24 States in 27 Days - Day 16:

Oct. 25th, 2012, Thursday: Brad had to do a bit of sign design work before we could go explore more of Manhattan, so it was almost 11:30 when we finally left, going west from Jerry’s condo to a bike / walking path along the Hudson River. 

The One World Trade Center in the background, under construction.

It was a more leisurely walk today, no bustling crowds to keep up with, just the occasional jogger, or dog walker passing by. We hiked all the way to the southern point of Manhattan - Battery Park where you could view the Statue of Liberty off in the distance. 

From there we went north, around the World Trade Center area, then down Greenwich St. hoping to catch some of the Greenwich Village scene. 

Instead we walked past lots of concrete warehouses, parking garages, nothing much to spark our interest. Our feet were killing us so we headed up to Jerry’s for a break and bite to eat around 3ish. We both did some computer work, then since Brad was antsy to go, we took off, this time to the High Line Elevated park - a walkway above the street level in west NYC. 

Our pick-up parked outside the condo.

On our way to the High Line Park.

It went for about 30 blocks, all above and overlooking Manhattan with great people spaces. 

It had wide pathways and narrow ones, bench seats, and areas with stadium seating looking down thru glass to the road below. 

There were a lot of plants and trees creating a fabulous park space for all the people up there exploring like we were. 

Looking down on a road from up on the High Line.

Fun murals.

We zoomed along, stopped for pics, then zoomed some more. At one point we were halted by a class of high school students, walking 3 across totally oblivious to anyone behind them. We walked all the way to the end, although Brad was ready to descend before we got there. I told him it’s like having to watch the credits when movies are over - I didn’t want to miss a possible surprise at the end! There wasn’t anything at this north end, aside from the potential to continue further some day, so we descended stairs into another construction zone - so many in NYC - walked to 10th and headed south. 

You can see the High Line park behind Jana.

Jana, next to the mural we saw from High Line Park (see above).

Stadium seating with glass windows seen from the street below the High Line.

We soon started seeing fun shops and places we’d spotted from up on the High Line. Brad got a text message from Jerry saying we’re going out tonight to meet some of their friends - aim for 6-6:30 to be home, so we hurried a bit, as much as our tired, sore feet could handle. We went into the Chelsea Mkt. an indoor market with ”pop-up” vendors selling used clothes, tables of jewelry, bags, etc. then walked through a block long market with cafes, bakeries, food and tons of Halloween decor - creepy things hanging everywhere! People really decorate for this holiday east of the Mississippi! From there we went down 8th and through the true Chelsea district. We were wishing we had more time to explore.

A rare bit of color and greenery in Chelsea in October. 

The Condo Elevator.

Back at the condo we uploaded and perused photos until Jerry, then Jason arrived, bringing their very well behaved labs, Jack and Diane. Downstairs past the doormen we four hopped into a taxi - our first NYC taxi experience. After directions were given to the driver we soon were lurching our way through Manhattan towards Brooklyn. The driver charged through green lights, squeezed past cars and finally crossed over the Williamsburg bridge into Williamsburg, a supposedly up and coming “hipster” area of Brooklyn. At the bar, we met two friends of theirs - one that was DJ-ing the music that evening. We were seated in the back and enjoyed a terrific meal of raw oysters, lamb tartar with pastry, amazing goat cheese with pickled anchovies and peppers with crostini, along with our main dishes - chicken medallions for Brad and stuffed squash with polenta and kale for me. Mmm! After dinner we moved into the bar and hung out ‘til late, returning to the condo in another taxi, tired and ready for bed after another very fun adventure! Thank you Jerry and Jason!