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Well, I did it. Last Wednesday I went to TOP OF THE ROCK!!!!

I've been wanting to do this forever, so you can imagine how excited I was to get there; finally go to the top; and then look out over my favorite city while clicking my Canon. Which by the way, I took well over a hundred clicks.

Let me just say that the day was gorgeous. Well...gorgeous to me, anyway. It was sunny and briskly cold (37 degrees). A perfect day for not only taking pictures 872 feet above the ground, but also for walking around the city for eight hours.

I arrived in New York at about 11 AM. And after having a yummy and satisfying lunch, I walked from the West Side to the East Side of the city, and then directly over and up to Rockefeller Center...


After purchasing my ticket and going through security, I was ushered into a huge elevator with about 12 other people; whereupon the elevator doors slowly closed. Suddenly, the elevator started to rapidly ascend, carrying us to the tippy top -- the 70th floor...


When the elevator doors opened, I walked out onto the terrace.
And this is what I saw...


I audibly gasped from the magnificent view...


Manhattan, looking South


Looking East (East River)


Looking North (Central Park)


Looking West (Hudson River)

These next shots are various views and angles of the city...





These two photographs gave me a bit of a scare because I had to look directly down and manually zoom and focus my camera to get these shots.



432 Park Avenue Condominiums (1,396 ft.).
Before the Freedom Tower was built, this was actually the tallest building in New York.


Glass and steel


The top of the Chrysler Building


I have to share that at one point while looking out over this magnificent metropolis, I got emotional because I felt very moved. Seeing it from high above, I realized why I love New York so much. This city is my muse, a life force that sparks creativity and uplifts my soul. It is a constant reminder to always stay involved and curious about life - learning and growing. New York City is an outstanding teacher in how to adapt to the ever-changing rhythms of life; remaining resilient and strong. To live in the moment yet, always moving forward. 

Before I left that day, I took one last look...


"One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years."

-Thomas Wolfe


Have a faaaantastic week, everyone!
X

33 comments:

  1. Wow, Ron, these photos are fantastic!

    Thanks for sharing these beautiful images! I had no idea that Park Avenue building was so tall.

    I feel so happy for you because I know how much you love New York. You'll be living here before you know it!

    Take care, buddy!

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  2. Ron, you make an outstanding ambassador for New York City -- your enthusiasm and love really shine through brilliantly!!

    Love that you finally got to cross an item off your bucket list, going to the top of the Rock. What a fascinating journey, and thank you for taking me along. The highest building I've been in was the former Sears Tower in Chicago, 110 stories. I remember how thrilling that was, and sadly it was way before everybody was carrying cameras.

    Not sure if I'd have been comfortable pointing that Canon straight down, my friend. I'd have been afraid I'd drop it, and gravity would send it sailing right onto some poor dude's head!

    Great photos -- what a clear day you had. Almost as if the city was bedecking itself out just for your visit!!

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  3. Your photos are SO clear! I'm so glad you had such a gorgeous day! And yes, wasn't that elevator ride sooooo fast? I remember it freaking some people out! Great photos of such a great city! I hope you post more from your day!

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  4. OH MY GOD RON, these pictures are AMAZING! I always wondered what kind of camera you use, a Canon. What model is it? The first picture of the exterior of Rockefeller Center is incredible. You really captured the grandness. And the one overlooking the south (with The Empire State Building) made me gasp too. What a phenomenal view!

    Looking forward to seeing more of your photos!

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  5. OK, I have to admit: those views are stunning. I'd say they are well worth the price of the ticket, and it's great that you got to experience something new in the city that you love so much! I've been to the top of the Empire State Building a couple of times, but in retrospect it seems obvious that the one thing missing from the great view up there is, duh - the Empire State Building itself. Great captures!

    And I'm dying to know, where did you go for lunch and what did you have??

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  6. Ron, you know how much I admire ALL your photographs, but I have to say that these images of New York are my VERY favorites. Shit man, these are spectacular! You have such a great eye for capturing just the right perspective, making the picture extremely interesting. You always inspire me to notice things that would normally go unnoticed. I love how you SEE things. The two pictures you took looking down are a perfect example, I would have never thought to see that the way you did. Have you always been interested in photography or has it been something you suddenly found an interest in?

    Glad to hear that you finally went to Top of the Rock. And your love for New York shines through.

    Excellent post, dude!

