Day 220

When boats flew

August 6th, 2012



The Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia Airport opened in 1940 to accommodate seaplanes (which are represented by the flying fish encircling the top of the building). Among the aircraft that used the terminal in those days were the gigantic Boeing 314 flying boats (pictured here), which were "responsible for the most adventurous and romantic era" in the airport's history, according to a sign inside the building. The terminal is still in use today, though not by seaplanes: Delta Shuttle flights operate out of its six gates (which are actually located in an annex adjacent to the original terminal building).

Day 220

Short Term Barking

August 6th, 2012



"Welcome to Terminal A / Marine Air Terminal's Pet Relief Area"

(Note the continuation of the flying fish motif.)

Day 220

9/11 memorial #89

August 6th, 2012



This is part of a little memorial garden outside the Marine Air Terminal. The plaque reads:

Artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center after September 11, 2001, courtesy of The Port Authority of NY & NJ and displayed in memory of the 2,752 victims, including:

37 Port Authority Police Officers
23 New York City Police Officers
343 New York City Firefighters

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I love the rinky-dink model airplane dangling from the ceiling! That's a bust of Fiorello La Guardia in the center; the 12-foot-high painting encircling the room ("Flight" by James Brooks) is supposedly the largest mural commissioned by the WPA. It was painted over in the 1950s, but was deservedly restored three decades later.

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You can see some great photos of the mural here.

Day 220

A look up at the skylight

August 6th, 2012


Day 220

Air traffic control tower

August 6th, 2012



Built in 2010, this tower replaced LaGuardia's old "Swiss cheese ice cream cone".

Day 220

Welcome to New York

August 6th, 2012



Here are the 42 things to do.

Day 220

Portal of the day

August 6th, 2012


Day 220

Where the Sidewalk Ends

August 6th, 2012



This is apparently where the Port Authority's duty to the pedestrian terminates. Heading out of the southeastern corner of LaGuardia, the concrete path gives out at this little hill; a well-worn dirt trail takes you the last 50 yards or so to a pedestrian bridge over the Grand Central Parkway.

Day 220

The Googlemobile!

August 6th, 2012



We were bound to cross paths sooner or later. I still hope to catch one in action.

Day 220

Taking a look inside

August 6th, 2012



I can peer into your life too, Google! For example: judging by the napkins in the passenger seat, I take it you are a fan of Dunkin' Donuts.

(Or have I just unwittingly played along with an insidious new advertising strategy? Perhaps Google can now embed ads directly into the physical reality of our daily lives!)

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Like I said.

Day 220

He must be hungry

August 6th, 2012



Glad I'm not in his family!

Day 220

1965 Chevy pickup

August 6th, 2012


Day 220

The Fair Theatre

August 6th, 2012



From the street and on the Web, this theater appears to be devoted to Bollywood films. But that's not quite the whole story.