The 2009 Christmas Tour Part 2: New York

The second part of my travels immediately before Christmas was to New York. I always find a visit to the city during the holiday season magical. Even the weather cooperated. After the first day of icy rain, that is. The lead photo of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel sums up New York City for me. Grand and historic. As is this awful photo of a beautiful portrait of one of the World War One heroes taken outside the library of the club where I was staying. I toast him every time I am in town...

I got the chance to wander about a good deal in the evening...to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas Tree...

I think I also captured part of the face of a high ranking official of some sort. Turning around after taking this shot I saw another of my favorite things...the snowflakes on the side of Saks Fifth Avenue...

I take a photo of them every year and I cannot manage not to blur them. They are gloriously pretty. Here is another try with not much better results...

Shop windows are of course to be viewed during any Manhattan holiday stroll...

And some boulevard trees covered in lights...

More store windows...

I know those last two photos do not look like I took them. With my new phone. But there it is. Alert the media that I have turned a photographic corner. Wait until you see the best one, coming up. For now, back to regular Epic-quality photos...

Even the buildings in Midtown Manhattan wear their holiday best. Tiffany for example...

One of the Trump buildings, with a lit Christmas tree on each level on the outside of the building...

One of my favorites, the huge crystal snowflake hanging above Fifth Avenue at 56th Street, I believe...I snap it every year and can't get a clear shot of it either...

Another try...

The Fendi shop with diamond belts and buckles...

Perhaps my perennial favorite, Cartier...

Of course, Radio City Music Hall...

Then time-out for a cocktail or two and a very fine meal at another of my favorite spots on the globe...

The 21 Club. Wandering then resumed...


I know. That one does not look like I took it either. Shopping was of course in order, and I made a pilgrimage to a spot beloved by all fans of the "Operation Runway" television show. The Mood fabric store...

I can tell you, when you ship some unique designer fabric home to your design-conscious wife from a place like Mood, you will get loud sounds of glee. The fabric I bought is not depicted in the photo. Even I have better taste than that. But we must return to our Epic wandering...

Now my friends, brace yourselves for the best photo I have ever taken...which concludes my survey of midtown at midnight...

I told you I was taking these with a phone, didn't I?

The final day of my trip to New York dawned bright, clear and very cold. A bit of time for a final amble was available...

Just the thing to spur the appetite for a lingering, wonderful lunch at Le Veau D'Or. Believe it or not, there used to be Calvados in this glass...

But, the demanding call of the airlines rang out all too soon. I found myself contemplating my tremendous luck in being able to come on such a trip while refreshing myself in the Sky Club at LaGuardia Airport...

This really was a perfect trip to close out the year. It featured great friends. Great meals prepared at a friend's lovely home, at "21", at Aquavit, and especially at Le Veau D'Or (several times). Some gifts shipped home. Grand memories. In short, New York, in full measure.

The final 2009 travel installment is Part 3 of the Christmas Tour...New Orleans. Stay tuned...