Vancouver Art Gallery offers stunning Canadian works, hands on fun

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

The work of Emily Carr, a well known Canadian artist, is on display in a lovely space. 

NATIVE ART, ASIAN IMAGERY, VISITOR INVOLVEMENT ARE HIGHLIGHTS AT ONE OF CANADA'S FINEST MUSEUMS

Above, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" 

Meyers pose in the imaginative museum.

 LIKE CANADA itself, the Vancouver Art Gallery is vast, varied and unique.

The Gallery (VAG), has a long history, and is proudly approaching its centennial.

Established in 1931, it is western Canada's largest public art museum and features an impressive collection of over 12,000 works by local, national, and international artists. 

IT LOOKS LIKE a government building -- with its imposing facade and ornate architecture. That's because it was a Vancouver's provincial courthouse for many years. The gallery is a repurposed, attractive adaptation of one of many 19th-century buildings in downtown Vancouver.

As befitting the city's population (nearly 40 per cent Chinese, Filipino and Southeast Asian), the gallery places special emphasis on art from the those and other Asia Pacific regions and honors indigenous artists as well.

                               The John David Lawrence Collection is one man's impressive 

and varied collection of ceramics created in British Columbia.

WE SPENT an engaging afternoon in the gallery, admiring each of the nicely curated exhibitions.  Coming from a family of ceramists, I was particularly enchanted by "Written in Clay:  From the John David Lawrence Collection."  It presents a history of ceramics created in British Columbia, told through the eyes of Lawrence.  His finely crafted show represents years of collecting unique pottery -- from friends, aspiring artists and well known ceramists. The artistic friendships, shared histories and local legacies make an intriguing show and represent decades of collecting by the Vermont born, musically immersed Lawrence. He lived in San Francisco, studied at Boston University's  School of Fine Arts and has many U.S. connections as well as a legacy of Canadian associations.

The nature inspired work of Emily Carr pays homage to days
 of long ago and the people who lived and worked in Alaska.

 ANOTHER OF the eye-catching exhibits features the work of well known Canadian artist Emily Carr.  Her nature images -- sometimes haunting, always provocative -- and she drew many of her ideas from  the monumental art and villages of the First Nations and the landscapes of British Columbia. The show attracted a large group of college art students the afternoon we visited. Most were studying the paintings intently, referring to Carr's extensive journals about art, nature and humanity.  She was a shrewd observer both in print and on canvas.

                                      Cookie tries watercolor in the gallery's large hands-on studio.

                 

Colorful sculpture inspired by native imagery caught
the eye of Bruce Keller. It is one of many intriguing pieces.

                                         Click here for info & tickets

Brooklyn Rider closed the season at Tippet Rise Art Center near Fishtail, Montana. Here, they
perform an encore concert in the center's library, after a formal concert in the Olivier Barn. 

UP NEXT: Our new website will debut soon, and we're excited.  Meanwhile, please be patient with us during this complicated transition and the transferring of 13 years of stories and thousands of photos.  It has been daunting for us and we ask your indulgence. Next week, we feature another world class venue, Montana's own Tippet Rise Art Center, which is gaining international attention for its unique combining of art, music and nature. The Center has added a few October concerts and is extending its touring options. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on 

 

 

Alaska's Native Heritage Center offers eye opening look at colorful indigenous life

The settting for Alaska's Native Heritage Center is serene and beautiful, showing how
indigenous people lived, worked, played games, hunted, fished and survived in harsh climates.   

ALASKA HERITAGE CENTER CONNECTS VISITORS WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

WE HAVE visited Alaska many times, but never have we felt so awed and fascinated by the culture as we were this most recent trip.

That's because we spent an eye-opening day at the fabulous Alaska Native Heritage Center near Anchorage.

Games continue to be part of native culture, as demonstrated each day in
a welcoming auditorium, where lectures and dances are also held.

WHAT A SPLENDID place. It gave us a unique, memorable and moving look at Alaskan native life in a format we'd never experienced.

Its focus is largely devoted to explaining the rich culture of indigenous people. We entered a large hall and gallery space to be directed to a large, open auditorium.