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  7. Hiya Matt!

    Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words: ) Had so much fun going into NYC last week and taking these pictures. I got so excited when I finally walked out on the terrace and looked over Manhattan. I literally GASPED, I kid you not. It's truly the best view of the city.

    Photography is something I have always been interested in, even as a kid. I remember getting my first camera for Christmas when I was about 11-12 years old. It was a Polaroid, which only took black and white pictures. I LOVED it! I've never taking a formal class on photography, I just read books and watch video tutorials about photography, and then try them out on my own camera. I'm pretty much self-taught. But it's something I love to do.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a super week!
    X

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  8. " And yes, wasn't that elevator ride sooooo fast? I remember it freaking some people out!"

    OMG...I was not expecting it to move THAT fast! And I also wasn't expecting the lights to go out inside after the doors closed, and the overhead lights coming on so that you could see the inside of the elevator shaft as it FLEW to the top. Coming down was even scarier!

    I was so happy to finally go to Top of the Rock! The view was even better than I imagined it would be.

    Yes, I have more photographs of that day, which I will shared in my next post.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaaaabulous week!
    X

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  9. Helloooooooo there Candice!

    Aw...thank you :) I had SO MUCH fun taking these pictures at the Top of the Rock! I was up there for about an hour and got so many shots. It took me over two days to sift through them all and discard some, while editing others.

    I have a Canon EOS Rebel T5. I got it about three years ago and am really enjoying it. It's taught me a lot about photography because I can use it manually as well an automatic.

    The view from Top of the Rock is by far, the most attractive view of the city. I love that you can see The Empire State Building.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fabulous rest of your week!
    X

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  10. Hey there Rob!

    I know, can you believe how HIGH Park Avenue is?!?! When I looked it up online, I was shocked. That is one TALL building!!! I work with a guy who knew someone at one time who rented one of the condominiums in that building.

    I had so much fun in the city that day. Can't wait to finally LIVE there!

    Have a faaaaabulous week, buddy. And thanks so much for stopping by!
    X

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  11. Hello there Debbie!

    Thank you for your sweet words, my friend. New York City has always been and will always be my most powerful muse because it's a city that inspires and teaches me so much. From the time I was 14 years old (the first time I visited that city), it touched my heart and felt like home.

    "The highest building I've been in was the former Sears Tower in Chicago, 110 stories."

    WOW...that is one TALL building! I've seen pictures of Sears Tower, but have never visited. I'm sure the view was AMAZING!

    "Not sure if I'd have been comfortable pointing that Canon straight down, my friend. I'd have been afraid I'd drop it, and gravity would send it sailing right onto some poor dude's head!"

    HA! I had the camera strap securely wrapped around my neck at the time I took those photographs. However, it still gave me a scare because I was very close to the edge, which freaked me out because I don't mind heights as long as I'm looking OUT, but looking DOWN is a completely different story.

    I was so happy that the weather was congenial that day because the previous days were nothing but rain, snow, and bitter wind. However, Wednesday was faaaaaabulous!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great rest of your week!
    X

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  12. Hey there Mark!

    Aw...thank you, my friend. I was sooooooooooo happy to finally get to the Top of the Rock and see New York and take some photographs. Honestly, the second I walked out onto that terrace and saw that view of The Empire State Building, I was awestruck by the view!

    " but in retrospect it seems obvious that the one thing missing from the great view up there is, duh - the Empire State Building itself."

    Yes...that's exactly the thing that so many photographers say about the view from Rockefeller Center, it's the only view that allows you to see EVERY landmark building in Manhattan, including The Empire State Building. The view is freaking AMAZING!

    I ate lunch at a place called Green Cafe. I had the Walnut Chicken Salad Wrap that was delicious! YUM-MY!

    Have a faaaaaabulous rest of your week, and thanks so much for stopping by!

    X to you and Tara

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  13. Your photos are awesome, Ron! What a fabulous day you had :-) I am so glad that you made the trip up there... the views of the Empire State are spectacular! I loved TOTR... loved the Empire State just that bit more... but they both have their pros.
    I loved the elevator ride but it was sooooo FAST!
    Have a wonderful week... and I hope to get on here more often to catch up! Life is just getting in the way lately...

