"If humans were to vanish from New York (and the face of the planet), how soon would nature take over? Scientists predict that within: 10 YEARS: Sidewalks crack and weeds invade. Hawks and falcons flourish, as do feral cats and dogs. The rat population, deprived of human garbage, crashes. Cockroaches, which thrive in warm buildings, disappear. Cultivated carrots, cabbages, broccoli, and brussels sprouts revert to their wild ancestors. 20 YEARS: Water-soaked steel columns supporting subway tunnels corrode and buckle. Bears and wolves invade Central Park."
It goes on like this, but certain details of the article mention tree saplings filling in sidewalk and street cracks, and rising groundwater flooding subways and cratering streets. A lightning strike could and would burn the city. Virginia creeper and poison ivy -- and probably regular ivy -- would cover walls. Pigeons would slowly revert to rock doves. Autumn olives, apples, sunflowers, goldenrod... coyotes, deer, bears, wolves... frogs, alewives (fish), herring, mussels...
The upshot of this is that I think it's likely Duo and his kids would be used to weeds filling the city, and be starting to see recognizeable trees (saplings). They might also have to hunt birds instead of rats. It might be getting imperative to escape the city, as buildings may be starting to completely collapse. I would bet there's broken glass all over every street.
A well-made home in the country may last longer, if it's made mainly of stone... maybe a church or cloister or something. Duo may have to be someplace other than America, though, since I think we tend towards wooden buildings in the countryside...
no subject
"If humans were to vanish from New York (and the face of the planet), how soon would nature take over? Scientists predict that within:
10 YEARS: Sidewalks crack and weeds invade. Hawks and falcons flourish, as do feral cats and dogs. The rat population, deprived of human garbage, crashes. Cockroaches, which thrive in warm buildings, disappear. Cultivated carrots, cabbages, broccoli, and brussels sprouts revert to their wild ancestors.
20 YEARS: Water-soaked steel columns supporting subway tunnels corrode and buckle. Bears and wolves invade Central Park."
It goes on like this, but certain details of the article mention tree saplings filling in sidewalk and street cracks, and rising groundwater flooding subways and cratering streets. A lightning strike could and would burn the city. Virginia creeper and poison ivy -- and probably regular ivy -- would cover walls. Pigeons would slowly revert to rock doves. Autumn olives, apples, sunflowers, goldenrod... coyotes, deer, bears, wolves... frogs, alewives (fish), herring, mussels...
The upshot of this is that I think it's likely Duo and his kids would be used to weeds filling the city, and be starting to see recognizeable trees (saplings). They might also have to hunt birds instead of rats. It might be getting imperative to escape the city, as buildings may be starting to completely collapse. I would bet there's broken glass all over every street.
A well-made home in the country may last longer, if it's made mainly of stone... maybe a church or cloister or something. Duo may have to be someplace other than America, though, since I think we tend towards wooden buildings in the countryside...
Excuse me, I'm babbling.