Intricate beadwork adorns these
moccasins, as dancers perform.
There we watched young people prepare to dance and play games. It was a live performance -- fascinating and beautifully executed.

We spent a lovely day, listening to stories, meeting carvers, and asking\artists questions about their crafts. The setting is so small and intimate that visitors sometimes feel the urge to join in the dancing or learn a game. A couple sitting near us took to the stage to dance.

This young man described how his ancestors
survived in winter, demonstrating skis and
hunting equipment. Furs were tanned and
used for clothing and shelter. 

AS MUSEUM and culture buffs, we have been to many facilities, admiring painting, pottery, crafts and handiwork. We were in for a treat here, with an array of buildings holding meticulous work: intricate moose hide boots, beautifully woven birch bark baskets, seal hide tunics, detailed jewelry.

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce
Keller are framed by whale bones
during a hike around the large facility.

WE STROLLED a half-mile loop to enter and admire life-sized traditional native dwellings to see the richness and diversity of Alaska's native cultures. One of the most interesting buildings was a southeast Alaska longhouse—large wooden constructions with no windows and only a smoke hole at the top. Our guide said they generally housed several families. Inside, we admired four beautifully carved posts that each represent a different culture. Each post is carved and painted with themes showing respect for the individual, family, the land and sea. All of these are revered by the culture.

Flowers surround many of the buildings one enters on a
hike around the grounds, and the outdoor cafe area
is an eye-popping extravaganza of blooms.

Much of Alaskan life of long ago revolved around the seasons and nature. We discovered this theme is still part of Alaskan life. Plants and trees are respected and it was wonderful to see that love carried over and expressed in the visual arts as well as in the casual lectures at each structure. The pride and precision we encountered in the docents' commentaries on our hike was equal to the honorable way the gamesmen and dancers performed. All very moving experience for us.

The Anchorage Trolley is a wonderful way to see the city.
Our Hilton Anchorage hotel was just a block away and
offered a free shuttle to the Alaska Native  Heritage Center.

THE CENTER is launching a $25 million fund-raising campaign to expand its facilities and reach.  We bought lovely souvenirs created by Alaska Native Artists at Ch'k'iqadi Gallery and had a tasty bite for lunch -- delicious sandwiches and pastry -- at D’eshchin Café.

More information: alaska.org/detail/alaska-native-heritage-center

anchoragetrolley.com/

Vancouver Art Gallery is one of Canada's finest museums,
housing an impressive collection of regional artists' work.
It is one of the city's many artfully repurposed buildings.

UP NEXT: We leave Anchorage with its wonderful trolley, its wilderness setting, its fabulous heritage center and more, and head south to Vancouver for a two-part series on this exciting city.  First, we visit Vancouver Art Gallery, known for its works by regional artists and its hands on involvement of visitors.  The city's Museum of Anthropology houses preeminent First Nations collections. And Big Bus Vancouver takes visitors around the city, and through its neighborhoods and beautiful Stanley Park, larger than Central Park of New York.  Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts. 

Alaska Railroad features close-up views of nature's magnificence

A journey on Alaska Railroad offers ringside seats to striking landscape and a pleasant experience
in comfortable seats, with dining options from full meals to snacks among ever changing views.  

 

RIDING THE RAILS ALASKA STYLE MEANS COMFORT AS WELL AS BEAUTY

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

Views from your coach are spectacular
because Alaska Railroad cars hug the scenery.

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

PICTURE YOURSELF relaxing in a comfy train car, beverage of choice in hand, watching the world's most spectacular scenery glide by.

You've got a front-row sea to nature's wonders with a spectacular adventure on Alaska Railroad.

The popular rail offers a variety of day trip adventures to some of the state's iconic sights -- from snow-capped mountains to picturesque villages and the ever changing landscape of the sea.

Conductor Wanda Robinson has been with the
company 30 years. Here she greets "Keller and Cookie."

WE BEGAN our adventure in Anchorage, after a relaxing week exploring this lively corner of the state.  Our destination was Seward, 114 miles or about 4.5 leisurely train hours away.  

