floodsBKLYN

April 16 PM Walk
A break in the weather allowed unobstructed walking for the Che and I. But an informal condo meeting in the hallway of our building after several weather related issues made themselves known, the viewing of a 72-hour-old new-neighbor baby, and a John Lindlay concert at the world famous Blue Note, preempted our walk. But with that said, we were able to check out the mighty Gowanus Canal post soaking. The mighty G was about 1.5 feet from overflowing it's banks around Carroll Street. Boats that are docked in the water were precariously balanced between just making it, and maybe being land bound. We looked for evidence of any of the "legendary raw sewage" (AKA poo canoes) that is supposed enter the canal after a complete soaking, but were disappointed. We really just trekked to poo and rolled back home. A bit less than a 2 miler today, but certain to be made up once the weather clears.

Che and the Big G, Brooklyn

The Mighty Mighty, mighty close to it's banks.

Sunday, Not My "Fun" day

April 15 PM Walk
With the Northeast experiencing a nor'easter, Sunday AM walking consisted of Ms. walksBKLYN taking the Che to JJ Byrne dog park for a couple of poos, in torrential downpours and 25 mph winds. Luckily, the rain eased up enough, once evening arrived, that the Che and I could go out without getting completely drenched. Unfortunately, once we made it to the halfway point, the heavens poured right on our heads.
We did, however, get to see some of the less desirable parts of South Brooklyn, from 9th st., down to 30th street, while on 3rd Ave. Most of the walk has us in the shadow of the elevated Gowanus expressway, which often makes me wonder just how many carcinogens hover around that area. We did get to see a two 24-hour "video" shops, several auto body shops, and some fantastic graffiti (see below). 2.5 miles, but it seemed like an eternity because of the monsoon.

3rd Ave and 24th St, Brooklyn

not so super Saturday

April 14 PM Walk
The good thing about Brooklyn, particularly living in Gowanus are that amenities that are so near, without being right in your 'hood. I mean, I'm all for a cool bar right on 3rd avenue. but with Park Slope just a quick jaunt away, I just haven't found good enough reason to have those things that are so unique to Park Slope, in Gowanus. One has to walk, but only a few blocks, in order to enjoy those things that are specifically Park Slope-- here's to property value!
One of the benefits of living near Park Slope's civic activism, has been the creation of dog parks. One of which, J.J.Byrne's is long enough, less inhabited enough and close enough, that we have become regular visitors. Because of a Jell-o wrestling party that we were in deep commitment to, all that the Che got were 2 quick treks to J.J. Byrne. Don't be fooled, there were plenty of scents to activate the Che's old olfactory senses. So even though a simple walk to JJ Byrne didn't burn too many calories, he was stimulated enough to piss something ike 16 times.

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...