Really Nice Red Hook

April 22 PM Walk
We were again blessed with a day filled with warmth and sunshine, although this day had a crisp feeling to it-- sorta like that feeling you get when you slide into a freshly made bed and its all cold and warm at the same time. That's the kind of day it was-- clear, with a gentle breeze and but the comforting sun on our cheeks.
We decided to head out to Red Hook once again for an evening 4 miler. The impending dusk was just the right temperature for Chester as he tends to get considerably uncomfortable when the temperature gets above 80 degrees. We checked on the progress of the IKEA building near the Red Hook Recreation Area. Unless one could piece together the blue plywood surrounding the job site with the famous blue and yellow of IKEA, you'd think that this was just another condo development (except this one is a really, really large creation). The piers at the end of Van Brundt street offered some terrific views of the Statue of Liberty and the setting sun. And having had a high calorie night last night, 4 miles was a nice little trek.

Red Hook, BKLYN

Red Hook, BKLYN (and lady liberty)

Old Brooklyn Street cars, Red Hook Fairway Supermarket, BKLYN

Talk your kids to the park Saturday

April 21 PM walk
Today was the absolute first day of the spring/ summer continuum, where there was nothing but abundant warmth and sunshine all around us. And after such a thorough soaking this past week, the change from cold and wet to blue skies and sun was a stark contrast.
Chester decided he wanted to visit the dog beach in Prospect park so we headed up to the urban oasis. I unfortunately had to be the bearer of bad news for him as we are under strict instructions from Chester's vet not so swim anymore in the stagnant and parasite infested waters of Prospect Park. So instead, we wandered around the park, smelling the flowers, and checking out all the kids, adults and other dogs who were either basking in the sun, playing soccer, baseball, or Frisbee, or enjoying an afternoon BBQ. It has been such a blessing to have such a gorgeous place for recreation, literally steps (albeit big, long steps, but steps nonetheless) from our door. Ah spring time.....

Prospect Park, BKLYN

Street Art vs. Grafitti

April 20 PM Walk
When you combine a sparse population with lots of vacant wall space and plenty of artist's lofts, there tends to be a lot of graffiti. But not all graffiti is graffiti-- some has got to be defined as public art. Far too much time and intent goes into these projects-- with the artist knowing all too well that the project may be stripped from the walls the next day, may be sandblasted to oblivion, or may never be seen by anyone else but the artist, and maybe a dog walker. Chester and I ventured to our normal spot, the dog park in Carroll Gardens for some dog time. But along the way, we wandered down Bond St. and came across some pretty neat art. Chester insisted that he pose in front of the naked girl. Who was I to argue with a 114 lb. dog with inch long canines?!

Spring has finally Sprung! 4th Pl., Carroll Gardens, BKLYN

Chester's favorite. Bond St., Gowanus, BKLYN

Can you spot the art installation? (Hint, it's not black and brown with a red collar).

Ramblin' through Red Hook

April 19 PM Walk
In commemoration of Sludgie, the Baleen whale who unfortunately wandered into the Gowanus Bay and never made it out, Chester decided he might like to see the area where Sludgie spent her final few hours. While the nation mourned the tragedy in Lynchburg, seeing a whale in Brooklyn was a welcome distraction. It is sad that she never made it back to her pod.
Relics of Gowanus' role in old industrial Brooklyn were all around us as we wandered through the Red Hook Recreation area and down the public waterfront on Columbia Street. Several old, steel-shuttered warehouses, graving docks, dry docks, propeller repair facilities, and industrial-looking buildings lined the waterfront before we got to the open public area. But once we arrived splendid views of Park Slope, Sunset Park and Green-Wood Cemetery were on display. Catching south Brooklyn at sunset was a dazzling site, and a fitting way to say good-bye- wish you could have made it back to your family.