A PEACEFUL yet exciting ride is guaranteed from Anchorage and many other cities because the train routes assure passengers are surrounded by inspiring scenery at every turn. Cheerful attendants welcome  passengers and make sure they are comfortable. They offer complimentary literature on the colorful history of the railroad. Announcements are made to remind where one may enjoy a leisurely meal or grab a light snack during the trip.

Train passengers boarding in Anchorage have breakfast on the
train, arriving in Seward after a lovely trip in time for lunch. 

A VARIETY of routes offer enticing options to choose from. National Geographic Traveler ranked our route among the Top Ten Train Rides in North America. Routes feature wildlife and quaint, historic towns, so there are plenty of options. We arose early to board our train in Anchorage and were off by 6:45 a.m. to wind along beautiful Turnagain Arm.  We traveled past snowy peaks of Chugach Range as the sea churned below, then emerged into verdant wilderness. The variety of landscape was striking. We arrived late morning in Seward, in time for lunch, checked our bags at the hotel and were off to explore a sea life center. 

Near the Anchorage train station, a young
 fisherman shows off his morning catch
 in Anchorage, caught from a city bridge.

THE OPERATION has depots in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Girdwood, Portage, Seward, Talkeetna, Wasilla and Whittier. First, find the location that most interests you and go from there. Many of the journeys are designed for cruise travelers because savvy sea lovers often complement their cruise with a rail trip as we did before boarding our ship for an Inside Passage trip to Vancouver.

It's a marvelous state -- best savored when someone else is doing the driving. Alaska by rail is tops!

 

Watching the tracks from the caboose
is a pleasant option as passengers are
free to explore around the cars.

 More on train travel in Alaska, click here

AlaskaRailroad.com; 800 544-0552; 907 265-2494

The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers live performance,
and a walk through history with indigenous homes and art. 

UP NEXT: Alaska offers colorful history in a variety of cities and towns, with something for everyone -- from the Northern Lights to trolley tours, salmon lore, fascinating cultural museums detailing life among the indigenous people. If you're in Anchorage, here's a "don't miss." A visit to Alaska Native Heritage Center offers a treasure trove of folklore, crafts and history, plus live performances of traditional dance and games. You'll likely see salmon and bears in your Alaska travels and you may meet a sled dog and hear about the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race. Meanwhile, explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more. Please share the links of stories that interest you: www.whereiscookie.com

 

 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents lively bard works and more

The curtain is about to go up, for an innovative spin on "The Importance of Being Earnest."
The Oscar Wilde classic is set in the Malay Peninsula, with sharp direction and a crack cast.  

FESTIVAL'S 90th SEASON IS INVENTIVE  MIX OF THOUGHT PROVOKING WORKS 

KUDOS FOR ACTORS, DIRECTORS, SETS, COSTUMES, LIGHTING AND A DARING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR  

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

AKA "The Carpe Diem Kids"

thanks to OSF and Abbey Theatre for photos

Tim Bond is OSF's seventh artistic director, a
creative and thoughtful man who champions
the original. He guides a gifted company
in the festival's remarkable 90th season. 

WHEN ANGUS Bowmer dreamed of a festival to honor theater and the works of William Shakespeare, the clever Scotsman had only a shoe string budget. But his ideas were larger than life.

The Allen Elizabethan Theatre grounds post-performance.
The crowds are gone; energy, enthusiasm, appreciation remain.

Ninety years later, voila: the Tony winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Located in southern Oregon in the mid-sized town of Ashland, "The Festival,'' as locals call it, draws its company and audiences from across the United States. Its reach extends into Europe, Canada and beyond.  We sat next to a couple from Mexico City at one performance. The festival's $37 million budget is a far cry from proceeds of boxing matches which funded the festival early years.

Actors Herbert Siguenza and Raul Cardona create
magic in a modern, moving spin on Cervantes'
"Don Quixote." The work is "Quixote Nuevo"
by playwright Octavio Solis, directed with
passion and imagination by Lisa Portes. 

