Carroll Gardens, BKLYN

Friday Night "high"lights

April 13 PM Walk

Tonight's walk was, unfortunately, the shortest and least interesting walk that the Che and I have been on in at least a week. We had early dinner reservations so a quick rectangle was all we could really muster. One would think that when trouncing through industrial Gowanus for a 30 minute walk, there wouldn't be much to see, and honestly, that's about right. But what's crazy about Brooklyn, is that if one looks hard enough, every corner, on in this case, every wall, holds a bit of history.

Chester begged me to get his picture taken in front of the oldest remaining baseball related structures in the US- left field wall of the very first home of the Brooklyn Superbas, later known as the Dodgers, Washington Park. Until I read an online NY Times article, I thought that Ebbetts field was the one and only home for the BKLYN Dodgers (read this blurb for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Park)

It is an inconspicuous a structure as you have ever seen, and unless you knew what you were looking for, you'd never even know it was there. All that's left of some semblance of the wall's previous use, are some bricked-over window openings. It now serves as a wall for a ConEd warehouse. Who woulda thunk it...

City Grit

April 12 PM Walk

Without much thought for adventure, Chester and I headed out to our "stand-by" destination of Carroll Garden's Dog Park. I think it's called DiMatta Park, but I could be wrong. At any rate, we decided to take a few streets that we don't often travel on. Since our 'hood has a ton of industrial buildings, there seem to be factories, warehouses, junkyards and processing plants around every corner. But what is interesting is how quickly this area changes from industry to residential. And not just regular residential, but brownstone residential-- million dollar residential-- right against a grimy subway track, or a toxic and heavily polluted lot. And with the population increases slated for NYC, and specifically Brooklyn, there is little doubt that that factory will soon be luxury lofts and those carcinogenic lots will be public parks. For now, they are fitting reminders of Brooklyn's once vibrant, and diminishing industry, and nice backdrops for the Che. Forgot the total mileage, but probably only 2.5 miles or so.

Ms. walksBKLYN walks BKLYN too

April 11 PM Walk

This evening, Chester and I were graced with the presence of literally hundreds of red breasted robins, as well as Ms. walksBKLYN herself. Unlike most of our walks, we made a couple of pitstops. First, at Gothic Cabinet shop for an attempt at furniture issue reslolution, and then for a toasty beverage from a neat coffee, tea and wine spot on 7th Ave. and 3rd St. (maybe?) Our usual pace was slowed somewhat as Ms. walksBKLYN is more used to walks heavy into sniffing and peeing priveleges. But the trade off was great company.

Although the weather was brisk and cloudy, signs of spring were all around us. Blossoming trees, green fields, robins, squirrels, everything seemed to be anticipating the arrival of spring. No one more than Chester, who, once he got a notion that we might be headed to the dog beach, literally dragged us to the water's edge. It is borderline addiction for Chester.

Nearly a 3 mile walk for us 3, which is like we walked 9 miles, if we pooled all of our miles together. Not too shabby...