone knows that it's Fleet Week in New York! Which must only mean...

Marines! They seemed a bit lost but can't say that I was of much help: They were looking for military monuments throughout the park and suggestions of where to go have fun at night without having to spend an arm and a leg (I swear I might look just as tall if I had only worn my cap). They did call me 'Sir', which I thought was sorta cute. Then again I am on the verge of 40.

So a nice walk and day at the park even if it was a tad crowded...

More images from today's walk here.