WE ARE regulars at this magnificent three-theater creation. (Four venues if one counts the outdoor "Green Room" with pre-show entertainment from dance to jazz and play cuttings.) We've endowed seats, taken back stage tours, enjoyed lectures, rose from our seats in countless standing ovations, and spread the word internationally with our musings and photos. Since childhood, I've missed only two years at this gem. We've seen the festival through highs and lows: a well deserved Tony Award for best regional theater, budget cuts, staffing shake-ups, COVID woes and seven artistic directors.

Kate Wisniewski plays the title role in "Julius Caesar,"
OSF's electrifying all-female production of the classic.
It puts a contemporary spin on the 1599 work which
featured all males, as was the tradition of the times.  

We've applauded productions sunshine and rain, smog and forest fire smoke. We've shed layers in sweltering heat at the venerable Black Swan (now used for costumes, rehearsals and meetings). We've bundled up in the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre where one chilly long ago autumn, we watched in rain as "Macbeth" actors entered in garbage bags to protect their Elizabethan costumes from the fierce storm.  As rain ceased, actors returned to the stage, sans garbage bags. It was a magical moist evening.

THIS YEAR'S docket is the best we've seen in a decade:  varied, lively, brilliantly acted, artfully staged perceptively directed. Sets, costumes and lighting equal any we've seen on Broadway or London's West End. Such success starts at the top, so festival artistic director Tim Bond and his key players deserve enthusiastic kudos. The 2026 season looks fabulous, too, with OSF's trademark spanning of centuries, genres and voices -- from "The Taming of the Shrew" to "A Raisin in the Sun," the Tony winning "Come From Away," plus riveting new work and fresh adaptations. 

"Come From Away" will perform at OSF in the 2026
 season, a heartwarming story of a small town in Newfoundland
 which welcomed stranded passengers in after the 9/11 attacks. 

Bond has a genius for spicing his seasons with works both timely and compelling. He doesn't slight purists, but he stretches, too, inviting audiences to consider new, fresh points of view. This season's highlights: "Quixote Nuevo," a wonderful spin on Cervantes' "Don Quixote"; a spot-on production of Oscar Wilde's a flawless "The Importance of Being Earnest" and a captivating all-female "Julius Caesar." An enthralling "Shane" features the gifted Chris Butler in a contemporary interpretation of the beloved 1953 film. One of my favorite Sondheim musicals, "Into the Woods," is stunning. "As You Like It" is delightfully fast paced, joyous and funny. There's not a clunker in the docket which runs through Oct. 25. 

Colorful costumes set the tone for a splashy,
fast-paced "As You Like It" in Thomas Theatre.

EACH OF TODAY'S trio of OSF theaters resides in a special corner of my heart.  I came of age watching Shakespeare in the Elizabethan. I endowed three seats in the beloved Bowmer. I knew the gentle spirit after whom the Thomas Theatre is named. It replaced the smaller Black Swan, long a family favorite, and carries on the same spirit of pioneering daring in its presentations. Witness a fabulous "As You Like It" with its gender bending plot and costumes to knock your socks off. 

Bruce Keller & Christene "Cookie" 
Meyers outside a converted Baptist
Church, for 40 years the popular
Oregon Cabaret Theatre venue.

DON'T MISS another first-rate theatrical endeavor in Ashland.  Oregon Cabaret Theatre is just across the street from OSF in an artfully converted church. Now in its 40th season, it offers a lively range of works. We've seen polished mysteries, comedy and classic musicals, including "Sweeney Todd," and "Kinky Boots." We recommend it for its cozy venue (we like the balcony tables), delicious appetizers, tasty brunches and unique dinner offerings, offered with jazzy, theater inspired cocktails.

 It's a pleasing, energetic complement to OSF. 

Ashland offers dozens of restaurant and lodging options for your visit. Our favorite places to stay -- enjoyed for decades -- are the elegant Ashland Springs Hotel, smack in town center, steps from the theaters, and Ashland Hills, in a wooded area with a pool, blackberry bushes and occasional deer.  It's a convenient ride away.

