[at-l] A Year Ago Yesterday....

[Bror8588 at aol.com (Bror8588@aol.com)]

In a message dated 7/1/04 13:03:26 Eastern Daylight Time, 
janl2@mindspring.com writes:


> Nice-Place-To-Visit-But-Wouldn't-Want-To-Live-There Shoe
> 

You can't be serious!  If you had such a good time on a one day visit just 
imagine what a great lifetime of being in the greatest city in the world could 
do for you.  NYC is a good place to live no matter what age you have achieved 
or whatever stage of health you enjoy.  It is a city with unlimited 
opportunities.  The parks within the city are numerous with a variety of attractions.  If 
one desires to take a long walk with like minded friends there are numerous 
organizations that offer opportunity to hike.  Among them would be the 
Shorewalkers and the AMC.  If one chooses to hang out with others interested in the 
Appalachian Trail the ALDHA directory lists several people. Some of the villages 
listed in the ALDHA directory are, in fact, communities within the bounds of 
NYC even though they bear names such as Brooklyn, Cambria Heights, and Forest 
Hills; and the surrounding communities easily commuted to by rail or bus 
include Bronxville, Hartsdale, Long Beach, and Montrose.  

As you learned when you visited the Appalachian Trail comes darn close to the 
city and can be accessed via public transportation from NYC via bus to 
Greenwood Lake, Harriman Park (Bear Mountain), and via rail to a Metro North stop 
near Wingdale.  One of the nice aspects of living in NYC is that AMTRAK can 
provide transportation to Gainesville, GA (just 17 hours away) which enables 
access to Springer Mountain via a shuttle from the proprietor(s) of the Hiker 
Hostel.

NYC has library systems (NY, Brooklyn and Queens all are separate systems) 
which give access to material regarding hiking, camping, the AT, etc., and other 
trails in the region.  In addition the Universities also have their own 
libraries as do many societies and institutions.  There are lots of opportunities 
for those who browse in bookstores to gain access to information for those so 
inclined.

This wonderful city provides anonymity for those who crave isolation while at 
the same time offers chances to congregate at some of the nicest watering 
holes in the world.  Want to meet for brunch? (a meal designed for those who do 
not like to get up early in the day) and you will find that there are so many 
places to choose from that it becomes necessary to establish a favorite one in 
order to avoid the stress of having to choose.  If one is an early riser there 
are (again) many choices.  Want to sleep in all day and then go to a 
gymnasium to work out and then begin to make plans to go out?  There are no limits to 
the many places that cater to "the late crowd."  Most restaurants close at 
some point in the night but there are many "All Night Diners" that are available 
for the satisfaction of hunger at odd hours.

If one wants to go for a hike in Europe or someplace in the West, NYC has two 
airports within the city limits that can whisk you to that far off place 
without the hassle of having to travel long distances to just get to the airport.  
The choices available for transportation are endless.  Don't want to travel 
to hike?  Just put on the walking shoes (boots, sneakers, Waldies or whatever) 
and go out and walk.  There are bridges galore to cross with views that 
startle the mind.  You can do it alone or with friends or even with strangers who 
will become friendly.  

Ah, NYC has it all!  

Skylander