ALWAYS TAKE THE HIGH ROAD....

I have not written for a little while but I hope to get back "on track" now that Fall is here.  I love all the seasons for different reasons but I still think fall in NYC is my most favorite of them all.  The lazy hot and humid summer days are over and a crisp new chill starts to take its place.  The city becomes alive again...restaurants are full and the sidewalks are buzzing with laughter.  People are excited to be back after their last few days at the beach and the sand is replaced by a blanket of vibrant leaves.  I won't try to get too poetic but I have a new rush of energy and excitement because it signifies a "fresh" start for me.   I could ramble on and on but I really want to talk about my walk on the High Line today.  I am a bit embarassed that I had never been before today and if you have not been yet I highly suggest you go!  After walking the entire way I decided to rush home and google more information about it.  I knew some of the basic facts but I really did not know too much about it.  One of the articles I found was written by Mike Lydon for a blog titled Pattern Cities.  It struck a cord with me and I thought I would share with you what I learned.  This piece by Lydon was titled "Does the High Line have a ceiling?"  He talks about Witold Rybczynski's New York Times Piece which highlights a growing list of cities (Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Jersey City) attempting to replicate the High Line's success.  Yet his point is clear...just because it works in New York City does not mean it will work across the Hudson in Jersey City! He also points out that New York City is not the first city to transform an elevated rail line into an urban park...Paris also has done the same with the Prominent Plantee in 1988.  Where am I going with all of this?  I think we will be following this pattern as it continues to expand...the cities that decide to take on a similiar endeavor will hopefully "not copy but continue to adapt and amplify."( Lydon)  That, for now, is what I call taking the high road....I hope to take the high road more often this fall.