88th (e) / 87th

4.48 miles

the first walk with a friend! few words today because the words, the thoughts, were said aloud in the moment of the walking. a crisp autumn day— fall in new york, what a dream.

only fully walked 87th, but also bits of 88th and 81st and 80th. deep in the upper east side, a truly different world, all the way to a very charming park overlooking the east river. you can see both roosevelt island and queens from here, as well as at least five bridges: robert f. kennedy part 1, robert f. kennedy part 2, hell gate bridge (quite heavenly a sight), roosevelt island bridge, ed koch queensboro bridge. i always like when a walk takes me to both of the rivers that neighbor the island… even if it’s really all the same water.

the sights: old, liberal couples walking their posh dogs, discussing politics and fundraisers; wool coats and fancy trousers, scarves; doctor’s and dentists’s and orthodontist’s offices (you can tell you are in the ues); birthday parties engagement parties more parties lots of parties in central park, a little close for comfort; elegant uws brownstones in muted blues and purples and creams; churches! always so many different kinds of churches; halloween decorations (ugly); a string quartet in riverside (beautiful); the reservoir; vermillion and crimson leaves, though not as many as expected; outdoor restaurant brunches and lunners and everything in between; strangers taking in this perfect saturday afternoon.

in case you have forgotten what i look like.