5 Boroughs in 5 Days: Queens

Queens has plenty of beautiful things to see, though I don’t spend much time there.  More often it’s the chunk of traffic between me and my family or some errand on Long Island.  But today, a deep dive in. My first stop would require binoculars, my camera, and a hefty dose of deet-free bug repellant: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, part of Gateway National Recreation Area which spans parts of New York City and New Jersey.

It was finally a crisp, summer day.  The haze of 90 degree days has given way to a gorgeous blue backdrop to enjoy the sanctuary.  Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a very important bird sanctuary that hosts almost half of all bird species in the Northeast within its 20 square miles at some point in the year. 

An osprey parent watching its nest.

This might be a Forster’s Tern taking flight?

Do you see Manhattan in the distance?

Some crane-y birds 

The sanctuary is beautiful but the mosquitos kind of hurry you on your way.  They had a field day on my face, biting what was not covered in repellant… and some of them even stung me through my shirt.  I guess the intrepid are rewarded with my blood.

A wasp, not a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant

A quick lunch in College Point at Valerio Juice Bar & Vegan Food. A newish all-vegan spot that has an eclectic mix of eats, from sandwiches to traditional Latin dishes like mofungo, Valerio was bustling with area construction workers.  I get a hoot out of manly man types getting vegan food.   

I went for the Sriracha Mayo Vegan, a kind of simple t.l.t. (tofu, lettuce, tomato)

Onward in Queens, a tribute to The Ramones at “The Ramp,” where the teenage soon-to-be Ramones hung out when they were in high school.  The Ramones kind of cool is officially impossible to achieve in this day and age.  Cool, R.I.P, died in the 90’s. Sorry kids.

In Astoria, Welling Court Mural Project has some nice street art. Passing through I took some snaps. Ones that I agreed with.  This:

And definitely this: This is how I think.

Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City has gorgeous views for all the people who live in the new luxury high rises… and all those who wander in.  

Look away, sunflowers

The landmarked Pepsi sign, restored.

A quick snack in Jackson Heights, La Gloria …a Dominican bar/restaurant that has put some vegan things on the menu.  I love vegan options like this!  Vegan options that make you say, “why on Earth has this place got vegan options?!”  But this kind of things happens a lot these days.  I try to not take this for granted.  Here, Buffalo Cauliflower.

Plantain chips and the best guacamole I ever did have.  Moving onward Jackson Heights.

Meanwhile, back on a ferry meeting my friend in the Rockaways. The ferry to Rockaway and, more so, the ferry back after dark, is magical. Just so you know.  It’s a nice long ride with fantastic view the entire way.

But first, some time in the water at Fort Tilden, another part of Gateway National Recreation Area.  

As the sun goes down on Fort Tilden my friend’s bike dies, just like my bike died the last time we took a bike ride together, 9 years ago as documented on my blog!  Oh time, you crazy force. 

Goodnight, Queens.  Sleep tight.