IDA in Washington, DC

I really tried to limit my pictures this trip, but I always do so many things and I want to preserve the memories. So here goes… A trip to an International Downtown Association conference in DC, turned into 9 wonderful days hanging with work friends, and old DC friends and family, checking out new to me neighborhoods and the way old to me areas have changed.

I felt really blue and wary arriving in DC. It felt dystopian but I was warmed by little signs of resistance all over and the work me and my conference mates do focuses locally in a productive healing way so hearifn about their work seems like the ultimate antidote to these glum times. I did see my first group of ICE/Police/HSI, but thankfully didn’t have to watch them detain anyone.

I leave with renewed love for DC even if I feel a little down on our Democracy.

Visiting Lucy the Elephant

This year on my way to Cape May, NJ for the week, I stopped by to finally see Lucy the Elephant, located in Margate, also along the Jersey Shore, and she was even better than I expected!

Built in 1882, Lucy was created with the purpose of promoting real estate sales and attracting tourists to the area. (Clearly that is still happening.) Lucy is the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America.

More NYC Public Realm Improvements

ust in time for summer, NYC opened a new section of the new East River Park on the Lower East Side. New green space, picnic and BBQ areas, and basketball and tennis courts are part of the $1.45 Billion East Side Coastal Resiliency Project that raised the land by 8-10 feet to protect New Yorkers from future coastal storms and tidal flooding. It’s really beautiful.

Exploring NYC's Public Realm Improvements

I’ve been trying to catch up on New York City’s new public realm improvements. Yesterday that meant walking the north end of Hudson River Park where last fall they opened Pier 97 at 57th Street. The project turned a former docking pier and parking lot into 2.5 acres of public open space, complete with a playground, athletic field, and sloping sun lawn. They even have a granite slide at the end that I whizzed down. Well done Hudson River Park Trust!

Visiting the Twin Cities - May 2023

I’m trying to see as much of America as I can. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have always been on my bucket list, so I jumped on the chance to attend the International Downtown Association’s conference there and learn about the city from my kind of people, BID folk! They took me on walking tours and shared drinks on rooftops where we talked shop. Luckily I roped in a colleague/friend to extend the trip, so we would have time to dig a little deeper. Naturally we visited Prince’s home Paisley Park, ate a Juicy Lucy, walked beside one of the 10,000 lakes, explored their varied arts scene, strolled the skyways, were wowed by the mighty Mississippi, dove into the Somali and Hmong cultures and visited George Floyd Square to wrestle with that piece of history. All in all, it was a full and satisfying trip. The United States are varied and it’s always interesting to scratch a little deeper.

Click HERE if you want to see more photos from my trip.

Reflecting at George Floyd Square, Minneapolis

 

When I was in Minneapolis, I felt like I needed to take a thoughtful visit to George Floyd Square. It felt weird because it’s not a museum, it’s a place people live their daily lives, and yet, it’s now a place where a very important, disturbing piece of history took place that has become an active memorial. Plus I mean, after all, I was there for a BID conference that focused on the City and this event was under the surface and yet not mentioned very much. Also I am an experiential learner, so I went…

While I was there multiple locals came up to talk to me to explain their perspective on the place or to tell me what wasn’t being done to improve people’s lives or the behavior of the police and also to tell me to be careful and not get hustled. The interactions were hard to process on their own. I left wondering what good could come out of this or if being put in the spotlight would actually really disturb most of these people’s lives. I can’t really explain what I mean, but I feel like I needed to share more of the complexities vs just posting pictures.

In addition, on a larger level, I feel like there has been so much tumultuous stuff going on over the last few years and that we all keep moving on instead of fixing things. We put on our blinders instead of getting together and attempting to make important hard change. It makes me feel a little hopeless.

Visiting Mary Tyler Moore

Hello Mary Tyler Moore!

I seem to be making it! Thanks for leading the way.

Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have the town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone
But it's time you started living
It's time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have the town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

Visting Houston and Experiencing Art Car Culture

When I heard about the Art Car Parade, a quirky annual event in Houston, Texas, I felt like I had to go! I mean if not now, when? I’ve never been to Houston and have always had a bit of a crush on Texas. Plus all forces were pointing to it, when it popped up on a few of the top places to travel in 2023 lists and the New York Times published “36 Hours in Houston.” Yes, timing was bad, since I just got back from my cruise a few day ago, but You Only Live Once! So here I am ready to watch 250 amazingly decorated cars roll, especially after a preview last night!

To see more photos of fabulous art cars and other Houston highlights CLICK HERE

Covid Can't Kill the Christmas Spirit in New York City

 

Omicron might have started raging in the middle of the New York Christmas season, but that didn't stop many many people from coming out and enjoying our Christmas City! 

Click HERE for more pictures of Christmas in New York City 2021

Traveling to Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida

These days I'll take whatever travel I can get.  Tampa, Florida isn't new for me, but  I was there for the Annual International Downtown Association conference and that meant looking at it from a totally different lens. Me and my work colleagues explored the city, riding the street car and ferries and walked around seeing their many streetscape and public realm innovations. We also got to geek out on urban planning successes of cities all over during COVID and beyond. And it was extra fun to spend so much quality and quantity time with my New York colleagues. The pandemic was hard on all of us and this conference gave us time to appreciate all we have accomplished and remind me what a great job I have and how great the people I work with are.

My mom always told me to tack on a few days at the beach to any trip, so I headed to St. Petersburg with my friend Christy. We enjoyed an afternoon downtown checking out their new totally cool waterfront pier and their amazing farmers market, which had a little bit of everything.  St. Pete definitely has some little bits of creative and quirky charms, so I can see why its growing so fast.  Then of course, the beach was very enjoyable even if resort travel isn't exactly my style. But as the saying goes, when in Rome. And when in Florida... you certainly stay in big hotels and slide down giant water slides!

Lastly, I'm not gonna lie. It was nice to be in a place that didn't feel as stressed about covid. Strange but good.  Mind you, it definitely didn't feel normal at all. Covid is affecting everywhere.

Visiting South Dakota on for July 4th

Life in the time of covid means domestic travel to avoid the need for covid tests and the fear of travel lock downs and quarantines. I have both been missing the adventure of travel and the chance to spend long quality hours with travel companions soaking up and discussing what we're experiencing. Since my travel bucket list is long and varied, this seemed like the perfect time to finally visit a travel friend who I had met on tours of Palestine and Iran.  Next stop, Rapid City, South Dakota timing to coincide with July 4th and the Black Hills Roundup, a small town rodeo that has been occurring for 102 years.  My friend grew up on a ranch and seemed like the perfect person to learn the local traditions from.

I had been to South Dakota once before when I drove across country after college. I remembered it fondly. Flat land melting into the Badlands and then the dramatic Black Hills with Mount Rushmore. I figured another trip years later was worth it and surely there was more to see. Man, was I right. I had a jam packed trip of picturesque things! Animals, landscapes, tourist kitsch, dinosaurs, dancing, abandoned towns and buildings, and a lot of food for thought about some of the many things that make up America.

Photos from South Dakota - 2021

 

Click HERE to see more photos from my trip to South Dakota