Monday, June 1, 2009
The Manhattan skyline. If you read this blog you should now be able to pick out the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the Citigroup Center.
Well now that Steve and Heather are gone I have returned to my wandering of the city. It was very nice to have them here but I must say I really have forgotten what it is like to share a space with a boy again. And I am pretty sure Steve is the messiest guy in the world (I am not sure how Heather does it.) One day I came home from work and there were candy wrappers everywhere. Seriously every where he walked....there was a candy wrapper. It was like a little trail....and my place is not that big.
Anyway, moving on. My destination today was the Brooklyn Bridge. Arguably one of New York's most famous landmarks, I decided I needed to take some time and walk across it which is a very popular thing to do and actually does not take that long. It is just around a mile each direction and actually is a pleasant little walk. I am sure in the summer when there are a lot more people it is not as pleasant so I thought I better do it now. Also not so nice that one entire side of the bridge is reserved for bikers and runners and you better not be on the wrong side if you are just walking and someone is on a bike.
The Brooklyn Bridge stretches over the East River and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn (two of New York's boroughs. The other 3 being The Bronx, Staten Island and Queens). I already knew that it is one of the United State's oldest suspension bridges but Steve actually got me interested in looking a little more at the bridge's story.
This is the New York Tower. Construction was completed July 1875. The other tower, The Brooklyn Tower was completed May of the same year.
The proposal for the bridge was first submitted in 1802 and construction began January 3rd, 1870. It took 13 years to complete finally opening for use May 24, 1883. John Roebling, Washington Roebling, and Emily Warren Roebling are credited as the bridge's builders. John's toes were crushed by falling bridge timber (or pinned between a pylon and ferry, depending on what you read) early during construction. He's toes were amputated and he eventually died from an infection related to the injury. His son Washington took charge of the bridge construction until he was paralyzed by compression syndrome. That left Emily in charge. She had to learn all about engineering and math and that kind of but under her command the bridge was completed. I think we all have to agree she did a good job.
John Roebling was not the only person to lose their life to the bridge's construction. 27 people were killed during the 13 years of construction. 12 more people were killed about a week after it opened after rumours of a bridge collapse lead to a stampede. In 1885 Robert E. Odlum died of internal injuries after he jumped from the bridge. Tragic.....I know.
Here's a little party trivia for you. The Brooklyn Bridge has a total length of 1825 metres and a width of 26 metres.
And a little more party trivia. When the bridge was completed it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, the first steel-wire suspension bridge, and the first bridge to connect to Long Island. Bet you didn't know that.
Anyway, like most things I have done in NYC if you have the chance I totally recommend that you take an hour and walk the bridge if only for the view of the Manhattan skyline.
Of course the Bridge is not the only thing to see in this part of town so while I was there I decided to check out the NYPD museum....because you know it's what I do and I had already put the effort in to taking the subway all the way down here (I know moving across the country is never an issue but taking a 15 minute subway ride takes a lot of effort).
Anyway, it is a neat little place with lots old badges and uniforms and handcuffs and mug shots and radios and cars and well I think you get the point. I also enjoyed the hands-on stuff (yes I like to play with things). They have a section where you not only can turn the flashing lights on but also play with all the different sirens. Fun and loud.....I see why Dad spent all those years working and I am sure playing with all the buttons in his car is now keeping Steve entertained.
Gotta love the old school cars!!
See all the noise they let me make.....and inside too.
Shortly at after that I found myself at the corner of Broad and Wall Street which is of course where you will find the New York Stock Exchange.
Ahhhh, America. The home of baseball, apple pie and the unaffordable health care we have all come to know and love.
Looking down Wall Street at Trinity Church.....and a whole lot of useless people. Man I love New York!!!!
Julie
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