The High Line & Chelsea Piers

Living in a concrete jungle it is rare to find peace and quiet. Being from Oregon- especially Corvallis it is so easy to find somewhere quiet to be alone. I have been told to walk the High Line so one Saturday that is just what I did. I walked to the beginning of the High Line- a linear park that is built on a one mile former elevated New York City Railroad tracks. Since New York City is already so crowded- they now have to build parks above ground I guess...

I began walking down the high line basically in awe of what they had created. An oasis above a city in a way. I found green bushes, flowers and even nice manicured grass! Besides Washington Square Park and Central Park green isn't New York's thing. It was gorgeous just to walk down the High Line and enjoy the fresh oxygen that was being produced. You could almost taste how clean it was next to the trees! 

The paths were very nicely done, so areas had water features, benches and there were even nice small food carts along the path. One of my favorite things I saw on the High Line was the Kiss the War Goodbye graffiti art that was visible from the path. The High Line was beautiful - enjoying the greenery, the old tracks and the beautiful view was a perfect way to start my day. Nearing the end of the High Line I found an exit and went down and ended up right next to the Chelsea Piers- and when I said that the High Line was an oasis- then the Chelsea Piers are heaven.  

I walked through all of the Piers(59-63) and found my favorite. The end of Pier 62. About 10 small tables, and a gorgeous view with slight wind so you don't get too hot. From the end of this pier you can see the Freedom Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, the Jersey Coastline, the Manhattan Skyline and the Empire State building. I don't know if there is anywhere else in the city where you can see all of those things at once. 

I had plans that day to wander around Chelsea- but I looked at the view, the 2 other people on the pier and thought- I am not going to leave here all day. And that is exactly what I did. Well I did leave- to gather supplies for the most amazing day. Oh and since it was the 4th of July weekend the city was dead and not many tourists come to the pier so it was extra quiet. 

I went on over to the Chelsea Market which is a food court, shopping mall, office building and television production facility all in one. It was an experience to walk in there to say the least. I stopped at the first shop in there which was a Wine shop. Wandering around to find something cheap and well cheap. With my budget the cheaper the better. I got a nice small bottle of white wine and went across the street to Artichoke Pizza- one of the famous Pizza spots in New York. Not knowing what slice I wanted- the two nice men where happy to tell me that I should really order the artichoke pizza since they named the restaurant after it. But me being a picky eater- did not want artichokes. I stuck with a basic margarita which looked like it had extra sauce and light cheese- just the way a pizza should be- add on pineapple to it and I would be a happy girl. When I tried the artichoke pizza it basically tasted like spinach and artichoke dip heated up with a pizza crust. Good- but not for me that day.I then made my way back to the pier and opened up the wine and a book and basically never left. 

You wouldn't leave either would you? 

I finally spent a day here relaxing and enjoying the day and really thinking- I could live here. Not forever- but I could for a few years. I finally feel that I have made it in a way, enjoying the day like a true New Yorker would. I'm no Carrie Bradshaw but I am doing what she did best- enjoying every moment New York City hands to you. 

xoxo