Existing Edifice + Big Idea = High Line

What led to the elevated train system in New York City is nothing new. The term “road rage” best defined as the aggressive, angry behavior by an automobile driver, hits the airwaves in the 1980s around the same time that gentrification and the “yuppie” takes Manhattan. “Going Green” in the streets of the city, new bicycle lanes once again keep pedestrians on their toes. Hello, High Line.

During a time most people can agree as a period of great advancements, New York City was at critical mass, it was the mid-1850s traffic jams became a way of life, not only did manure make getting around town difficult but the number of horse drawn vehicles; wagons, livery, and individual carriages clogged the streets, not to mention the pushcart trade, there was simply no way for someone to get from here to there with any expediency. Take it off the streets, the obvious solution, either by going over them or by going under them, electricity not yet the viable option, the rapid transit system was born in the elevated train.

With landmark status the last of the standing “El Trains” as they were known has been given new purpose, originally known as the ‘tracks to nowhere’ the Tenth Avenue El is the new beat in town. Overhauled and landscaped it gives the pedestrian a little slice of heaven right here on earth. This venture has revitalized an almost defunct warehouse district into an open-air promenade with a festival atmosphere.

K-BOOM! NYC FIREWORKS! HAPPY 4th of July :-)

Great celebration and good friends!

The sight is awesome and something to behold, the most spectacular thing is seeing the burst and the flares; however, the delay of the boom bounces off of the tall buildings giving the event the ultimate 3D visual as some explosions expanded in space moving towards us with surround sound, boom, boom, K-BOOM!

Emulating 'bombs bursting in air,' hairs rise with every flare, burst, shower, flash, sparkle, spill, and then evaporates into smoke. The anticipation is so moving.

Spending the 4^th of July with hometown friend, Melanie Northrop Nichols, I met her after she snagged free tickets to the Statue of Liberty, we started our day around 1:00pm strolling along the Brooklyn Heights promenade where I shared Revolutionary war history, the Battle of Brooklyn August 27 – 29, 1776 one of General George Washington’s first escapes & foils the Red Coats plans, where he and his troupes crossed the East River on a very dark rainy night. We truly shared, and enjoyed a red, white, & blue banner day!

Happy 4^th of July! Thank you Melanie.

Seeing the Sights, Central Park

New York City from the perspective of first time visitors may find the sights, sounds, and smells more than unfamiliar. The polish of a sleek brochure or familiar photo cannot capture the essence of daily life. As much as the streets are the veins of life of New York, visitors are welcome, let me show you in person.

Welcoming visitors to New York City is my pleasure. One Token Tours, a sightseeing service, I welcome curious individuals no matter how you are dressed, I just insist on comfortable shoes. We are visiting the Angel of the Water, Bethesda Terrace, one of the most beautiful statues in Central Park.

Wearing comfortable shoes, walking with confidence, the only way to avoid looking like a tourist if that is a goal, I myself, I live my life as the ultimate tourist because everyday an opportunity for something interesting exists. A camera in hand, embrace your inner tourist as I share some of my favorite places with you.

Sharing this ‘City’ with these four ladies made my weekend in New York City special!

From left to right:

Connie Free, Becky York, Linda Banks, Samantha Zorn