I've been traveling to New York City for decades. My first trip to the city was at Christmas Time and I had no idea where I was, where I was going, or how to get around. I actually took taxis and drove into the city. A lot of time and a lot of knowledge has passed my way over the years. I know a lot more now, and I still have a lot to learn.
For any of you who follow me, you know how much I love trains, subways and bridges. Considering that there are 21 bridges that connect Manhattan to the outer world; I have a lot on my to do and see list. When it comes to bridges, I love to photograph them, and if possible, I love to walk them. It's one of my favorite activities of all time. This being said, I took off to a spot I'd never investigated this week. The Harlem River, Harlem, and Randall's and Ward Islands.
First, I took the opportunity to do a little something new. Instead of taking the train into Grand Central Station, which is a normal go to for me, I took a different route. I took what I call the train bus from Waterbury to Bridgeport in Connecticut. We had a bit of a flood a couple of weeks ago and it took out a portion of the tracks around Seymour, CT and we have a bus until further notice. I will say, they offered both an express bus and one that stopped at the train stations along the way. Since I was going to Bridgeport to transfer, the express bus was for me. Once in Bridgeport I took the New Haven Line to Stamford and the local train into the city to the Fordham Station.
That's where my adventure began. I'm a person who spends a lot of time in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I enjoy the areas and there's so much to see and do that I never run out of ideas. This time was different. I was out for an adventure and bridges were the subject of that adventure. I wanted to take pictures of two bridges in particular; The Harlem River Lift Bridge, or Park Avenue Bridge, and The Hell's Gate Railroad Bridge.
I'd mapped out my route so I wouldn't get lost and knew the numbers of my subways and buses. I was ready to go out and see some bridges.
So, back to Fordham Road. I got off the train and got my metro card for the rest at the station. The subway can be found six blocks up Fordham Road, so you can buy cards at the train station. It's handy. There are also restrooms there if you need them and a convenience store if you're thirsty. There are signs all along the way, pointing you to the subway. This is an expected route for people to take in that part of the city.
As I made my way to the subway, I passed some great shopping if you happen to take this route into the city. There were some factory outlets along the way and all kinds of restaurants. It's a great neighborhood to do some shopping in.
Let me make a note here. Going this way into the city can be cheaper than going all the way to Grand Central. The orange lines and green lines connect the area to the rest of the city and the ride each way, although more time consuming, is $3 less on average than a trip to Grand Central where you have to get your metro card and make your way around on the subways anyway. It doesn't seem like much, but it adds up.
What I did to go to the Harlem River Park to see several draw, swing, and lift bridges was to switch from the orange D and B lines to the green 4 line and that takes place at Yankee Stadium. It's also 161st Street. Here you go from subterranean to elevated with your transfer and it's so far up that you get an amazing view of the iconic stadium. Their team store is on the premises and is open daily from 10 - 4. It's a nice little stop along the way if you or someone in your family is a Yankee's fan. Also, this is the line you should take to go to a game, obviously.
I took the green 4 to 138th Street. This is where I exited to go to the Harlem River Park and get some photos of all the bridges along the Harlem River. If you've ever been, you know that's fairly impossible. There are a lot of bridges along that section of river. I was able to photograph the two that I really wanted to see, but I also saw three others from the park.
I will say, this is the thick of the city. Most of my friends and family won't go to this area. There's a lot of stigma, stories and all kinds of crazy stuff. What I found were some friendly people who pointed me in the right direction, because it was a little different than what I'm used to. I found nice people who struck up conversations with me about their neighborhood, and I learned a lot about Harlem. I learned about some of the changes going on to make things newer and cleaner. The people who live in this neighborhood are proud and work hard to keep things nice. Never judge a book by its cover. You'll miss out on some great interactions.
Did I find views of my bridges? I did. I was able to photograph both the Harlem River Lift Bridge and the Madison Avenue Swing Bridge while I was there. I also got to walk the Madison Avenue Bridge. Loved the views and loved the walk.
The Harlem River Park does need some work, but it's lovely. With a little cleanup, the place would be pristine. The views are amazing, and I would go again. Basically, it's like a home that's been lived in vs. a home that's staged to sell.
But it was time for me to head on to the next part of my adventure. I returned to the Green 4 at 138th Street and went to 125th Street. Here, I boarded the M35 Bus with my metro card. They are interchangeable between bus and subway as long as they have money on them. They also can be used on the tram to Roosevelt Island further south in the East River.