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  14. Ooooh.... Oooooh I am soooo envious. You lucky thing going up to the top. Thankfully you took your camera so that I can feast on those dramatic buildings. The views are astonishing. Thomas Wolfe got it absolutely right. I would audibly gasp as well if I was there. I tried to select a favourite view but gave up since all views are amazing. The one that struck home though was the Park Avenue Condominiums... people actually live in them? It would take hours to get to the top, tough if you were hungry!!

    Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with us.... and the experience.

    Have a great rest of the week, my friend.

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  15. Ron, being a native New Yorker your beautiful words and sentiments moved me to tears. Everything you said about this city is spot on, and things I often forget because I haven't lived there in years. You always make me miss my hometown. For not being born there, you have such a deep understand for New York, so I totally understand why you want to live there. You BELONG there.

    These pictures are stunning! WOW! That final one overlooking The Empire State Building is breathtaking.

    I am so happy that you got to go to the Top of the Rock. Can't wait to see more pics from your day there.

    Have a wonderful week, Ron X

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  16. Hola Denise!

    I actually got a bit teary-eyed while looking out over the city that day because it moved me so much. I was up there for about and hour and didn't want to leave. It was very windy that day and a couple of times I felt like I was going to blow off - HA!

    "For not being born there, you have such a deep understand for New York, so I totally understand why you want to live there. You BELONG there."

    From the very first time I visited New York, I was instantly in love; feeling as if I always belonged there. It's a city that makes my heart swell and feels like a good friend.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. I have other photos from my day there, which I will be sharing soon.

    Have an awesome week and weekend!
    X

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  17. Thank you :)

    I was so excited to finally visit Top of the Rock. I took so many photographs that day that it took me THREE days to go through them all and pick out the ones I wanted to share. I love these pics because they give you a birds-eye view from above, which is so different from actually being down IN the city, walking around. Somehow seeing it above makes me appreciate and love the city even more.

    Thanks so much for your sweet words, my friend! Have a great rest of your week and weekend!
    X

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  18. Hey there Nat!

    So great to see ya, my friend! Thank you, and me too...I am sooooooo glad I finally got to the Top of the Rock. It's the only NYC landmark building I've never gone up, either when I used to live there or during all my visits over the years from Philly.

    "I loved TOTR... loved the Empire State just that bit more... but they both have their pros."

    You're absolutely right, they both have their pros. But what I loved about TOTR is that you can actually SEE The Empire State Building in all its grandeur. The next thing I have to do one of these days is go to the top of the Freedom Tower.

    OMG....wasn't the elevator ride FAST? I wasn't expecting that.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a faaaaabulous rest of your week!

    X

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  19. Hellooooooo there Valerie!

    OMG...you have no idea how excited and thrilled I was when I got to NYC that day; bought my ticket; and then took the elevator to the TOP. It was such a moving experience for me; not because of the spectaculars views, but also because I love that city so much. And seeing from above, made me realize why I love it.

    "The one that struck home though was the Park Avenue Condominiums... people actually live in them? It would take hours to get to the top, tough if you were hungry!!"

    Yes, can you believe how HIGH that building is?!? I honestly don't know if I could live in a building that high. I mean what would happen if the elevator should go out? How would one get up and down? I read somewhere that the penthouse condo price is 85 MILLION dollars!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaabulous rest of your week!

    X

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  20. Beautiful photos! They are all so sharp. And they really give you a great sense of the city. But do you know what I like best about this post? It's that I know how very much you love this city and you're excitement makes me happy. I'm so glad you went!

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  21. Absolutely breathtaking!! I'm so glad you shared your pics with us. I'm sure this was a thrill you'll remember long after the pics are files away. Hey....I have an idea....take the best ones and get canvas prints made for your New York casa next year!

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  22. "Hey....I have an idea....take the best ones and get canvas prints made for your New York casa next year!"

    That's an AWESOME idea, Lisa, and thanks for the brilliant suggestion. I have most of photographs taken over the years stored on a cloud, just in case I need them for something in the future. And I already have an account with Zazzle, so it will be easy for me to make canvas prints there.

    And yes, it was a thrill to experience this. I felt like a giddy little kid as I was walking through the city to Rockefeller Center. And then when I finally got up there and saw the view....I was smiling from ear to ear.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous weekend!
    X

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  23. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comThursday, February 01, 2018

    Hurray - you made it to the Top! Your photos are just fabulous! I love the gothic looking iron fencing, don't you? Fabulous shots!

