Four months in The Apple...October 16, 2004

(photos by Nathaniel Lieberman (c)1990)

On the train back from Garrison, NY--a little train stop directly across the Hudson River from West Point. That is where I wanted to go. I planned out my route, made sure I had the trains right, talked to the man in the info kiosk who confirmed my itinerary--"Just take the ferry across the river..."

The ferry is for cadets and their guests only.

So I sat a picnic table adjacent to the mini-mart, drinking a Diet Coke, and gazed across the river at West Point. I just wonder about the history there. Patton, Eisenhower, U.S. Grant, Macarthur, Schwarzkopf--they all attended West Point. Could I have made it in on my academics prowess? Could I have survived the physical requirements?

I called Kerry and relayed my disappointment and she was very sad for me. However, not soon after I received a call from my loving wife and she tells me that she has scheduled a tour at West Point for me for next Saturday. I will leave on a bus from the Port Authority and go directly into the Academy. After the tour I will take the bus back. It leaves at 0815. I will have to set an early alarm to get over to 34th in time.

So here I sit alone on a train again. From Garrison the train will head south along the Hudson River and travel through small upstate New York towns--Tarrytown, Spyten Dayvil, South Yonkers.

The leaves are beginning to change. By next weekend I believe they will be in full fall color. That is a sight I have not seen in many years. That will make the bus ride North even more enjoyable.

This weekend's weather has changed from what I am used to. It has been getting colder and the wind is picking up. At least its not another weekend in the Village.

Tim S. is going to be off on Monday so I will be able to focus on my project.

I think I will grab a late lunch once we pull into Grand Central Station.



I see all these people in NYC. Vast amounts of humanity walking the narrow streets on this island called New York. All these different beliefs, thought, habits, opinions, fears and goals. Millions of minds all thinking of something, dreaming, observing, making plans. Some seem very content with their lot in life while others seem to want more and act like they don't have enough. I fear I am in the latter. I pined for going to West Point. I romanticize missed opportunities in the past. Now, 40 is coming around the corner and I am feeling the rest of my life is going to be downhill.

Looking at my life, I need to make some decisions, make some goals, ignore the distractions and focus on the future.



1534: Kerry just called and told me she has made reservations at Nobu for my birthday...