I boarded the M35 Bus to Randall's and Ward Islands. This is where I learned a lot and feel the need to discuss some things. The two islands have been conjoined for decades along with a third island known as Sunken Garden Island. The names Randall's and Ward are interchangeable or you can use both. It's all the same place. That's one thing I learned.
The other thing I learned a lot about that day was the RFK Memorial or Triborough Bridge. You can't talk about these islands without talking about this bridge. I rode the bus. I have no idea how you drive to this island. The Triborough Bridge sprawls across a good portion of the island and the authority that governs it is located on the island. That being said, the exit and entrance ramps also sprawl everywhere on the island. They're building pedestrian access that is somehow connected to the bridge. I saw it and still don't quite get how it's going to work. My personal opinion is that from the air the mess of tarmac that sprawls across the island as that bridge probably looks like a plate of grey spaghetti. Thank God, I don't have to navigate it, because I don't drive in the city.
That's not the only thing on the island. The Manhattan Psychiatric Hospital and the Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center are on the island. I didn't know what to think when the bus entered the area with the guards and the walls with barbed wire on them to go to a bus stop. That was admittedly, a little more than I'd bargained for. Other things on the island that I saw include the city's help center for homeless people, the Volunteers of America, and one of the largest migrant tent camps I've ever seen. All of these facilities had several guards, police, and other security. Strangely, when I made it to the park, I felt safe.
On the opposite side of the island from all that I saw a water treatment plant, sports stadium, tennis center, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, and the Fire Training Academy. The island is very diverse and has a lot going on.
As I said, I went to the park for the view and the bridges. I was not disappointed.
I walked all around the paved path of the park. I learned so much. I walked the Ward's Island Bridge which is a pedestrian bridge that connects Manhattan to Randall's and Ward Islands. I'd seen it in the distance from other locations in the city for years, but what I didn't know was that it's a draw or lift bridge. Fascinating.
As luck would have it, it was also the main connection between the city and the migrant tent camp on the island. Yes, I've read the news. I'm aware that recently they've been trying to shut some of the camp down because of violent crimes. It's a shame, but sometimes people can't behave. There were scores of police and security in the area, so no one was at risk that day.
Then I went around to the other side of the park. There they have dozens of soccer and sports fields. There were a few people kicking some balls around, but the fields are not currently in official use. The youth leagues have been moved until the migrant situation can be resolved.
On that side of the island I was able to photograph the Triborough Bridge as it leaps to Queens and the Hell's Gate Railroad Bridge that I came to see. They are beautiful bridges and boosted my totals of bridge viewing to 8 that day.
One of the amazing things about Randall's Island is the view. The island is labeled as being in Harlem, probably because that's where you catch the bus. This is in the Bronx and North Manhattan area, so you are looking down the East River from that point. You can see Manhattan and all the famous sky scrapers on the right. You can see parts of Brooklyn in the distance and Queens on the left. You can also see Roosevelt Island in the middle of the river right in front of the Queensborough Bridge. It's a magnificent view.
I learned a lot about the rivers that day. I noticed a set of pretty impressive rapids while on the south shore of the island looking at the East River. That being said, it was an area of strait called Hell's Strait, hence the gigantic Hell's Gate Railroad Bridge that spans it.
I learned that because most of the area in New York is islands, there are some interesting waterways. The East River comes up next to Manhattan from the harbor area, swings around Randall's Island through Hell's Strait, makes an east turn and goes around the north end of Queens, by Riker's Island, past the East Bronx and the river of that name, under the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges, and northeast into Long Island Sound. The direction that the tidal waters actually flow are subject to discussion. I couldn't even tell while looking at the rapids at the park.
On the other side, the Harlem River connects the East River to the Hudson River and generally looks like it flows west. It's a channel used by many boats and is spanned by at least 8 moveable bridges.
Along the north side of Randall's Island is the Bronx Kill, a small waterway that I have no idea which way it flows, but it is there and the Triborough Bridge also spans that.
Did I miss anything? Probably. There are numerous islands, channels kills, rivers, tidal basins, and on and on in New York City. I will probably never master it all.
After my return to 125th Street in Harlem, I had a great snack and caught the train home from the Harlem, Metro North Station. It was a great adventure. I loved all the bridges. I learned a lot.
Looking at my adventure day in New York's upper sections, was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? I think I would. Did I happen on more things to investigate in future adventures? I always do in New York City.
So, remember that there's more to a city than it's main tourist attractions. There's amazing things everywhere and so much to learn. So, don't think you have to stick to the main stuff in a major city near you. Take that next visit learn something new about that local city and enjoy!
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