Albany

Took a very nice tour around the city of Albany this afternoon with Kalli on yet another cold January day.  We started by going to 81 acre Washington Park, the city's premier park and a very beautiful recreational area in an urban setting.  The park is mostly surrounded by residential areas and is the sight of many festivals and gatherings throughout the year.
We parked along Washington Park Road following the wide road to the south and west.
Park Playhouse, a 900 seat amphitheater is constructed on the backside of the lake house, offering shows to over 60,000 spectators a year as well as a recent holiday show.

 A dusting of snow and large Christmas wreath on a hillside.

 While there are no formal trails, there are paved roads, open fields and foot paths throughout.

 A 5.2 acre body of water known as Washington Park Lake is located in the southwestern corner of the park.  The lake is roughly 1600 feet long and 140 feet wide, with a pedestrian footbridge that is the only remaining original structure in the entire park.

 The pedestrian footbridge, built all the way back in 1875.

 An informal but clear footpath follows the shoreline of the lake.

 A weeping willow tree leaning over the frozen lake.

 A wooden lake house built in 1876 and was replaced by a more modern brick lake house in 1929.

A cold breeze and temps in the low 20's made for a cold winter walk.

 Benches can be found throughout the park, allowing for many chances to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

 King Memorial Fountain is a fountain erected in 1893 with a monumental bronze statue of Moses and four Israelite slaves surrounding it.  The four slaves represent the four stages of life: infancy, youth, adulthood, and old age.

A leaning, twisting tree.

 There are many lamp poles throughout the park, keeping the grounds well lit even after dark.

 A series of benches line both sides of the Knox Street Mall on the eastern edge of the park.

 Another interesting tree in the park.

A bronze statue of famous Scottish poet Robert Burns erected in 1888 near Knox Street Mall.

 A nice spot for a picnic...in a few months.

 Looking more like a medieval castle than a private residence, this interesting building is located on Thurlow Terrace just uphill from the lake.

 State Street is a one way eastbound street on the north border with over 60 brick or brownstone townhouses facing the park.

After walking about 3 miles we left Washington Park and headed over to Dino's Pizza on Madison Ave.  There we enjoyed a couple of slices of pizza, before eventually heading a few blocks away to the New York State Capitol.

  Construction began in 1867 and was finally completed in 1899.  It houses the New York State Legislature and is a very impressive structure.  An equestrian structure of General Philip Sheridan stands in front of the Capitol's steps.

 Just across from the Capitol is Albany City Hall with its large clock tower.

 Found this interesting building entrance near the State Capitol along Eagle St.

Looking east directly down State Street towards the D & H Building, which is a SUNY Administration building now.

We eventually made our way to the pedestrian bridge over I-787 to Jennings Plaza.  There we were treated to a better view of the imposing D & H building.

We walked a section of the Hudson-Mohawk Bike path which hugs the frozen Hudson River before finally looping back to the car.