I have a love/hate relationship with New York City. The bright lights, energy and controlled chaos are exciting and alluring at first. And then as the days go by, it becomes a touch overwhelming and I find myself wishing I could find a place to hide out from it all to recharge. On previous trips, I’ve used parts of Central Park to regain a sense of normalcy – those parts where the noise from the city disappears and you feel like you’re completely surrounded by nature. On my most recent trip, while I never made it to Central Park, I found another spot to get away from it all for a spell – the High Line park along the west side of lower Manhattan.

What makes this such a special place, both disconnected from New York, but also entirely in its place in the city? Many things… and on my visit, it started with a couple dancing on a park bench as the sun set that brought a smile to my face.

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