Prior to Irene’s arrival I took my bike & toured from 42nd St down to Battery Park, the ocean as I wanted to see what was going on. The city was a ghost town with almost every window taped up in preparation for Irene. I have no real camera so the shots are pretty bad – but I did find some interesting stuff. It was a magical ride & the energy was something I’d never felt before in this city.

I love this city! : )

Fancy Irene Tape job from last night so I could sleep in relative peace 45 stories up :

Press camped out @ Battery Park in anticipation of Irene

Press @ Battery Park in anticipation of Irene's arrival

EVACUATE TO SAFETY sign on West Side Highway

So – we’re on the ‘backside of the Hurricane’ now as CNN’s  Anderson Cooper do deftly reported while, of course, not one hair was displaced by the gail force winds whipping behind him 🙂

Public Transport is still completely out in the 5 boroughs and NJ is bracing for some major flooding as storm surges and rivers crest tonight and tomorrow. But NYC has taken it well and seems to do the hunkering down thing pretty well when it’s needed.

Finally, just two hours ago, right as she is pulling out Irene’s wind  locked me out of my apartment actually by slamming the door on me & I just got let back in to finish writing you all this update. Thank you Irene – you crazy Hurricane, you!

Hope all of you  are safe & sound & with power

Love & light & dryness & calm for a while 🙂

Heidi & The Subway Diaries