Day 629

Today’s route — 17.0 miles

September 19th, 2013

Day 629

Revolutionary War Cemetery

September 19th, 2013



Also known as the Barkaloo (or Barkuloo) Cemetery, this is Brooklyn's smallest cemetery, and it's also the last remaining standalone family graveyard in the borough. There are supposedly three Revolutionary War veterans buried here, including the wonderfully named Harmonius Barkaloo. (I later discovered that his first name, to my great dismay, is probably more faithfully rendered in English as Harmanus, which just doesn't have the same harmonious ring to it. Nonetheless, I wanted to share with you the fleeting moment of pure joy that comes with imagining the existence of a man named Harmonius Barkaloo.)

Sometimes when wandering around cemeteries, I'm reminded of this passage from John McPhee's Oranges:

Grierson is a trim and well-groomed man in his late forties, with brown hair and a modest mustache. He is in the habit, rare in Florida, of working right through the lunch hour every day, pausing only, while eating a sandwich at his desk, to leaf through the telephone directory in search of unusual names, a daily amusement. The day I met him, he was beside himself with pleasure after discovering Verbal Funderburk.

Day 629

Alive as the Trees

September 19th, 2013



(Outside Xaverian High School)

Day 629

Fishin’ off the north side

September 19th, 2013



of the 69th Street Pier

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And fishin’ off the south

September 19th, 2013



That's the Verrazano off in the distance.

Day 629

Bristlin’ with fishin’ rods

September 19th, 2013



In case you couldn't tell, the 69th Street Pier is quite popular with the angling crowd. Out in the water at the end of the pier is an under-construction "Eco Dock".

Day 629

THE FREEDOM TREE

September 19th, 2013



WITH THE VISION OF UNIVERSAL FREEDOM
FOR ALL MANKIND
THIS TREE IS DEDICATED TO
RICHARD COCHEO
AND ALL
PRISONERS OF WAR
AND
MISSING IN ACTION
1973

(There are a few other Freedom Trees dedicated to other POW/MIAs in this little section of Shore Road Park.)

Day 629

Waterwalk

September 19th, 2013



A series of educational signs posted along the Bay Ridge waterfront

Day 629

DO NOT ANCHOR OR DREDGE

September 19th, 2013


Day 629

DO NOT ANCHOR OR DREDGE

September 19th, 2013


Day 629

DO NOT ANCHOR OR DREDGE

September 19th, 2013


Day 629

Soaring across the Narrows

September 19th, 2013



The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, with the longest bridge span in the Americas

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with a retroreflective stripe to reduce bridge strikes. Looks like this crossing might be about to get seriously snazzed up.

Day 629

Across the Belt Parkway

September 19th, 2013



Another zap shack

Day 629

Bay Parkway Community Job Center

September 19th, 2013



This hiring center for immigrant day laborers moved into this Cekis-painted trailer after its previous home, an 8-by-12-foot wooden shack, was blown 120 feet into a nearby parking lot by Hurricane Sandy.

Day 629

Portals of the day

September 19th, 2013



and a ripening persimmon

Day 629

Sky bridge at St. Ephrem School

September 19th, 2013


Day 629

Leaf veins in the setting sun

September 19th, 2013



An oakleaf hydrangea

Day 629

Hitchin’ post

September 19th, 2013



Looks more like a pissin' post, actually.