Brooklyn Botanical Garden

To get to this absolutely beautiful spot.... the subway is really perfect... either the #2 or #3 leave you very close to an entrance....  Senior admission is only $5.... quite a bargain.... and we had it almost to ourselves for our whole visit....

Gorgeous orchid display at the entrance....

The Japanese Garden is quite impressive...... 

Lily ponds... cactus gardens..... BEAUTIFUL!

Coney Island.....

The warm weather continued today so we headed to Coney Island.... It took 2 subways and around an hour, but we were not interested in moving the car from its on the street location.... Not everything was operational.... so no Cyclone ride for us.... but we had a walk on the boardwalk, a stroll in the sand and a partial dip in the ocean....and, of course, we finished with a Nathan's hot dog lunch on the boardwalk.....

These 2 photos were taken from a pier that was rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy... it included some shaded benches and fish cleaning stations.....quite well used.... we particularly enjoyed the Cuban gentlemen at the furthest point of the pier with their wonderful music playing as they fished....

East River Ferry

Just a short walk from the apartment in Greenpoint is the East River Ferry.  We decided that would be the perfect late afternoon activity.... and it was.  Because it was midweek it was $4 each way for each of us... From here we headed south to 3 other stops in Brooklyn.... including right at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge where we had spent time on the last trip.... In between the scenery was amazing and since we arrived on the HOTTEST day on record for this summer.... it was about the only outdoor activity we could have considered!

This is the photo of the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.  When we were here 2 years ago we went to a concert on the Barge and enjoyed the park that you can see on the lower right (it goes on quite a way).  But, the building under construction is NEW and just shows how the area on the Brooklyn waterfront is changing. 

Different day.... same ferry ride.....

Staten Island Visit......

My recollections of Staten Island from growing up in New Jersey only include a zoo so I figured it might be time to actually stop there on my way to Brooklyn.  I had not been encouraged to do so by my cousin, Joe, but the traffic was ridiculous to the Verrazano Bridge.  Since I was just sitting anyway, I decided to check it out.... 

He was basically right, but the area called Snug Harbor which currently houses lots of arts buildings (classes in music and arts, museum, performance space) is in what was formerly a retirement area for seamen.  Saved by preservationists, it has some lovely locations.  The art museum is only open Thursdays through Sundays so I was out of luck there.... the history museum is under construction.... and the Scholar Garden was closed on Tuesday...... The good news is, by the time I finished wandering through the greenhouse and grounds the traffic was MUCH improved!  

The OTHER Jersey Shore

First stop.... Brigantine, New Jersey...... Ever since "that" Jersey Shore television program showed up on television, those of us who LOVE the Jersey Shore have felt defensive about the shore that we know.... so here are a few photos to show you that it is incredibly beautiful and diverse.... 

It was especially sad to be there for part of Labor Day weekend, however, as 2 of the casinos in Atlantic City (right across the water from my aunt and uncle) closed down..... Showboat and Revel.  Hope the rest of the casinos can take on many of the employees.... the news said that even though it was only 3 casinos (Trump closes in 2 weeks) that 25% of the casino workforce is now unemployed. 

Next stop... Belmar..... another great shore town.... 

So many great memories associated with Belmar...... These murals are near the train station in the middle of town.... 

I love this.... the miniature golf course in Bradley Beach has named their boat after Hurricane Sandy... one of the shore  towns that did a great job with a "dune" protection system that helped them survive Sandy a little better than other locations.... 

On to Ocean Grove.... Victorian homes, tent homes, the Great Auditorium.... quite an interesting town.....

Asbury Park...... The Stone Pony, huge beaches, the Convention Center, Swan Boats..... 

By this time.... it was ALMOST time to head to the parkway and on to Brooklyn, but just a few more sights that are also New Jersey..... my home state is NOT all refineries by the Turnpike and strangely coiffed people with bad accents.....