The Google Trike, "a panoramic camera system with nine lenses mounted on an oversize tricycle," was in New York this week, photographing Central Park for posterity (and Google Street View). Central Park will be joined by the High Line, Clearview Park Golf Course, Dyker Beach Park,and Pelham Bay Park in the search giant's visual index. It's nice for people who can't make it to New York, of course, and also for shut-ins!

“I have a funny back, and I sometimes can’t do the long distances,” said Cathy O’Connor, a 64-year-old administrator who is partial to the northwest section. “It would be nice to just see it on my computer.”

Nature lovers! This is exactly what Henry David Thoreau dreamed of.