Artful Ashland Springs Hotel stands graceful sentinel 
in downtown Ashland, steps from the world famous festival. 

www.osfashland.org or 800 219-8161
www.AshlandSpringsHotel.com or 541-488-1700; 885 795-4545

www.AshlandHillsHotel.com 541 482-8310 

www.oregoncabaret.com 541 488-2902  

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers are escorted on board by gracious
 conductor Wanda Robinson of the gorgeous Anchorage-Seward route.

UP NEXT: See Alaska's wonders by rail. Picture yourself in a comfy train car, watching the wonders of Alaska unfold outside. We recently stepped aboard a lovely train to take us from Anchorage to Seward. The wonders of Alaska were right out the window as we traveled several hours past gorgeous alpine scenery and the sea. Established in 1903 and completed in 1923, the Alaska Railroad is an iconic part of any Alaskan adventure. This historic route was the only land connector of Anchorage to Fairbanks until 1971. We'll take readers along for a ringside view of spectacular Alaskan landscape. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, famiy and more. Please share the links at: www.whereiscookie.com

  

As Labor Day approaches, time to visit your nearest national park

 

This scenic turn-out in Glacier National Park made an ideal picnic spot when we visited, just before colors began
 to change. Bring layers when you visit our parks this time of year for warm days and cool evenings.

NOW'S THE PERFECT TIME AS AUTUMN APPROACHES TO ENJOY OUR
NATIONAL PARKS

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

OUR SUMMER always winds down with visits to Yellowstone National Park, which we are lucky enough to have within easy driving distance. Glacier and Teton parks are a bit further from home, but we try to visit them both at least once a year.

But the fall Yellowstone trek is a favorite tradition. We love this trip, which we plan after Labor Day weekend, to avoid crowds and take advantage of cooler temperatures, wildlife on the move and changing scenery as fall colors cloak the hillsides and valleys.

Aspen cloak the valleys of Grand Teton National
Park, which many people visit in tandem with
a trip through Yellowstone National Park.

OUR NATIONAL parks have something for everyone so it is possible to plan a specific theme of fall fun, whether bird watching, biking, critter spotting or family oriented hiking and photo taking treks.

There are bison and bears in Yellowstone, mountain goats in Glacier, mule deer and elk in Bryce Canyon and Zion, big horn sheep in Yosemite, and a variety of these animals in many of our parks, along with lush bird life, squirrels, bobcats, foxes and raccoons.

 Yosemite and other parks have bike boardwalks, Mesa Verde has cliff dwellings, and Yellowstone of course is famous for its geysers and thermal pools.

The Lower Falls at Yellowstone National Park
are an annual attraction for millions of visitors.
Nature in our national parks is particularly
pretty as crowds thin and autumn approaches.

If you're a fan of magnificent trees, Sequoia is the national park for you and Utah's Canyonlands and Arches are known for spectacular stargazing. Family or couples hiking is a favorite family sport in Yellowstone and Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park.

We have 63 national parks in the United States.  We're proud that Yellowstone was the first national park in the world.  More than 100 other countries also have national parks, places dedicated to preserving wildlife and nature. There are many on the continent of Africa where you can find mountain gorillas in Uganda's national parks. Gabon, Kenya and Tanzania offer spectacular landscape and large animal viewing. 

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers
in Zion, taking a break during a fun hike.

Our neighbor to the north, Canada, has 37 national parks including Banff, Waterton and Jasper. It also has11 national park reserves. From Asia to South America, national parks offer an insight into how countries preserve diverse ecosystems, magical landscapes, and spectacular wildlife.

START PLANNING your U.S. park trip by contacting our National Park Service.  It offers a wealth of information on preparing for a visit: park maps, calendars, directions, operating hours, where to stay and instructions on obtaining park passes. 

Prepare by learning how to make a park visit both safe and enjoyable. Get updated information on wildlife activity, road closures and detours and insights into the effects of human actions on the environment. It's a great way to start a family dialogue -- painless learning and opening doors to a lifetime of appreciating these national treasures. If this year isn't in the cards, start planning a visit for 2026.

  Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers 
at the north entrance, with its cornerstone
laid by President Theodore Roosevelt.

