When I go to New York, I stay with my dear friend David.
After a good night’s rest, Alden, David, and I headed out this morning, looking for the kind of adventure that is not to be found in Chestertown:
Tall buildings, interestingly shaped buildings, for example:
And interesting paintings on walls.
And threatening signage.
Ah, the wonders of city life. We walked north until we reached the southernmost entrance of the High Line, a mile-long section of an old elevated rail platform that has been converted into a park. 
The High Line is an improbable oasis of green space and thoughtful design that runs right through the middle of things.
The city is there on either side, but up in the park, it’s like being in another world.
A world where wedding photography happens against the backdrop of city traffic.
By far, Alden’s favorite part of the High Line was the benches. Not just walking on top of them…
…but climbing through them. What the bench designer probably didn’t realize, is how appealing the tunnel created by the armrest would be.
So appealing.
More appealing than you could ever understand.
There are dozens and dozens of benches like this one along the High Line.
Alden had to crawl through every one of them.
While she was doing her thing, I got to look around.
My favorite thing might have been this billboard.
Look what great design can do to enliven an urban space.
I loved being able to get right up next to it.
I was also fond of this building where, were I young and hip (and extremely wealthy), I might like to live for a while.
Look at the texture.
We don’t have surfaces like this in Chestertown.
Did I mention Alden’s enthusiasm for the drinking fountains?
They were designed so as to be just reachable for her four-year-old self. It was a stirring tale of hydration, and personal empowerment, on the High Line.
It’s nap time now, and as I look through my photos of the High Line, I realize I didn’t do justice to the beauty of the place. I’ll try to remedy this later in the week when Robbi arrives with the boys and we head there again.
Next up: a journey to Chinatown for hand-pulled noodles. After the nap.
