Walking the High Line – Nature in the Urban Jungle

A day trip to New York City usually includes Central Park in the agenda, but some of the city’s less famous parks can be just as interesting and relaxing. One of these unique parks is the High Line.

Located between 10th and 11th Avenues, the High Line stretches above the city streets on an elevated railroad track constructed in the 1930’s that had been abandoned by 1980 and was converted into a park starting in 2006. The park runs in a north to south direction and currently stretches between Gansevoort Street at the southern end up to West 30th Street. Expansion to West 34th Street is planned for the future.

Michele and I took a summer day trip to explore the High Line and see how nature had been introduced to the old railroad track. We decided to walk north, starting at the West 14th Street entrance. On this beautiful Saturday afternoon the High Line was a popular place for folks to spend their weekend. Later that day we chatted with some locals and learned that if you come during the week it’s possible to beat the crowds.

Although I’m no expert when it comes to knowing all of the various types of flowers and plants, I found many great photo opportunities.

A few businesses operate on the High Line, such as The Porch, were we stopped to relax for a bit and have a cold drink. Entrance and exit walkways along the way make it easy to drop into the stores underneath.

We walked the High Line as far as West 23rd Street, and decided to exit there to check out some other nearby points of interest.

If you’re only looking for nature then any of New York City’s parks will suffice, but if your interest is in how nature is introduced into the urban landscape, be sure to take a walk on the High Line.

TRAVEL TIPS:

The High Line is located between 10th and 11th Avenues and runs north to south between West 30th Street and Gansevoort Street, with future expansion planned. The A/C/E Subway is the most convenient public transit method to get to the High Line.

The park is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

There are several entrance/exit points along the way and several have elevators for wheelchair access.

Bicycles, skateboards, and picking flowers and plants are prohibited

More Than Sun and Sand in Barbados - Andromeda Botanical Gardens

Carribean islands generally sell themselves on the tropical beaches, but with a little bit of exploring it’s possible to find equally relaxing spots away from the ocean. Michele and I were already enjoying our first couple of days at the Coconut Court in Hastings, on the south coast of Barbados, and decided to take a day to explore the eastern part of the island. The Andromeda Botanical Gardens in Saint Joseph Parish near the town of Bathsheba was the destination of choice.

Getting to the gardens meant a bus ride across the island from Bridgetown, an interesting ride itself. After leaving the city, the bus passed sugar cane fields through the rugged interior of the island and then descended downhill toward the Atlantic Ocean. Here there was a convenient stop next to the Botanical Gardens. The trip took roughly 40 minutes with the stops along the way, the public transportation in Barbados is reliable and destinations all over the island can be reached easily for a day trip.

The Gardens have two main nature trails, one goes up the hillside and the other is relatively flat. We were given a guide sheet to the trails that described the various plants and also gave a little bit of history on the Gardens. Started by the Bannochie family, local horticulturists, the Andromeda Botanical Gardens became part of the Barbados National Trust when Mrs. Bannochie passed away. The diverse species include orchids, ferns, bougainvillea, palms and cacti that all thrive in a tropical climate.

We walked both trails, starting with the steeper of the two and then finishing with the easy trail. It didn’t prove to be a problem, since we were constantly stopping to photograph the flowers and trees. We also discovered some ponds, one full of lounging frogs and a vigilant kingfisher standing nearby, the other full of fish and aquatic plants. With plenty of area and not overcrowded with visitors, it was a very peaceful experience to explore at a leisurely pace.

At the end of our trek we relaxed and had a bite to eat at the visitors center before catching the bus back to Bridgetown.

If you’re looking for a break from the beach, interested in photography, or just searching for a zen experience, the Andromeda Botanical Gardens might be the perfect day trip!




TRAVEL TIPS:

Getting to the Andromeda Botanical Gardens requires taking the Bathsheba bus from Bridgetown if you do not have your own private transportation. The Bathsheba bus leaves from the Fairchild terminal in Bridgetown and schedules are posted in the terminal. The bus fare is $1.50 BDS.

The Gardens are open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the admission fee is $17.50 BDS for adults. A gift shop and cafe are located at the visitors center. The café offers several lunch choices at reasonable prices.

Stay hydrated while walking the trails. There is plenty of shade, but afternoon temperatures are hot.