Belvedere Castle in Central Park

 Take a look at the picture below....do you recognize it?

                                                            Maybe a closer view?

For my kids, this was the home of Count von Count (Sesame Street). For my grandkids, Gargamel used this castle as his headquarters in his plan to capture the Smurfs in the movie, The Smurfs.

The name of this beautiful little 'folly' in Central Park is Belvedere Castle. (A 'folly' is an ornamental building usually found in a garden with no practical purpose.) Built on top of a huge rock in 1867 by one of the designers of Central Park, it provides impressive views of New York's 'backyard'...

...like this one. ('Belvedere' actually means 'beautiful view' in Italian.) Since 1919, it has been used to mark wind velocity and rainfall making it the official weather station in Central Park.

From the castle, you also get a great view of the stage and audience of 'Shakespeare in the Park' productions.

Making our way back home, we are impressed with all the beautiful lakes in Central Park.

Grandma looks as though Grandpa just pulled her out of the lake! Yes, the humidity is playing havoc with my hair!

You've got to love this park, though.  We NEVER get tired of walking around our 'home away from home' in New York City!

We love serving in the Temple and at night being able to see all that New York City has to offer.  We are truly blessed.