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  24. Thank you, Fiona :)

    I was sooooooo happy to finally make it to the Top! I took a ton of photographs because I was up there for about an hour.

    "I love the gothic looking iron fencing, don't you? "

    Yes, isn't it faaaaaaabulous?

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend!
    X

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  25. Wow, such stunning pictures! I've been to NYC numerous times but never to the Top of The Rock. I agree about the energy that the City projects. There's something unique about it. Kind of like Paris, yet a little different. It's wonderful that one can pop in to get their dose of inspiration!

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  26. Greetings Susu!

    I lived in NYC for five years and have visited numerous times since moving back East 16 years ago and yet had never been to Top of the Rock, so I was VERY excited to experience it. And I have to say, the view was even more impressive than I ever imagined.

    "I agree about the energy that the City projects. There's something unique about it. Kind of like Paris, yet a little different."

    You said it perfectly. And even though I've never been to Paris, I'm absolutely sure you're correct because anyone I've ever spoken to who has lived/been there said it's an amazing/magical city!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're enjoying a fantastic weekend!
    X

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  27. Ron, these pictures are stupendous! They look like they could be published in a travel magazine about New York City, they look THAT professional! I've watched your camera skills getting better and better with each passing year. It amazes me that you're self-taught!

    When I look at these pictures of my city, they make my heart swell with pride because it really is such an amazing city with so much to offer.

    New York City is your muse!. And it is so evident in the way you speak.

    Wonderful post, Ron X

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  28. You inspire me to do the same, Ron. Thanks!

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  29. Aw.....thank you, Elaine :) I'm one of those people who likes to investigate HOW to do something and then try it out on my own. I seem to learn better that way - trial and error. It was the same with acting, I learned so much more by just DOING it and learning HOW.

    "When I look at these pictures of my city, they make my heart swell with pride because it really is such an amazing city with so much to offer."

    Me too. And I agree....it is such an amazing city!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Hope your weekend was GRAND!

    X

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  30. OH MY! Fantastic photos Ron! I could not have gotten within 10 feet of the edge. I can't image EVER living in that super tall condos. You are a brave one...

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  31. Hey Ron! I haven't been back to the city since before 9/11 and I still remember sitting at Windows on the World having cocktails...just marveling at all of the lights and the "ENERGY" of the city! Your passion is contagious in these posts where you pour your heart and sould in to these NYC photo sessions!! Your pics are AMAZING...absolutely amazing!! When I worked at the Xerox Tower downtown Rochester...I worked on the 27th floor. I could not have worked in a bldg that was ANY higher than that!! Seriously...my knees would really go weak when I got close to the winow. And...we used to have fire drills with the fire department and instead of going down the stairs...we had to go UP to the roof!! It was pretty scary! I was wondering when you were going to be actually moving to NYC?? Sounds like the time is fast approaching! What an incredible journey for you to be on...moving back to the city that inspires your creative muse!! Way to go my friend!! Way to go!! xo Jeanne and the girlz

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  32. Thanks, Pat :)

    Normally, I am VERY afraid of heights, however, I was so excited to just be up there, looking over Manhattan, that I just did it. I will say though, that some of these photographs gave me a bit of a scare, looking down.

    "I can't image EVER living in that super tall condos."

    Yup...me neither. Yikes!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy!

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  33. Hellooooo there Jeanne!

    " I haven't been back to the city since before 9/11 and I still remember sitting at Windows on the World having cocktails...just marveling at all of the lights and the "ENERGY" of the city! "

    OMG...I bet that was AWESOME!!! I had only been to the observation deck of the World Trade Center once, just a few months before the terrorist attacks. And I remember how glorious that view was.

    "Your passion is contagious in these posts where you pour your heart and soul in to these NYC photo sessions!"

    Thank you. I LOVE NYC so much because its magnificent energy. It really inspires me!

    " I could not have worked in a bldg that was ANY higher than that!! Seriously...my knees would really go weak when I got close to the window."

    I'm the same way, I can look OUT, but I cannot look DOWN when it comes to high heights. I live on the 22nd floor of my apartment building and even that frightens me if I look directly down.

    I'm moving to NYC at the end of the summer, when my lease is up. So I'll be moving right at the start of Fall (September). I gave myself this time so that I could slowly prepare my move. I already have the job set, it's deciding on a place to live that will take the most time.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope all is well with you, your husband, and the doggies!

    X

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