Julio’s Musings Around Columbia County, New York

Claverack, New York

Originally uploaded by julio.miyares

Lonely stretch of road in Claverack, New York on raw, wintry day in February. In the thick of winter here in Columbia County over 100 miles north of Times Square but a universe away. Was returning to the Miyares Farm from having brunch at the Swoon Restaurant in Hudson, New York.
Had to deal with a somewhat obnoxious waitress but the food was good and I got my revenge leaving a less then charitable tip. Though Hudson is in Columbia County which is full of very friendly country folks, the actual city of Hudson is full of New York City types which feel that being obnoxious is how to be polite. Nevertheless, the choice is Nice and McDonalds or Obnoxious and good , sometimes experimental food but always compelling.
[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares,Columbia County[/tags]

6th Avenue Skyscrapers in snow

Originally uploaded by julio.miyares

I love when it snows in New York City. This is a view of a the canyon of skyscrapers on 6th Avenue looking south from Radio City Music Hall on a recent early evening. The buildings look even more majestic then they usually do their tops disappearing into the haze produced by the falling snow.

I also like it better when the snow is substantial; like a foot or more ; though this particular snowfall was no where near that amount. Unfortunately just a few inches that barely barely slowed the rush of rush hour traffic. Watching New York City grind to a halt in the wake of a major storm is one of my favorite sights. I could have used the break that normally comes from Mother Nature capriciousness. Meetings canceled, timelines for projects extended, quiet around the office and the implicit recognition that nothing much matters or changes if things end up being late by a day or two.

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares, New York[/tags]

Subway barrelling in

Originally uploaded by julio.miyares

At a distance, barreling into the 71st Street Continental station, an F train headed West towards Manhattan during the wee hours of the morning one weekday during Christmas holidays.

Have been spending most of my time in New York City the past few months and of course that generally means making use of that unique institution which the New York City subway is. Standing room only at 5:00am, seats so narrow or people so obese they take 2 or more seats not to speak to those that use it as a private bed taking an entire half of the car
Watching the rats have a field day with the daily picking of trash on the track bed while waiting for the trains to arrive late at night.
Getting that choice spot at front of a train and being able to watch one of the most incredible engineering marvels on earth of endless tunnels coming and going , converging on multiple levels.

I think I am going to start a whole section to this blog (The Subway Series) and keep my camera handy. I will have to be discreet as you know, no eye contact on the Subway and that probably includes taking pictures of anything remotely human.

I think between the denizens and the panhandlers there should be more then enough to keep the shutter busy and they won’t know or mind.

[tags]Julio Hernandez-Miyares,Subways,New York City[/tags]