Photo by James Brodsky, my illustrious brother. The Upper West Side as viewed from the Lake, not far from the entrance to the Indian Cave.

Just above 100th Street, the Pool is a peaceful pond surrounded by weeping willows and frequented by great egrets, raccoons, and other wildlife. Selene and Theo pass by on their way to the waterfall.

The Glen Span Arch, built in 1865, marks the entrance to the Ravine, which follows the course of the Loch waterway through the North Woods.

The oldest building in the park, built in 1814 to defend Manhattan from possible British attack. Made of mica schist, lifted from the park itself. Currently roofless and locked, it stands at the top of a craggy hill in the North Woods.

Look for it in Book Two of the Olympus Bound series!

Once the site of the 17th century Dutch village of Harlem, the Meer (Dutch for "lake") now hosts catch-and-release fishing and one of the prettiest spots in the north end of the park.

Built in 1866, the arch marks the northern entrance to the Ravine and Loch. It's an engineering marvel, built of massive granite boulders with no mortar to hold them in place.

My absolute favorite spot in the park, and the site of a memorable moment for Selene and Theo. The water is partly fed from the natural creek, Montayne's Rivulet, and partly from NYC tap water. Montayne's Fonteyn, the original natural spring, is only a few steps away.

On the north side of the Conservatory Garden is a French-style garden. The Three Dancing Maidens fountain by Walter Schott, also known as the Untermyer Fountain, always reminds me of nymphs at play. In the spring, it's surrounded by tulips. In the fall, mums.

The English-style garden on the south side of the Conservatory Garden is a riot of color from spring to early fall. In it's center, the France Hodgeson Burnett Memorial Fountain by Bessie Potter Vonnoh, depicting characters from The Secret Garden.

Beneath the Frances Hodgeson Burnett fountain lies a small pool filled with water lilies and koi. This is where Selene procures a water lily, also known as lotus blossom.

You never know what birds you'll see in Central Park. Unknown to many, it's one of the best birding spots in the country. We have far more than pigeons!