MORE INFORMATION:

National parks in the United States: nps.gov

National parks in Canada: parks.canada.ca

Throughout the world: globalnationalparks.com

 

A delightful period set awaits viewers just before the house
lights dim, for "The Importance of Being Earnest" at 
the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, season 90.

UP NEXT: Oregon Shakespeare Festival offers three magnificent and diverse theaters, a roster of unforgettable performances and production values equal to Broadway's best or London's finest West End shows. We take readers to this gem of a festival in southern Oregon's charming town of Ashland, and look at the plays which make this 90th season one of the festival's best.  Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on the arts, nature, travel, cruising, train trips, city tours, family and more. Please share the link with like minded people:  www.whereiscookie.com

 

High Line's hurrah: Wondrous park reflects New York's spirit, diversity

The High Line in New York is a wonderful place, born of a grassroots effort to save a derelict
elevated train track. It is now a much visited park with walking paths, art and lush landscaping.
 

NEW YORK'S HIGH LINE OFFERS RESTFUL OASIS IN A BUSTLING CITY

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie"
Meyers pose in one of the viewing
areas of the popular High Line. 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

IF YOU are ready to herald the arrival of autumn, there's no prettier place than New York's beautiful High Line.
Created out of the remains of an abandoned New York Central Railroad viaduct, the High Line is a happy example of a successful grassroots effort.

Nearly 30 years ago, the neglected tracks were slated for demolition, so neighbors on Manhattan's West Side organized to save them.  Thinking outside the box, they drew financial support to create a spectacular oasis in one of the world's busiest cities.
Today's High Line stretches nearly 1.5 miles, offering locals and tourists an artful stroll along scenic walkways and unique viewing platforms. We admired both changing and permanent art installations along with hundreds of attractive plants.

Strollers walk along what was once an elevated
train track used for shipping goods to factories.

THE HIGH Line has a colorful past.  It opened in 1934 as part of the New York Central Railroad's West Side Line, replacing street-level tracks known as "Death Avenue" because of frequent accidents involving pedestrians.

The "High Line" elevated freight trains above the streets to higher ground, transporting goods directly to factories and warehouses, many of them in the Meatpacking District.  

 

Pausing to admire the landscape of New York's stunning
High Line is Christene "Cookie" Meyers.

 FRIENDS OF THE High Line was founded in 1999 by neighborhood residents Joshua David and Robert Hammond who began the non-profit for the High Line’s preservation. The organization oversees maintenance, operations and public programming for the park, sponsoring nearly 500 diverse events and programs each year and generating essential private funding. An endowment enables the free park's success.

High Line art intrigues to draw the eye in.

THE PLANTINGS have a natural look, inspired by the landscape that grew on the High Line during the 25 years after trains stopped running. Grasses, perennials, trees, and bushes were chosen for their hardiness, sustainability, and variation, with a focus on native species. Intriguingly, in several places, the High Line’s railroad tracks were returned and are cleverly integrated into pathways and flower beds. For those who wish to sit, the park offers “peel-up” benches and sundeck chaise lounges overlooking Hudson River. We enjoyed lunch from our pick of ethnic food vendors, watched a dancing group perform and tagged on to a free docent-led tour.

There are plenty of places to stay, including a hotel named after the project. The High Line Hotel is a "repurposed" historic building in the city's West Chelsea neighborhood. It was built in 1895 as a dormitory for the General Theological Seminary.

The High Line's "Foot Fountain" is just that,
a functional work of art and one of many
eye-catching pieces strollers enjoy. 

CONVERTING the outdated freight corridor into a park cost $250 million and generated 8,000 construction jobs.

The redevelopment increased tax revenue by $1 billion and increased property values in the neighborhood. New businesses, including hotels and restaurants, have created 12,000 new jobs.

And since 2014, more than 20 million people have visited the High Line, which hosts in excess of 500 public programs and events annually.

Happily, the High Line has become a global inspiration for cities to transform unused industrial zones into dynamic public spaces.

It's a wonderful, free diversion if you're planning a visit to this remarkable city.
More info: A visit to the High Line is free.  The park can be accessed from several locations. For more on activities and visiting, go to: www.thehighline.org/visit/ 

 

The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone are a spectacular sight,
no prettier than in the last days of summer when crowds lessen.

