Hudson River Pilings

Hudson River Pilings, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Last one standing? It just might be time to fix last winter's damage before the arrival of fall....

Cadets

Cadets, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Freshman Physical Education class....West Point, NY.

Newburgh Marina

Newburgh Marina, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Summer on the Hudson...The city of Newburgh boasts a updated and lively waterfront park and marina. The area offers lots of boating opportunities....

Chapel West Point

Chapel West Point, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Cadets at West Point pledge not to marry until after graduation. This chapel becomes the marriage venue of choice very shortly after graduation and is very much in demand. Freshman Cadets (Plebs) often reserve wedding dates four years in advance. Countless military brides have taken this walk!

Spinnaker Time

Spinnaker Time, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Sailing downwind is a bit like running downhill! Catchin' the evening breeze on the GSB....

Sail Shadows

Sail Shadows, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It does not get much better. Warm temperatures, blue sky and a nice breeze. August on the Great South Bay...

Flying Scot Sunset

Flying Scot Sunset, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
August evening on the Great South Bay...Life is Good!

West Point

West Point, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The view from across the parade grounds is a post card of West Point. The academic campus encompasses some 3,500 acres. The entire property that is West Point covers over 25 square miles!

West point Chapel

West Point Chapel, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Iconic West Point Chapel....a visit to the Hudson Valley would not be complete without a stop at West Point. The Cadet Chapel is a must see on the tour as it is filled with history, tradition and pride.

Castle View

Castle View, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Bannerman Island's historic structures continue to crumble amid efforts to raise funds for restoration. The views of the Hudson River must have been stunning from the upper floors of the old Armory.

MeetUp Pirates

MeetUp Pirates, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
A boatload of photographers... One of those pictures that is often times lovingly referred to  as "shot while shooting". This group is capturing that great light at Bannerman Island!

Bannerman Hilltop

Bannerman Hilltop, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The real treat about our tour of Bannerman Island was the changing early evening light. Great day to have a camera and good company! Life s Good.

Steps to Castle

Steps to Castle, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Steps: It's been a long time since these steps have seen any foot traffic. Bannerman Island set in the Hudson River between West Point and Newburgh is a paradox of beauty amongst the ruins...

Island Ruins

Island Ruins, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Ruins in the river. Like a misplaced rook from a huge chessboard this structure looks a bit medieval in the Hudson River. It's history is tied to Bannerman Island, it was part of a large unloading pier for the island's armory.

Bannerman Waterside

Bannerman Waterside, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Bannerman Castle....The ruins continue to crumble as they guard over Bannerman Island. The island,  situated in the Hudson River once housed a huge armory and supply depot. In the late 1800's the Bannerman family business became a major supplier of military gear for the U.S Army. The private island also served as a summer home for the Bannerman's. 

Future High Line

Future High Line, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Coming Soon: a gorgeous city park with thousands of visitors! The Highline park extension...

Self Seeding Landscape

Self Seeding, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
While touring the last "unfinished" section of the Highline Park in Manhattan, we experienced the ultimate in "politically correct" terminology. Our guide and our brochures informed us that the vegetation along this stretch of the abandoned west side railway was "self seeding". At my house we still just call them "weeds". Go figure.....

CitiBike

CitiBike, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
New York's "Citibike" program has been a huge hit...!

Trains N Tracks

Trains N Tracks, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
If you live on Long Island you have taken the LIRR to Penn Station. It's a rule, a suburban rite of passage and perhaps an act of Congress. ( This especially true during the Thanksgiving to Christmas time period). Where do all those trains go after that last stop in Manhattan? The West side rail yard by "Hudson Yards"....

Colorful Icon

Colorful Icon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Highline has become a magnet for city artist...an updated iconic moment in New York history adorns a nearby building.

New Line

New Line, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
NYC's High Line Park continues to grow....the final section of the High Line is being prepared. The last section will end ( or begin depending upon one's point of view ) at 30th Street at which point the elevated park will be a carpet of perennial plantings and public areas all the way to 18th Street.

Flying Scot

Flying Scott , originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Sayville Evening: enjoying a peaceful sail on the Great South Bay.

Beach View

Beach View, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Fire Island and summer, a magical combination of time and place. Life is good.

Robert Moses Sunrise

Robert Moses Sunrise, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Another beautiful Long Island summer day begins.....

Blustery Beach On Fire Island

Blustery Beach On Fire Island, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
One of the very few ways to "beat the heat" when outdoors this week!.....

Gavin On The Run

Gavin On The Run, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Summer and grandkids....it just does not get better than this! Life is Good.

Davis Park Beach Breeze

Davis Park Beach Breeze, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Now THAT is a sea breeze! Long Island's afternoon heat has the classic southwest winds off the ocean cooling things down at the beaches.

Kids Beach

Kids Beach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's official: after weeks of record setting rain we have a heatwave. Cool ocean breezes are the best way to escape the heat!

Celebrating The 4th

Celebrating The 4th, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Celebrating with dad and waiting for the fireworks!

Fourth Fireworks

Fourth Fireworks, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Happy Fourth of July!!

June Evening In Sayville

June Evening In Sayville, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Great South Bay evening.....Sayville dockside sunset!

Sayville Carnival Prizes

Sayville Carnival Prizes, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
What kind of a summer would it be without the required neighborhood carnival?

Fire Island Girl

Fire Island Girl, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
SUMMER!....and the beach days are back!

Wildwood Days

Wildwood Days, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Jersey Shore is Back!!! Not so sure that the shore is "stronger than the storm" but it certainly is resilient! Welcome Back boardwalks....

Sunset Sail

Sunset Sail, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Still magical...sunset on the Great South Bay!

Flying Scott

Flying Scott , originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
After a never ending winter and a soaking wet spring....finally we sail into summer!

Fox Close

Fox Close, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It happens every year 'round this time.....The Fox family has Fire Island's natural areas all to themselves. Then those boats filled with beach goers show up and pretty much ruin the peace and quiet until the fall.

Montauk Light Park

Montauk Light Park, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
YES...a sunny weekend on Long Island. (We shall ignore the forecast for Sunday night).

Great South Bay Sailing

Great South Bay Sailing, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Looks like more rain on the horizon...saturated Long Island will see more street flooding today. Weatherman is calling for three more inches of rain today, it was a joy to briefly see the sun yesterday!

Wash Day

Wash Day, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Laundry Day in Tavirna, Portugal. No such opportunity to hang out clothes to dry on Long Island! We are headed for the rainiest June on record and it's not even the middle of the month!

Winner

Winner, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
For sure, some folks were happier than others yesterday at the Belmont Stakes!

Taking The Lead

The Belmont, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's Belmont's turn to shine. The track promises to be wet and interesting after yesterday's torrential rains,

Blue Heron

Blue Heron, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
My mother would say.."Stand up straight!"...

Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Something magical about watching these behemoths leave port. It's also like watching unwelcome company leave if you happen to be staying in port!

Davis Sunrise

Davis Sunrise, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Fire Island morning..."pre-Sandy". Until very recently many FI communities have been off-limits for non-residents as rebuilding efforts have been underway.

Storm On The Danube

Storm On The Danube, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Archives: Black sky over the blue Danube, leaving Vienna...

Prague Castle

Prague Castle, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
My journey through archive photo files continues....The Prague Castle at night.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Remembering that some gave all.....

The Fisherman

The Fisherman, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
From the photo archives: Portugal..an octopus fisherman taking a break.

The Violinist

The Violinist, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Spring has returned to Central Park....!