ON TAP: Yellowstone National Park is a treasure enjoyed by millions from around the world.  It beckons visitors in these last days of summer to visit the park as it heralds the coming of autumn. As Labor Day approaches, there's no better time to visit Yellowstone, Teton, Glacier and other national parks.  The aspen are turning, wildlife are on the move and crowds are beginning to thin as schools resume.  Tips on making the best of a fall visit to our beloved national parks, up next. Meanwhile, explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on nature, travel, the arts, family and more. Please share our link with others: www.whereiscookie.com

 

Central Park's wonders attract international crowd to enjoy its beauty

 

New York's Central Park is a welcoming oasis any time of the year.
More than 42 million people from all over the world visited last year
making it one of the most visited tourist attractions on the planet.

A PARK FOR ALL SEASONS AND ALL PEOPLE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK CITY

Corby Skinner, left, with Christene "Cookie" Meyers
and Bruce Keller, on a recent visit to New York. The trip's 
emphasis was theater, with a stroll through Central Park.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

A VISIT TO New York is not complete without a stroll through Central Park.

It has a magic unrivaled by any park we’ve visited in the world. That’s because it combines so many elements designed for relaxation, pleasure and enjoyment of nature.

After John Lennon was murdered, his widow, Yoko Ono,
began designing "Strawberry Fields." Fans come to
remember, honor his memory and sometimes play a tune.

Bicycles are numerous in the park, driven by visitors,
 food sellers and drivers offering a ride to tourists.

You’ll join bird watchers, chess players, bicyclers, strollers, picnickers, boaters in the summer and ice skaters in the winter. The park is well loved -- frequented by families, singles, couples, groups soaking up the splendors of this unusual and inviting oasis, established in 1853 to meet the recreational needs of a growing city.    

LANDSCAPE architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition for the park with their "Greensward Plan."  By 1859, thousands of New Yorkers ice skated on lakes designed over former swamp land. A few years later in 1876, the park was officially dedicated,  honoring the country’s centennial.

It is popular to have a ride through the park, on one
of the colorful carriages with beautiful horses.

IT IS A stunning park in city center, visited by rock stars, athletes, popes and school groups. It has many places to reflect -- paths, benches, ponds and bike paths. Visitors enjoy horse drawn carriages, places for games, a fine restaurant and spots for meditation including Yoko Ono’s “Strawberry Fields.” The widow of musician John Lennon designed and dedicated it in 1985. It honors Lennon, one of the famous Beatles and an award winning composer, and was dedicated on what would have been his 45th birthday.

Such a park is unusual in any city, but truly so in this bustling city of nearly eight million. 

We love strolling Central Park, for its natural beauty – stunning in any season. The trees, flowers, interesting paths, even a castle, make it unique.  But the people in the park are the stars – an international mix of tourists and locals, all drawn to the beauty of its 840 acres, stretching between 59^th and 110^th Streets and Fifth and Eighth Avenues.

Visitors and "residents" include this squirrel.

 

IT HAS THE distinction of being the first American park to be developed using landscape architecture techniques and is beloved by a worldwide fan club. We overheard conversations in 11 languages on our last visit, when we climbed to the top of Belvedere Castle with our Montana friend, Corby Skinner.

The castle is considered a “folly,” an ornamental building with no real purpose except entertainment and amusement. It personifies the park’s purpose – to entertain and amuse.

 Step into the park in any season and you feel a sense of peace, pride and community.

We recommend cityPASS for savings if you want a wonderful way to see the city's highlights:

To book or check out cityPASS @citypass

New York's High Line is another attraction, a clever
resurrection of an abandoned rail area, brought to
new life with plants, a walkway and sculpture.

UP NEXT: While we're in New York, we're featuring its famous High Line, which was created from a derelict railroad line.  It offers a beautiful stroll through landscaped gardens and intriguing sculpture.

Meanwhile, explore, learn and live and catch us for a new look, a newly designed website and an easy to navigate series of topics and photographs. Coming soon.